Radar

Greg even though I have sealed the motherboard and cards with circuit board lacquer, I am still thinking about doing something. Most of the year it is quite dry. Only three months a year I need to worry about. I found an easy to use thermostat that outputs twelve volts once a temperature (I set) is reach. This thermostat can also come with a moisture detector to detect dew. So I was thinking of using something like a simple dew heater or nichrome wire that kicks in once conditions near the PC become dangerous. It would be a pretty simple project and the PC I recently had built is 6 core and is the fastest thing I've ever seen, so I really want to look after it. I think this project would be worth the small amount of time and money. I'll checkout the dehumidifier option, could be even easier. Ray

Just got my observatory PC out of the computer repair shop again, new motherboard, new processor, power supply, tower, etc. Computer guy showed me traces of moisture that had wreaked havoc on my previous PC for years. How do others here keep there computers, laptops, PC or other configs immune from dew / moisture / frost / dampness / etc. It is easy to ensure things don't get moist damaged when you are using them, but for PC's inside observatories permanently, there are challenges. I am thinking something like a dew heater on a thermostat that kicks in once it gets to eight degrees or similar could word. Desiccant would not really work because of the air flow that must happen for a PC tower pulling air in from outside the tower. Otherwise spraying the motherboard (front and back) with a lacquer to waterproof it could also work (but this could interfere with plugs etc). The challenge is certainly not beyond me, but I imagine others in colder climates must have already pioneered various paths. Please share. Regards Ray

I found a product called circuit board lacquer. Also called circuit board varnish or clear coat. Dries super fast, does not conduct electricity. For anyone considering this, make sure not to spray it inside any open plugs for obvious reasons. Keep away from fans as well. Moisture proof your observatory electronics people. Ray

Beautiful colours on it either way. Ray

I think you will love NB mate. Its quite a craft. Over the last new moon, I managed to get a few hours on The Swan in Ha. Bad weather since, but the first clear night I get I'll get the SII and OIII data. However the monochrome Ha data is great to look already. I really enjoy NB. Ray

Great timing mate. Ray

Well done Prof. Ray

Wow Prof, that is quite incredible. Ray

They are over engineering their software. Programmers needs to justify their jobs I guess, and by creating new features all the time gives them the work they need. I recently had to fill out my address on a website contact form, and as you start to type, the AI on the site tries to predict your address (anywhere in the world) and inputs your address incorrectly and prevents me from writing it in. Great example of over-engineering and programmers coming up with software that is not necessary and just makes things more annoying to use. Could give you ten other examples. Frustrating, ahh! Ray

I upgraded to Windows 10 on Thursday. I had originally done the free upgrade from 7 to 10, but that resulted in my PC crashing every hour. So I bought a new hard drive, new version of Win 10 and installed it. During the install, Win 10 asks for your Microsoft account details to apparently make your experience seamless. So I punched in my email and password (the setup does not offer a skip feature, so you have no choice), and did the install. Emails on my iPad and iPhone stopped working immediately. Win 10 has some type of setup with my domain / email provider where it can automatically pull the email server settings so that your email instantly appears in their email program Mail. However it doesn't just pull information, these slow witted programmers at Microsoft, combined with the murky thinking of my domain provider, actually allow changes to the server settings without my knowledge or permission, so that any other email program or device stops receiving emails. And to add insult to injury, the domain / email provider cannot offer an insight as to how to fix my emails on my other devices. My emails are only working in Mail, but nowhere else. Hours and hours on the phone Microsoft already as well. Even when copying the same settings from Windows Mail to Outlook or iPhone or iPad, the emails still do not work. The good news is my observatory computer is back up and working, so its not all doom and gloom. Ray

Beautiful work mate. Ray

How are things in Pasadena Tony? Hope you are well mate. Ray

Yes, really takes the joy out of it. Work perfectly now though. So all good. Ray

lol, I know, I'm just looking for the easy way out, but its time to clean them anyway. I have had a long hiatus from AP (work, study, family, broken observatory computer). So I am looking forward to getting some photos right after this full moon goes away. I am thinking Sombrero is well positioned at the moment. Ray

After reinstalling a new hard drive with software, Maxim has forgotten the position of my eight filters. RGB, LUM and narrowband. The filters are mounted as well; not with a steel rim with their name on (just round glass). They were originally installed at QSI before shipping. The software automatically knew what was where. However I can't get the software to recognize them anymore. Rather than open the camera up to access the filter wheel, is there a sneaky way to ascertain which filter is what by looking at a star or nebula? I am using a monochrome camera. Cheers Ray

Hi Dave, Thanks for the offer to borrow a camera. I would only be using a camera like this for star trails, wide-field (piggybacking) and lightning shots (and meteor showers). I can't see myself connecting it to a telescope (have a dedicated CCD for that), but who knows, maybe one day I might. I love the chip size on the 750D. I'm down at Curtin a lot, so maybe I'll swing past when the isolation tapers off. Otherwise you can pop up this way and checkout my observatory (whichever works for you mate). Ray

Is there a limit to exposure time? Could you do a two hour exposure with it? Ray

Wow, I really need a DSLR. I love that viewfinder configuration. What is that camera worth if you don't mind me asking? Ray

I missed this one. Amazing. Ray

That said though Dave, it is much easier looking down at the camera screen than crawling on the floor trying to look up at the camera viewfinder. I used to do a lot of neck cranking manoeuvres when I was shooting film. I remember trying to get under the camera and scope so I could see through the viewfinder. Film was a massive learning curve. There are no checking sub frames every few minutes, I had to make sure polar alignment was tack sharp, focus, collimation, framing etc, and then guide for half hour to two hours depending on the object's brightness. Then a few days later I would get the result after developing the film. The good ole days. Ray

I would always remove the diagonal as well. Not so much for the CCD distance, but mostly to remove anything that can interfere with the photo (flexure, dust, not reflecting all the possible light, scratches on mirror, etc). Your photos will be that tiny bit sharper with the diagonal gone. Ray

That is a cool result Dave. You and me were both on the moon last night. I didn't do any AP on it however, I have just recently got my PC rebuilt inside my obs, so was just reinstalling camera drivers, slewing, slaving, getting everything back on track. I've had a major drought really, so feels good to be back in the trenches dealing with all the technical challenges that present themselves. Ray

Great job Prof. Ray

Awesome mate. I'm glad you are getting some great results from this. Observing from inside the house is the way to go. Ray

lol, we all know what that's like mate. Ray