KinchAstro
  • Home Page
  • Progress through the years
    • 2023 Images >
      • Messier 101 (2023)
      • SH2-278
      • Soul Nebula (2023)
      • NGC 1491 (Fossil Footprint) 2023
      • IC 443 (Jellyfish Nebula) 2023
    • 2022 Images >
      • Andromeda Galaxy (2022)
      • SH2-173
      • Bat Nebula in Eastern Veil
      • SH2-124
      • NGC 7380 Wizard (2022)
      • SH2-132 (2022)
      • Cygnus Butterfly
      • SH2-140 & SH2-145
      • SNR G082.2+05.3
      • Just one area of Gas & Dust in Cygnus
      • Propeller Nebula (2022)
      • Around NGC 6914
      • SH2-115 & Abell 71 Wide Field
      • IC 4685
      • M20 - Trifid Nebula
      • SH2-101 (2022)
      • WR 134 in Cygnus
      • M 17 (2022)
      • M5 Star Cluster
      • Cederblad 51
      • Cone Nebula to NGC 2259
      • NGC 2353 (Stars & Stuff)
      • SH2-232 (2022)
      • IC 410 (Tadpoles) - 2022
    • 2021 Images >
      • SH2-224 (2021)
      • NGC 2174 (2021)
      • SH2-284 (2021)
      • Cocoon Nebula
      • SH2-261
      • Heart Nebula 2021
      • LBN 437 (SH2-126)
      • IC 1848 - Soul Nebula
      • SNR G082.2+05.3
      • SH2-135
      • LDN 909 & DWB 111
      • IC 5068
      • SH2-119
      • North of Sadr (Cygnus)
      • The Blue Horse Head Nebula
      • Messier 3 (2021)
      • Pink Moon Apr.2021
      • NGC 1499 (California Nebula)
      • MW2 (Dust Angel)
      • IC 2177 (Seagull) 2021
      • Abell 31 (2021)
      • SH2-308 Dolphin Nebula
      • M78
      • Jones Emberson 1 (2021)
      • HFG1 & Abell 6
      • SH2-282
    • 2020 Images >
      • Abell 21 (2020) Madusa Nebula
      • SH2-200
      • M33 (2020)
      • SH2-112
      • SH2-132 (2020)
      • IC 1805 - Heart Nebula
      • SH2-155 - Cave Nebula
      • SH2-114 - The Flying Dragon
      • SH2-115
      • Abell 85 (CTB-1)
      • LDN1235 - Shark Nebula
      • IC 1396 with Elephant Trunk Nebula
      • IC 1311
      • Crescent toward Sadr
      • SH2-54 & NGC 6604
      • IC 1318 Sadr Region
      • IC4592 - Blue Horsehead
      • Rho Ophiuchi
      • NGC 2259
      • Horsehead & Flame
      • IC 2177
      • SH2-232
      • SH2-284
      • SH2-280 or LBN 973
      • Rosette Nebula
    • 2019 Images >
      • Veil Nebula
      • NGC 7822 (2019)
      • Lobster Claw & Bubble
      • Tulip Nebula & NGC 6871
      • Earth's Moon
      • Propeller Nebula
      • NGC 7129 & NGC 7142
      • NGC 7023 - Iris Nebula
      • M108 & M97
      • M13 Globular Cluster
      • HCG 44
      • M81 & M82
      • M5 Star Cluster
      • M3 Star Cluster
      • NGC 4565
      • M 101 Galaxy (2019)
      • Abell 33
      • M1 Crab Nebula
      • IC 410 Tadpoles
      • Jellyfish Nebula
    • 2018 Images >
      • Simeis 147
      • North America & Pelican
      • NGC 7635 Bubble Nebula
      • NGC 7822 (2018)
      • NGC 281 Pacman Nebula
      • Soap Bubble & Crescent Nebula
      • NGC 2327 Seagull Nebula HaSHO
      • NGC 2327 Seagull Nebula Ha
      • NGC 2359 Thor's Helmet
      • Jones Emberson 1
    • 2017 Images >
      • M31 Andromeda Galaxy
      • NGC 7293 Helix Nebula
      • NGC 2174 Monkey Head Nebula
      • M16 Eagle Nebula
      • NGC 6820 & NGC 6823
      • Abell 21 (2017) Medusa Nebula
      • Sh2-290
      • NGC 2264 NB Colour
      • NGC 2264
      • IC 2118 Witch Head Nebula
      • M42 Orion Nebula
    • 2016 Images >
      • Cederblad 214
      • NGC 1491
      • IC 1795 The Fishhead Nebula
      • Bubble Nebula (2016)
      • NGC 7380 Wizard Nebula
      • Pickering's Triangle
      • Caldwell 33
      • Eastern Veil Nebula (Caldwell 33) - Ha
      • SH2-132
      • SH2-155 The Cave Nebula
      • Cave Nebula (Ha)
      • NGC7000 & IC5070
      • Cygnus Wall
      • M13
      • Pelican Nebula
      • M 101 Galaxy (2016)
      • M3 - Star Cluster
      • IC 2177 - Seagull Nebula
      • A few Planetary Nebulae
      • Waxing Moon
      • Rosette Nebula - HSHO
      • Rosette Nebula - Ha
      • Earth's Moon
      • Horse Head & Flame Nebulae
      • NGC 2359
    • 2015 Images >
      • Tadpoles - Crop
      • IC 405 & IC 410
      • IC410 Tadpole Nebula Full
      • IC410 Tadpole Nebula
      • Soul Nebula
      • Dumbbell Nebula
      • M33 Triangulum Galaxy
      • NGC 281 PacMan Nebula
      • Melotte 15 (Heart of the Heart Nebula)
      • Heart Nebula
      • NGC 7822 (2015)
      • Propeller Nebula
      • Pickering's Triangle
      • Omega Nebula
      • Elephant's Trunk Nebula
      • M108 & M97
      • IC 2177
      • Cone & Christmas Tree
      • Monkey Head Nebula
      • Bubble Nebula & M52 (Open Cluster)
      • The Rosette
      • Jellyfish Nebula
    • 2014 Images >
      • Crab Nebula (2014)
      • The Horsehead & Flame
      • The Rosette Nebula
      • Thor's Helmet
      • Leo Triplet
      • Sombrero Galaxy
      • Pinwheel Galaxy
      • Eagle Nebula
      • Lagoon Nebula
      • Pelican Nebula
      • Veil Nebula
      • Great Orion Nebula
    • 2013 Images
    • ....and before!
  • Putting in the Observatory
    • Observatory
    • Foundation Area
    • Foundation 1
    • Foundation 2
    • Building the Pier
    • Pier Completed
    • All wired up.
    • Ready for a nights work!
    • Observatory arrives
    • Neatly packed on the pallet
    • Construction underway
    • Ready to bolt the base to the concrete
    • Dome ready to go on.
    • Ready for side panel
    • Side panel fitted.
    • A look inside.
    • Solar Panel Power
    • Observatory 2
  • My Astro Imaging Gear
    • List of Hardware & Software
    • Connection Diagram - Electrical
    • Connection Diagrams - Hardware
    • Equatorial Mounts >
      • Takahashi EM 400 Temma 2
      • Takahashi EM200 Temma 2
    • Telescopes >
      • Takahashi FSQ130ED
      • Tak FSQ 106 ED
      • Tak FS 60 CB
      • Meade LX200R
    • Cameras >
      • QSI 6120i
      • QHY 5 II
      • Atik 460 EX
    • Other Equipment >
      • Filter Wheel & Filters
      • Other Gear
  • Information & Links
  • On a more personal note...

Miscellaneous Other Gear

Everybody's setup is different....this will help give a picture of what I actually use on an ongoing basis. Some people use items that I don't have (e.g. Rotator)....we each settle for whatever works for us, at the right price. One could do without any of these items and normally, they only get added, one by one, over time.

Some photos.....click on thumbnail for larger image.
Dew Strip Controller
Dew strips on the scopes.
FlipFlat on the 106 scope.
Focuser control - local or PC control
Focuser Motor
Mission Control
External Link to HitecAstro                               External Link to FlipFlat                            External Link to RoboFocus
Above you will note I put a double dew strip on the FSQ 106 scope and one on the FS 60 scope. These are controlled by the Hitecastro 4 channel controller. Living by the sea, humidity is a big problem  - some nights I can actually see it rolling in off the water. Even inside the observatory, I feel I need to protect the scope optics with the heaters, so in very humid conditions I leave the heaters on throughout (maybe not full on) even though I am not imaging. As noted in photo 3, I use a FlipFlat - which is great by the way - but the top of the scope is not totally sealed like with the normal Tak scope cover. The Flip-Flat is not a common piece of kit but it worked out great for me when I actually started taking Flats - which was not always the case. The Flats panel is actually on a hinged controller and is fully controlled by my capture program SGP. Once I did an initial set up (manually choosing a light intensity for the panel), SGP can 'work out' how much time exposure is required to create a Flat frame of specified ADU for each filter being used. Once that is set up (a one time operation), flats become just a tick of a box for any imaging session.   
I use a Robofocus focuser, which has its own controller mounted at the mount base. It is useful in this position for visual observations. Normally, though, I do not touch it as I use the auto-focus feature in Sequence Generator Pro. Personally I have the programme set to refocus after each 20 minute sub.
The final image above shows my storage area within the observatory - plastic 'drawer' type bins containing adapters, extensions, filters, cables, Bathinov mask, Tak 1.6 extender, Tak 0.73 Reducer, oculars.....as well as some small tools (Allen keys). They also provide a nice base for the laptop computer that controls everything. Although I have placed a stool in the Obs, I don't have to use it all that much. The house WiFi extends this far and I am able to control the laptop from another computer within the house (via TeamViewer) . Once I have everything up & running I retreat to the house and when all is well, I can leave SGP continue all the imaging tasks throughout the night.
Picture
A view of some of the other bits & pieces - including the Solar Filter that fits the FS 60 CB. I have yet to catch the ISS crossing in front if the Sun - but it is on my 'to do' list. The oculars were bought originally for the Meade LX 200R, but I do pull them out from time to time (especially if we have visitors). The extensions in the box with the Bathinov Mask are for use with the 1.6 extender. I have used the extender only once since I got it - it is very demanding on good seeing (brings my scope to f/8) which, so far this winter (2015/2016), has not been evident. 
Back to Other Equipment
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  • Home Page
  • Progress through the years
    • 2023 Images >
      • Messier 101 (2023)
      • SH2-278
      • Soul Nebula (2023)
      • NGC 1491 (Fossil Footprint) 2023
      • IC 443 (Jellyfish Nebula) 2023
    • 2022 Images >
      • Andromeda Galaxy (2022)
      • SH2-173
      • Bat Nebula in Eastern Veil
      • SH2-124
      • NGC 7380 Wizard (2022)
      • SH2-132 (2022)
      • Cygnus Butterfly
      • SH2-140 & SH2-145
      • SNR G082.2+05.3
      • Just one area of Gas & Dust in Cygnus
      • Propeller Nebula (2022)
      • Around NGC 6914
      • SH2-115 & Abell 71 Wide Field
      • IC 4685
      • M20 - Trifid Nebula
      • SH2-101 (2022)
      • WR 134 in Cygnus
      • M 17 (2022)
      • M5 Star Cluster
      • Cederblad 51
      • Cone Nebula to NGC 2259
      • NGC 2353 (Stars & Stuff)
      • SH2-232 (2022)
      • IC 410 (Tadpoles) - 2022
    • 2021 Images >
      • SH2-224 (2021)
      • NGC 2174 (2021)
      • SH2-284 (2021)
      • Cocoon Nebula
      • SH2-261
      • Heart Nebula 2021
      • LBN 437 (SH2-126)
      • IC 1848 - Soul Nebula
      • SNR G082.2+05.3
      • SH2-135
      • LDN 909 & DWB 111
      • IC 5068
      • SH2-119
      • North of Sadr (Cygnus)
      • The Blue Horse Head Nebula
      • Messier 3 (2021)
      • Pink Moon Apr.2021
      • NGC 1499 (California Nebula)
      • MW2 (Dust Angel)
      • IC 2177 (Seagull) 2021
      • Abell 31 (2021)
      • SH2-308 Dolphin Nebula
      • M78
      • Jones Emberson 1 (2021)
      • HFG1 & Abell 6
      • SH2-282
    • 2020 Images >
      • Abell 21 (2020) Madusa Nebula
      • SH2-200
      • M33 (2020)
      • SH2-112
      • SH2-132 (2020)
      • IC 1805 - Heart Nebula
      • SH2-155 - Cave Nebula
      • SH2-114 - The Flying Dragon
      • SH2-115
      • Abell 85 (CTB-1)
      • LDN1235 - Shark Nebula
      • IC 1396 with Elephant Trunk Nebula
      • IC 1311
      • Crescent toward Sadr
      • SH2-54 & NGC 6604
      • IC 1318 Sadr Region
      • IC4592 - Blue Horsehead
      • Rho Ophiuchi
      • NGC 2259
      • Horsehead & Flame
      • IC 2177
      • SH2-232
      • SH2-284
      • SH2-280 or LBN 973
      • Rosette Nebula
    • 2019 Images >
      • Veil Nebula
      • NGC 7822 (2019)
      • Lobster Claw & Bubble
      • Tulip Nebula & NGC 6871
      • Earth's Moon
      • Propeller Nebula
      • NGC 7129 & NGC 7142
      • NGC 7023 - Iris Nebula
      • M108 & M97
      • M13 Globular Cluster
      • HCG 44
      • M81 & M82
      • M5 Star Cluster
      • M3 Star Cluster
      • NGC 4565
      • M 101 Galaxy (2019)
      • Abell 33
      • M1 Crab Nebula
      • IC 410 Tadpoles
      • Jellyfish Nebula
    • 2018 Images >
      • Simeis 147
      • North America & Pelican
      • NGC 7635 Bubble Nebula
      • NGC 7822 (2018)
      • NGC 281 Pacman Nebula
      • Soap Bubble & Crescent Nebula
      • NGC 2327 Seagull Nebula HaSHO
      • NGC 2327 Seagull Nebula Ha
      • NGC 2359 Thor's Helmet
      • Jones Emberson 1
    • 2017 Images >
      • M31 Andromeda Galaxy
      • NGC 7293 Helix Nebula
      • NGC 2174 Monkey Head Nebula
      • M16 Eagle Nebula
      • NGC 6820 & NGC 6823
      • Abell 21 (2017) Medusa Nebula
      • Sh2-290
      • NGC 2264 NB Colour
      • NGC 2264
      • IC 2118 Witch Head Nebula
      • M42 Orion Nebula
    • 2016 Images >
      • Cederblad 214
      • NGC 1491
      • IC 1795 The Fishhead Nebula
      • Bubble Nebula (2016)
      • NGC 7380 Wizard Nebula
      • Pickering's Triangle
      • Caldwell 33
      • Eastern Veil Nebula (Caldwell 33) - Ha
      • SH2-132
      • SH2-155 The Cave Nebula
      • Cave Nebula (Ha)
      • NGC7000 & IC5070
      • Cygnus Wall
      • M13
      • Pelican Nebula
      • M 101 Galaxy (2016)
      • M3 - Star Cluster
      • IC 2177 - Seagull Nebula
      • A few Planetary Nebulae
      • Waxing Moon
      • Rosette Nebula - HSHO
      • Rosette Nebula - Ha
      • Earth's Moon
      • Horse Head & Flame Nebulae
      • NGC 2359
    • 2015 Images >
      • Tadpoles - Crop
      • IC 405 & IC 410
      • IC410 Tadpole Nebula Full
      • IC410 Tadpole Nebula
      • Soul Nebula
      • Dumbbell Nebula
      • M33 Triangulum Galaxy
      • NGC 281 PacMan Nebula
      • Melotte 15 (Heart of the Heart Nebula)
      • Heart Nebula
      • NGC 7822 (2015)
      • Propeller Nebula
      • Pickering's Triangle
      • Omega Nebula
      • Elephant's Trunk Nebula
      • M108 & M97
      • IC 2177
      • Cone & Christmas Tree
      • Monkey Head Nebula
      • Bubble Nebula & M52 (Open Cluster)
      • The Rosette
      • Jellyfish Nebula
    • 2014 Images >
      • Crab Nebula (2014)
      • The Horsehead & Flame
      • The Rosette Nebula
      • Thor's Helmet
      • Leo Triplet
      • Sombrero Galaxy
      • Pinwheel Galaxy
      • Eagle Nebula
      • Lagoon Nebula
      • Pelican Nebula
      • Veil Nebula
      • Great Orion Nebula
    • 2013 Images
    • ....and before!
  • Putting in the Observatory
    • Observatory
    • Foundation Area
    • Foundation 1
    • Foundation 2
    • Building the Pier
    • Pier Completed
    • All wired up.
    • Ready for a nights work!
    • Observatory arrives
    • Neatly packed on the pallet
    • Construction underway
    • Ready to bolt the base to the concrete
    • Dome ready to go on.
    • Ready for side panel
    • Side panel fitted.
    • A look inside.
    • Solar Panel Power
    • Observatory 2
  • My Astro Imaging Gear
    • List of Hardware & Software
    • Connection Diagram - Electrical
    • Connection Diagrams - Hardware
    • Equatorial Mounts >
      • Takahashi EM 400 Temma 2
      • Takahashi EM200 Temma 2
    • Telescopes >
      • Takahashi FSQ130ED
      • Tak FSQ 106 ED
      • Tak FS 60 CB
      • Meade LX200R
    • Cameras >
      • QSI 6120i
      • QHY 5 II
      • Atik 460 EX
    • Other Equipment >
      • Filter Wheel & Filters
      • Other Gear
  • Information & Links
  • On a more personal note...