Astrophotography Don't do This! Dark Shark & Flying Dragon

[@johnclarke4098]

Fair play to you Simon for showing the human errors. Been there myself, even had the image train slide out the losmandy clamp. Fortunately caught it before impaling on the deck. Also agree on the pegasus. Had to zip tie the cable to it.

[@SimonsAstro]

@@johnclarke4098 Thanks for watching John, good job you caught the imaging train when you did!! This is real life mate! Clear skies!

[@bedfordbeds]

It is amazing how things can go wrong and when they do it all snowballs! Great video and encouraging, in my case not to give up when things don't go to plan. Thank you Simon.

[@SimonsAstro]

@@bedfordbeds You’re welcome Paul, glad you liked the video and encourages you to keep going😀 Thanks for watching and clear skies 👍

[@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy]

Holy Moly ... When things go bad, wow, did they ever go bad! I'd be considering trashing it all at that point. BUT you recovered and came up with two fantastic images, Simon. Well, as you said at the beginning, don't do this at night. I learned that lesson many years ago. Unless my rig is preset from the session before, only then would I consider going out at night to uncover it and turn it on, then go inside and hope everything would be working. You made me laugh and almost cry several times. Clear Skies (and preset during the day)

[@SimonsAstro]

@@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy Hey Pat, thanks for watching! I’m glad I made you laugh, you can’t be too serious in this game, or you’ll go mad with the frustrations that come with this hobby😀 Yeah I really should have set up during the day, and when things go wrong, usually, everything goes wrong! I actually cut some out where other things went wrong and I didn’t show it! But you just have to shrug it off and keep going! I’m happy with the end results anyway! Thanks Pat and clear skies 👍

[@Astrobloke]

Super work mate, how does that strainwave guide? 😂😂 The trials and tribulations of Astro, plenty of traps for us all. Great image Simon, clear skies mate

[@SimonsAstro]

@@Astrobloke Thanks Glenn! It’s easy really, you just get an Heq5, and don’t put any weights on and hey presto, strain wave😀 Clear skies mate👍

[@nightscapejournals]

I got horrific flashbacks watching that! 🤣🤣 SO much stuff to remember and get right in this game! Great images in the end, Simon - it all came together!

[@SimonsAstro]

@@nightscapejournals Thanks Paul! Hope I didn’t give you nightmares 🤣 With perseverance it usually comes together 😀👍 Clear skies!

[@AZ4Runner]

good catch Simon! true when your already setup in the Obsy, you sometimes forget things when setting up from scratch. it was all worth it. great images!

[@SimonsAstro]

@@AZ4Runner Hey Jason, thanks for watching mate! That’s the thing, all I have remember in the obsey is to switch it on🤣 All worked out ok in the end! Looking forward to when you’re back up and running Jason! Clear skies😀

[@siegfriednoet]

At last someone who shows how it sometimes actually can go in this hobby, but you ended up with some very nice images Simon, great video !

[@SimonsAstro]

@@siegfriednoet Thanks for watching Siegfried. Yeah I called it ‘real life astrophotography’ It often does go wrong, but just keep going! The results usually turn out ok👍 CS

[@astroshooter1960]

I have my own observatory in my backyard.... I don't miss doing this.

[@SimonsAstro]

@@astroshooter1960 Thanks for watching, the obsey is a godsend! Wouldn’t be without it now👍

[@petesastrophotography]

Excellent video Simon, it's good to show the downs as well as the ups sometimes! I was starting to wonder if you had some new harmonic drive mount when I couldn't see a counterweight bar and weights. If nothing else all this shows some of the massive benefits of having an obsy where your rig is ready to go 24/7!

[@SimonsAstro]

@@petesastrophotography Hey Pete, thanks for watching mate! Yeah, I thought it might throw a few people off🤣 Skywatchers new strain wave mount!😀 The obsey is great for sure, but it’s made me lazy! Clear skies!

[@glenngravlin1017]

Thanks for sharing all of that frustration Simon. Been there, done that! Not that it really matters on a rig that small, but on top of everything else, it looks like you have the mount head installed backwards on the tripod.

[@SimonsAstro]

@@glenngravlin1017 Thanks Glenn👍 Which rig are you referring to, the Heq5 or the Eq6?

[@glenngravlin1017]

The Heq5. You should have one tripod leg pointing North so that the counterweights situated on the North side of the mount are more stable.

[@SimonsAstro]

@@glenngravlin1017 Yeah apparently how it is now, is how it was before they introduced the Eq6, then it changed to the way you said, that’s how it was when I bought it second hand from Astrobloke! Not been a problem for me in 18 months👍

[@OlliesSpace]

It sure can all go pear shaped sometimes Simon. Nice one sticking at it, I like the Dark Shark. I generally only run the one rig at a time these days, always too many things happening with two for my brain ! Clear skies.

[@SimonsAstro]

@@OlliesSpace Hey Ollie😀Thanks for watching mate! Yeah my brain hurts when I run two rigs🤣 It’s my age! But definitely worth sticking with it! The Shark is a nice target! Clear skies 👍

[@robinhoward6447]

Real life, Simon. The images are stunning and thank you for sharing this. Clear skies!

[@SimonsAstro]

@@robinhoward6447 Thanks Robin, it really is real life! Thanks for watching 👍 Clear skies

[@andrewchittams8522]

Within windows device manager, you can force the serial device to always use the same COM port that way Windows will not randomly pick a new port number and you don’t have to keep changing the settings in the software

[@SimonsAstro]

@@andrewchittams8522 Thanks for watching Andrew, interesting about the com ports, didn’t know that, windows is always randomly changing com ports! Thanks and clear skies 👍

[@astroskyman]

Astrophotography is certainly frustrating at times for sure Simon, but the end result when it brings a smile is worth it all, super images 👌👋

[@SimonsAstro]

@@astroskyman Thanks so much! Frustrating isn’t the word sometimes! I can’t say it on here🤣 But generally it works out ok👍 Clear skies

[@Weks3]

Beautiful photo, very good 👍

[@SimonsAstro]

@@Weks3 Thanks for watching 👍

[@Tony-Elliott]

Hi Simon the final images makes up for all the frustrating crap mate , thanks again for taking us alone on your journey

[@SimonsAstro]

@@Tony-Elliott Hi Tony, thanks mate, it can be crappy at times but it’s always worth it! Thanks for watching and clear skies 👍

[@bngwira]

Well done Simon. That has got to be one of the best real life astrophotography videos I have watched in a very long time 😂😂😂

[@SimonsAstro]

@@bngwira Thanks so much! I was hoping to show some of the frustrations of this hobby, glad it came across! Thanks for watching and clear skies

[@jeremyhigginson9307]

Good to have a video where you can see the problems being solved! None the less, great images at the end!

[@SimonsAstro]

@@jeremyhigginson9307 Thanks Jeremy! I know you’ve been there mate! Thanks for watching and clear skies

[@LogansAstro]

After all the headaches, the images turned out great. I was especially taken by the Flying Dragon which looked spectacular, especially with all those OIII filaments. I know nights like that very well and agree it is so easy to forget steps when you are used to an obsy setup. Oh the number of times I've scratched my head wondering why things weren't going well only to realise I'd missed an important step. Shame the cat didn't appear earlier - might have noticed the missing weights 🤣. CS

[@SimonsAstro]

@@LogansAstro Thanks Logan, yeah the Flying Dragon was my favorite, that oiii was interesting, it deserves more time on it, I only managed 12 hrs, not quite 74 that some people I know gets🤣 My weather has been terrible here lately, wish I had a rig in Spain or Texas now!! I must return to it again in the future! The cat probably knows more than me🤣 He’s out there every time I am! Thanks for watching and clear skies 🤣

[@Astropostie]

Whilst not ideal when it’s taking up precious imaging time, solving the problems still brings me a certain amount of joy… great images - the Dark Shark is on my list now if only the clouds would clear!

[@SimonsAstro]

@@Astropostie Thanks so much! Yeah as you say, it’s taking up precious imagining time, and with these clouds lately, we don’t get enough clear skies!! Thanks for watching 👍

[@pompeymonkey3271]

Haha - It took me a couple of minutes to notice the error too! :) FWIW, here's two constructive criticisms: It's good practice to balance dec before RA - the dec balance can affect the COG of the RA axis. And tie your cables to the mount or scope! From what I could see, most seem to be flapping around in the wind, no wonder that you sometimes lose connections. Lovely images too! :)

[@SimonsAstro]

@@pompeymonkey3271 Thanks for watching, appreciate the tips on balancing, I do have a couple of longer cables that I would like, just haven’t got round to getting shorter ones yet! Most of the cables are strapped to the rig with cable ties, apart from a long blue one which is coiled up one side and a long black one on the other side! TBF the Pegasus has been playing up for months, and the connections on the box are so loose, that the power cable often disconnects as well as the dew strap connection! I’ll have to live with it I guess! Clear skies!

[@Wheeljack678]

You know what? Kudos for including all of that, including your snarky remarks at yourself. I think it made for an entertaining video - and relatable. No matter how long we've been at this, we still make silly mistakes. My latest one was accidentally shutting off a USB-port on the powerbank for a second - the one the camera was connected to - and then forgetting to refresh the connection in NINA afterwards. I only looked at the guidegraph, which looked good for 5-6 hours. Too bad the camera didn't take any pictures during that time.

[@SimonsAstro]

@@Wheeljack678 Thanks so much for watching! Yeah, I thought about cutting a lot of that, but then thought, no, it’s real life astrophotography for those that think it’s easy! Glad you liked it👍 Shutting off your USB to the camera is easy done, shame you lost 5-6 hours🤦‍♂️ Clear skies!

[@astrostufftomtrubridge7915]

Hi Simon, So glad the clutch knob was tight, could have been a real bugger that lot swinging round quickly arghhh.😱... Its funny but I miss my cat he passed last year kind of adds some company in the night. great result at the end very nice image, maybe a very short extender lead may give a better grip in the power box then secure connection with pvc tape onward.. Hope clouds go soon.. Atb Tom.

[@SimonsAstro]

@@astrostufftomtrubridge7915 hey Tom, thanks for watching mate! Sorry to hear about your cat, my cat keeps me company nearly every time I’m out there! Yeah glad the clutch was tight!! What a plonker I am🤣 Still all worked out ok! Good tip about the power box👍 Clear skies

[@woody5109]

We all have nights like this, I just had one where my home location changed for no reason, lol

[@SimonsAstro]

@@woody5109 Hey Woody, thanks for watching! Strange thing to happen, but still annoying! Clear skies mate👍

[@ranman5283]

Lovely photo's, also really nice to hear the accent... from another Suffolk boy

[@SimonsAstro]

@@ranman5283 Thanks mate! Suffolk through & through😀 Are you a ‘Suffolk boy’ ?😀

[@trevorintrepid5892]

This gameplay in Astrophotograpjy Simulator 2024 is incredibly accurate!

[@SimonsAstro]

@@trevorintrepid5892 Thanks for watching, much appreciated 👍

[@TigerFitnessThetford]

Great effort at clawing it back! I'd have put everything on Ebay and gone back indoors - after fussing Darwin of course!

[@SimonsAstro]

@@TigerFitnessThetford Hey thanks Richard! Trouble is, if I put it all on eBay, I’d have to sell it all for 50 quid😀 That’s how much the wife thinks it’s worth 🤣 Thanks for watching 👍

[@AstroBoater]

Nearly every night I forget lens caps 😊

[@SimonsAstro]

@@AstroBoater Hey thanks Mark! That’s a given mate🤣 Clear skies👍

[@nikaxstrophotography]

Simon where did you get the riser blocks for your dovetail "cage" Great video I was sitting in anticipation for you working out you didn't balance the rig :)

[@SimonsAstro]

@@nikaxstrophotography Hey Nik, thanks for watching mate! Yeah it was kinda edge of your seat kinda thing🤣 see link for riser blocks mate😀 Clear skies! altairastro.com/altair-keystone-riser-block---pair---green-10244-p.asp

[@nikaxstrophotography]

Simon? The riser blocks? Where did you get those? Cheers

[@markalot]

I use Nina and a Mele PC and have the same issue when I have to change something. Complete disconnect reconnect, sometimes a reboot. I didn't notice the lack of weights because I use an AM3. My old back has thanked me. Thanks for making this video, one of the best (maybe the best)real life examples of actual evening madness. Last night I had a target change at the same time as a meridian flip and Nina got stuck in some kind of loop that required me to kill Nina. Yea, it's FUN! :)

[@SimonsAstro]

@@markalot Hey thanks so much for watching! Yeah, connect, reconnect seems to be the norm with Nina, I still love the ASIAIR because it’s so simple (usually)🤣 Glad it came across how it did, I wanted to show the frustrations of this hobby! But generally it’s always worth it in the end😀 Clear skies 👍

[@adrianphotovisions2308]

I was waiting for the scope to slide off the mount and bounce off the floor! Buy an AM5, no counterweights needed......... Nice result in the end tho

[@SimonsAstro]

@@adrianphotovisions2308 Thanks Adrian, so glad it didn’t bounce off the floor!! Yeah an AM5 would solve that problem 🤣 Clear skies!

[@leoncorns1450]

Looks just like the average night of astrophotography for me. 😂 But all worth it when you get a great result and boy, just look at that shark. 👏👏👏

[@SimonsAstro]

@@leoncorns1450 Thanks for watching! Yeah, truth is, it happens more times than not🤣 I just don’t tell anyone!! Thanks for watching 👍

[@Doomdog308]

When did you get clear skies I've been waiting for nearly 3 weeks

[@SimonsAstro]

@@Doomdog308 lol, it’s been pretty bad to be honest! Lucky I guess! Thanks for watching 👍

[@woody5109]

This is way they invented Scotch

[@Astropostie]

😂🥃 amen to that!

[@SimonsAstro]

So true Woody! I need a whole bottle on my next video!!

[@krickettt]

I took up macrophotography because of bad nights 😂

[@SimonsAstro]

@@krickettt Thanks for watching! This hobby can make you feel like that sometimes! Clear skies 👍

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

You can't be a real astrophotographer mate there wasn't enough curse words!!!!, we've all had the Gremlins in the past so good you got them sorted out in the end & got some cracking images to. Hope you're all well? Clear skies!!

[@SimonsAstro]

@@dumpydalekobservatory Lol Tich😀 you’re right mate, I’m only pretending to be an astrophotographer, I haven’t got a clue🤣 And believe me, I had to cut a lot of choice words out mate🤣 We’re good cheers, clear skies to you too👍

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

@@SimonsAstro Awww it would have been better to keep em in & bleep em out lol

[@riffraff2607]

Think we all make school boy errors

[@SimonsAstro]

@@riffraff2607 Thanks for watching! Yeah, it’s inevitable, so many things to remember, it’s gonna happen soon🤣 Clear skies!

[@lukesastro2380]

COUNTER WEIGHTS!

[@SimonsAstro]

@@lukesastro2380 Yeah, got there in the end🤣 Thanks for watching 👍

[@pongokamerat8601]

I can easily do without the techno muzak...

[@nbw555]

Hi Simon, lovely images in the end, I have similar issues with my mount (eq6-rpro) and Nina, so annoying there's no logical answer or explanation, sometimes several restarts are necessary, it seems to only be with Sky watcher mounts I think !

[@SimonsAstro]

@@nbw555 Thanks for watching😀 Yeah I do have a few issues with Nina and my mount! Frustrating for sure, but perseverance pays off usually 👍 Clear skies!

[@Cheapass-tro]

I DID, I DID TAW A PUDDY TAT!!! What are you trying to do to my nerves Simon? That was really tense watching you begin to slew, oblivious...

[@SimonsAstro]

@@Cheapass-tro Lol Nugsy 😀Sorry mate, I’ll try harder next time🤣 I did see a pussy cat😀 Thanks for watching! Clear skies!