Imaging from my study

I managed to destroy a laptop a few months ago; I was using it to run PHD/Cartes du Ciel to guide the telescope and the heavy dew did it in. Since then, I have obtained another laptop (thanks daughter). So, I am determined to have a more robust way of controlling the telescope AND sitting in comfort.

So, welcome to the new setup!



Celestron CG5-GT , set up, aligned, two star, plus two calibration stars (plus polar aligned using the Celestron tool if autoguiding).

Nikon D5300 connected via USB to laptop.

Laptop is up and running, powered by mains, WITH CASE CLOSED , in a plastic box and protected from the weather.

Laptop is running the following software:
1. TeamViewer(Remote desktop software  https://www.teamviewer.com/en/ ): so desktop PC in the study can be used to control the laptop.
2. Digi Cam Control (http://www.digicamcontrol.com/ ): So the camera can be controlled via the laptop (Live View to single shot, control ISO, exposure, etc). The software has a setting specifically for astrophotography.
3. Cartes du Ciel; to control the scope via the laptop
4. (If autoguiding, PHD)

So, the TeamViewer software means I effectively run the laptop from my PC in the study. The Digi Cam Control allows FULL control of my Nikon plus enabling me to save images to both camera and laptop.

So, once the mount  has been set up and the scope aligned and focused, I can target, capture and stack (using DeepSkyStacker Live) from my study. I added a wifi booster/extender to ensure the laptop/desktop have a good connection. 

At last, some new captures

I have been messing around with the Newtonian; it now sits on a Dobsonian mount as a grab and take it out side scope. However, the combination of that plus lousy weather and lack of funds to purchase a better iaging telescope has meant that not a lot has been going on with imaging.

So, desperation set in when I saw that the weather was going to be clear. I mounted the Skywatcher ST80 on the Celestron CG5-GT and had a jolly time. I took bias, darks, flats ( via a ;white; app on the tablet). I imaged the following (but really impatience got the best of me and I could have done with a lot more data, but, I guess this was about principle too - is it worth trying to image with a 'cheap' achromat?

M35 in Gemini


NGC 2683 in Lynx













NGC 2403 in Camelopardis


The Horsehead Nebula in Orion (well, almost if you squint)


The Leo Triplet ( M65, M66 and NGC 3628