first light (for me) of Atik Infinity - M42 5 seconds x 55

[johnsankus]

This was using the Infinity software, 5 seconds x 55 stacks - let the software auto adjust levels.

Youtube broadcast is here:

3.23.2016 broadcast (youtube/hangouts)

Tracking is BAD on my CPC, I believe my RA motor is failing, when i tried to put it on the wedge earlier, it kept straining and even shut off at one point, so I thought was power and switches from a/c adapter to 12v DC into a new diehard jump starter - it was even worse then.  Back to Alt/Az until i get a new EQ mount for it...  time to unfork!

[mrwizard]

It really sounds like you had a very unbalanced telescope, classic signs are the motor straining and having it's built in circuit breaker opening up thus stopping you cold.

Fork mounts only have the option of using forward mounted counterweights on a rail to adjust for a heavy camera, some folks use those ankle weights and sticky tape to do the trick. They (forked mounted scopes) are usually thought to be more stable than a GEM style mount.

Before running out and buying a new mount, I would (after checking the balance), make sure that the grease on all of the mounts bearing points and gears has been cleaned off and then replaced, that should really be done once a year with a high quality, low temperature synthetic lube, like the brand "super lube".

If that doesn't fix the problem, a new motor or a new mount would seem the choice way to go.

I hope that helps you, BTW, I liked your M42/43 shot, looks like the tracking was fine, just a little soft on the focus

Craig in Tacoma
aka MrWizard

[johnsankus]

thanks, found this post by the way

I will try that, but the only extra weight on the telescope is the camera, which is just about the same weight as a diagonal back and a good barlow/eyepiece.

I did not have this problem last year when I had my 0.7x reducer, which is heavier than the Infinity, and my t-adapter + DSLR.

Balance seems not too bad, when I release the clutch, it doesn't flip or anything, it does move a little though. The motor noise and power cut off is recently happening, maybe the last few weeks. When i first had the new mallincam before I returned it, I wedged it with a heavier setup, THEN releasing the clutch would make the scope dive as the one end was WAY heavier.

I've been looking into getting a balance counterweight setup, but thats another $200 to do it correctly, then I have to worry about balancing the forks, which I read is another trick.
It almost seems getting an EQ mount would be "easier" than all of this bolt-on equipment just to do EAA properly.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have went with the AVX and a 6" newt or sct for a beginner telescope

[johnsankus]

So re-reading your post, another question comes to mind. I used the bhatinov mask to focus on reigel; should I have picked a more distant star, or use the software's FWHM numbers to focus on the object in view? Lower means better?

[astrogate]

Mar 24, 2016 18:55:17 GMT johnsankus said:

So re-reading your post, another question comes to mind. I used the bhatinov mask to focus on reigel; should I have picked a more distant star, or use the software's FWHM numbers to focus on the object in view? Lower means better?

John,  I would go with a bright star like Rigel but try to chose it higher up so that the atmosphere is as thin as possible. When using the Bahtinov mask I would not worry about FWHM since that number will vary with seeing and just get that 3rd spike between the other two spikes. FWHM is great to use if you did not have the mask and yes the lower the # the better your focus.

Chris

[astrogate]

Wonderful M42/43 image John and the colors are nicely saturated. Great start to your new cameras and I am sure you will get your mount tracking better.

Chris

[johnsankus]

Thanks Chris - the software deserves ALL the credit honestly. It color balances automatically, and you can see in the video the software automatically sets levels depending on what dragdown method you use (full frame, low, med, hi, meansd, etc). So far, its EASY to use, which is a plus for people like me who feel like a total pleb in this hobby

[Rick in NWArk]

John, there is still much skill involved in getting everything to work together, so don't sell yourself short. Great initial result!