Observatory R.O.R Automation with NINA

[@robertcarroll5036]

Nice build Simon. I very much enjoyed the build series. Lots of ideas in there to take away.

[@SimonsAstro]

@@robertcarroll5036 Thanks Robert, much appreciated 😀

[@jeremyhigginson9307]

Absolutely amazing Simon, I hope I can get to where you are in.,......a few years! Stunning!

[@SimonsAstro]

Hey Jeremy, thanks for watching mate! You’ll get there eventually, it’s taken me 2.5 years to get here mate! Clear skies Jeremy 👍

[@adrianphotovisions2308]

Excellent progress with automation, a wonderful world. Next on your list should be a weather safety mechanism. I use the AAG cloud watcher linked to the PC so the shutter closes for cloudy weather and rain!

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks so much Adrian 😀 That is on the cards for the future! I’ll look into the one you have! Thanks for watching and clear skies 👍

[@AZ4Runner]

so exciting Simon! great images. I liked when you said "and that's all the cables". I wanna see the weather station next! so NINA can close and shut everything down in the event of unexpected weather. CS

[@SimonsAstro]

Hey Jason, thanks mate! Yeah, it’s on the cards😀 One step at a time! Could do with it, we’ve had a bit of rain lately! Thanks for watching and clear skies👍

[@SimonsAstro]

I want to catch up on yours and Isaac’s last videos Jason, I’m on holiday from tomorrow, so will catch up then 😎👍

[@AZ4Runner]

@@SimonsAstro no worries buddy!

[@simonf8370]

Those images are mind boggling good. Great work Simon

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks so much Simon, appreciated 👍

[@astroskyman]

Super job, so satisfying when it all goes to plan, automation is certainly the way forward. Beautiful set of setups, the results speak for themselves, well done.

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks so much👍 It really does help being able to set it up remotely and let Nina do everything! Thanks for watching and clear skies!

[@AstroBoater]

Nice one Simon 👍

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks Mark Bootiful🤣

[@Astro_Shed]

Another super video Simon, you certainly making great headway with NINA. I am really OCD with my cable management, and always uses cables the exact right length, and if I can’t find one to buy, then I make one, (video coming soon) I too hate to see them too long and all coiled up… And two superb images at the end…👏🏻👍🏻

[@SimonsAstro]

Hi Stuart, thanks mate! Yeah I used to have neater cable management, but since changed them all to Lindy cables, I haven’t had the chance to tidy them up! I’ll watch out for your vid mate! I need an all sky camera, like yours and a weather station next😀 Clear skies👍

[@Astro_Shed]

@@SimonsAstro yours are pretty neat compared to many i see. Yes the all sky camera worked well, and for a Decent price too, thanks and clear skies 👍🏻

[@DavesAstrophotography]

These sort of projects are right up my street Simon! Well done, I love the hardware tinkering if you hadn't guessed 😀

[@SimonsAstro]

Hi Dave! Thought you would like it😀Yes I know from your own videos(much more sophisticated than mine)😀 Its great to have all that automation working for you! A weather station next I think 😀👍

[@Wheeljack678]

This was really educational. Last year I built myself a mini-observatory with a roll-off roof. It pales compared to yours, but this is useful to me if I ever were to try to automate the roof somehow. (Realistically, it probably won't happen for a long while, but one can dream)

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks so much! I hope you get your obsey roof automated one day, glad to be of help👍

[@woody5109]

Excellent walk through, very helpful indeed. Also, Inspirational observatory, the scissor truss roof is a brilliant touch. I’m guessing an “all sky camera” is next😉 cheers from Canada.

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks Woody! Yeah, something like that! Probably a weather station 😀 Hope the weather is good for you in Canada mate! It’s raining here in uk, but I don’t care as I’m off to Thailand later today 😎😎 Clear skies mate👍

[@woody5109]

Bastard, lol, enjoy, been cloudy here since Halloween.

[@beerandbrat]

Great work Simon! Followed your post from the FB group, clear skies!🍻

[@SimonsAstro]

Hey thanks so much! Much appreciated mate👍 Clear skies!

[@tullyfisher]

Super interesting Simon. Amazing setup & very nice images. Thanks for sharing this! Clear skies mate

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks so much Tully, glad you liked it👍 Clear skies mate!

[@OlliesSpace]

Hey great stuff Simon you've really got a super setup. Oh 😱 a SCT Simon, nice to have the option for some longer focal length stuff. Great vid.

[@SimonsAstro]

Hey Ollie Thanks mate! Yeah what have I done! I’m a refractor guy!🫢 I’ll be shooting the sun next😎 Glad you liked it, thanks for watching and clear skies mate👍

[@nightscapejournals]

Well done, Simon. Looks like a phenomenal setup. As you know, I’m blown away by the level of automation you guys have achieved! 🤯 Hope you’re well.

[@SimonsAstro]

Hey thanks Paul, thanks for watching mate! I’ve had some help along the way😀 All good thanks, must catch up again soon👍

[@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy]

Nicely done, Simon. I am sure you are glad the roof connection to NINA is now working. I do see some of Glenn's handicrafts in your hardware assembly. I also saw that you had your target setting via NINA's Advanced Sequencer, so you are now a TOTAL NINA GEEK (or is that Nerd?) ... welcome to the club. Great final images. (I never knew of the Fossil Footprint Nebula ... I need to check that one out). Clear skies and enjoy your new automated observatory.

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks Pat! You are right about Glenn’s handy work, he did help me out! And yes, I’m a Nina geek now🤣 but still learning (from you!!) Logan from Logan’s Astro, also said he hadn’t heard of the Fossil Footprint! It’s one I knew about, but never imaged before! Pleased how it came out! Thanks for watching and clear skies👍

[@LogansAstro]

Superb video Simon. Wooohooo it's finally fully automated - congrats. Those images at the end were fantastic. Didn't know about the fossil footprint nebula - it looked very 3d. And the Spider and Fly being photobombed by the Tadpoles was also excellent.

[@SimonsAstro]

Hey Logan, thanks for watching mate! Yes, it’s been a while, but I’m there now, it’s a dream, was imagining last night and woke up this morning to find the roof closed😀 Weather station next!! The Fossil footprint is one I knew about but never imaged! And yeah, there was a lot going on in the spider and fly! That 400mm Askar is a nice field of view! Clear skies!

[@arnsteindale5531]

As usual well done Simon. keep up the good work

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks so much Arnstein 👍 Clear skies!

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Nice job Simon glad you've got it all sorted out now look forward to seeing more if we get more clear skies lol

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks Tich👍 Clear skies mate!

[@simonlaverick9920]

Very impressed Simon. Keep up the excellent work and informative videos.

[@SimonsAstro]

Hey mate, thanks for watching, hope you’re doing ok👍

[@robertwilson6918]

Absolutely brilliant I love all this stuff just brilliant

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks Robert👍

[@Astrobloke]

Nice video mate. Welcome to the world of lazy astro.

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks mate, a wonderful club to be in😀

[@TigerFitnessThetford]

Great video Simon!!

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks Rich👍

[@johnrsims43]

Hi Simon, Love your observatory: Remarkable high quality construction, and fully automated. Well done! Of all the observatory builds I’ve watched on youtube yours is easily the most “refined”: fully insulated, floors, walls, and roof; interior walls, painted; switches safely enclosed; etc…. I am wondering about any issues you might be having with humidity and condensation. Is this a problem for you? Did you need to install an exhaust fan? How about heater rods for the winter? Do you cover your rig when not used for several days or weeks? What, if any problems have you encountered with environment issues? Thanks! John

[@SimonsAstro]

@@johnrsims43 Hi John, thanks so much for the kind comments! I can tell you that I’ve had no problems at all with humidity or condensation whatsoever! On the hottest day of the year, my garden shed was so hot you couldn’t stand in it, then walking into the observatory it was actually cool in comparison! And the reverse happens in the winter, it doesn’t get freezing cold, until the roof is open🤣 I don’t use heaters or fans, for nearly 2 years it’s been just fine! The Insulation works!! Thanks for watching and clear skies 👍

[@johnrsims43]

@@SimonsAstro Great to hear. I’m really not surprised as it makes perfect sense. It just seems to me that most roll off roof observatories are made without insulation. Thanks for the reply👍

[@RobertMercer-s1f]

That’s a very informative video Simon. Will you also be putting in some safety features to take care of bad weather and also resume afterwards (I’m not sure that is possible in NINA yet) ?

[@SimonsAstro]

Hi Robert, thanks so much for watching! And yes, the bad weather station is on the cards next, soon hopefully! I’ve been talking to Glenn (Astrobloke) about it, only today! Nina does support a weather station connection 👍 Thanks & Clear skies!

[@Tony-Elliott]

Hi Simon you have a couple of really nice setups and now its all automated thats excellent work mate thanks for giving all the information and advice on this project, looking forward to seeing your new setup the images at the end are outstanding, P.S. did you manage to sort out the condensate problem you had in the obsy in the last video?

[@SimonsAstro]

Hi Tony, thanks for watching mate! Yeah really pleased with set ups, makes life much easier 😀 The condensation problem was more of an atmospheric situation, we often get a lot of dew, so long as my dew straps are on, should be fine! I just have to wipe down with a cloth in the mornings sometimes! Cheers Tony, clear skies!👍

[@phsilvabr]

Hi Simon, great video. Do you have a link for the Arduino code you are running to interface it with NINA/ASCOM?

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks so much! If you go to Astrobloke’s website, he has it all for download there👍 Astrobloke.co.uk

[@Stefan.Jackson1964]

Great system you have set up. I am trying to do the same as you. I have a question. On your arduino you have a board with 4 relays. You don't mention it in any of your explanations. You don't mention purchasing it as a required item for the system. I am wondering if it is needed or is it there for some other purpose?

[@SimonsAstro]

Hi Stefan, thanks for watching! The Arduino was given to me by Glenn, from Astrobloke! I didn’t have to purchase anything as it was complete when I got it from him! You just need the screw shield as an addition to ‘plug in’ to allow you to attach the cables easily! I don’t think you need to purchase any additional relays, check out Astroblokes channel as he may mention it there! Clear skies!

[@Stefan.Jackson1964]

Ok thanks. Just wasn’t sure as the arduino doesn’t come with the relay board and I haven’t looked at the programming to see if it calls the relays or not.

[@SimonsAstro]

@@Stefan.Jackson1964 Glenn has the program for free download on his website ‘Astrobloke.co.uk’ 👍

[@Stefan.Jackson1964]

Yes I have downloaded it. Working on setting it up now.@@SimonsAstro

[@aleixandrus]

I said it some videos ago... That obsy is inspiring me build my own! What an envy having all automated. Hopefully I'll start building mine very very soon. Question: Do you plan assemble the Meade *inside* the obsy? It feels quite narrow for two scopes. I'm asking as mine will be just a little bit smaller and it would be a very interesting piece of info :)

[@SimonsAstro]

Hi and thanks for watching 😀 Yes you’ll love it when you can do it, well worth the effort! I’ll take off the Esprit off and put on the Mead! No room for both 😀 Clear skies!

[@aleixandrus]

@@SimonsAstro I've thought about a two pier obsy but it may be too big for the urban regulations (and expensive). Time will say! Looking forward to seeing the new OTA!

[@SimonsAstro]

@@aleixandrus two piers would be nice! Thanks! 👍

[@Stefan.Jackson1964]

Well I am partway there. Nina is connecting, but not finding the open/closed state of the roof. On the NINA dome screen, the little icons of the open and closed dome near the middle right that you use to open and close the roof are greyed out. Also when I connect NINA is not giving the successful connection dialogue box in the bottom right. So NINA is finding it, but something is not connecting the way it needs to. Wondering if you have any suggestions?

[@SimonsAstro]

Hi Stefan, not quite sure what’s the problem, all I can say is, check when in the dome tab, click the drop down list at top of page and select RRCI, then hit refresh! Make sure your wires are connected properly and in the right place! Either check on my video by pausing to see where the wires go, or look on Astroblokes video and see if it’s any clearer! If your roof is closed, make sure your magnets are together for the closed position! You may have the magnets round the wrong way, that would grey out the icons! Hope you get it sorted out ok!👍

[@alangriffiths1432]

I can contact you about zwo Asiair plus and using heq5 mount I have a problem with it thanks

[@SimonsAstro]

Hi Alan, you can find me on fb as Simon’s Astro, try that! Or just ask here!

[@alangriffiths1432]

Will do thanks

[@92mrkite]

You should remove all stickers from your Mele Quieter, as this face is the heat sink.

[@SimonsAstro]

Good point!

[@dennisfrye8240]

"promo sm"