Pushing the exposure length with auto-guiding on the ASI AIR pro

In this video, I try auto-guiding for the first time with the ASI air pro - a small device that lets me remote control my photo rig on my iPad over WiFi. After alot of hurdles, I finally manage to capture the Leo Triplet.
List of equipment used in this video:
ZWO 30F4 mini Guide Scope
astronomy-imag...
ASI120mm mini (mono) Guide Camera
astronomy-imag...
ASI AIR pro
astronomy-imag...
William Optics RedCat 51 APO telescope
williamoptics....
Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera
www.canon.co.u...
iOptron SkyGuiderTM Pro camera mount
www.ioptron.co...
Optolong L-Pro EOS-C Clip Filter
www.optolongas...
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Music: www.purple-pla...

[@johnnyredfireastroimaging5266]

This is real life struggle bus of astrophotography. What a great representation and continue making these videos. You aren’t alone!

[@inferno760]

Longest cliffhanger ever! Hope you’re ok, looking forward to the next video!

[@-Jeremiah-]

Wonderfully candid sir. As I am about to add this same guiding to my setup it is nice to kind of chuckle at some of the problems while they aren’t mine. Hopefully it keeps me a bit more grounded once these problems are mine.

[@RL112871]

Dude. I don't know where you are located and this is the first time I've ever watched one of your videos. I'm a minute into the video and that is about the best use of space I've seen in a while. Amazing.

[@bostronomy]

Why’d you stop making videos? The set up is perfect! Rooftop, light pollution. You got it all.

[@raulos]

Cool, easy going content. Cheers and clear skies!

[@donorastrophoto]

I was so happy for you, when you finally managed to get everything running. :D Great video. :)

[@junglejim7664]

Great videos to date. Hope you can continue soon.

[@fmrc69]

I just love your home and the whole rooftop access! Perfect except for the awful light pollution but can still make it work with filters! You also probably already know this but you'll need the W.O. Saddle Handle Bar to properly attach your guide scope to the RedCat.

[@dazastronomy]

All 3 of your videos are seriously great! Awesome you can enjoy imaging from the warmth of your home by utilizing the ASI AIR pro. Hope everything is OK and you have some new videos at some point!

[@catherinegrimes2308]

I haven't seen a new video from you for over two years. Don't be shy, please do some more. By the way, I also have a RedCat and an ASIair.

[@stupattinson1031]

Loving your videos and your journey in astrophotography. Keep these videos going and whisky

[@Dudleydogg]

No Rail on that roof top Pad, I love it

[@KhalifaAlgady]

Great stuff, thanks for sharing!

[@domphoto101]

hope you finish next episode soon, looking forward to your findings.

[@MrGp3po]

The struggle is real. So much to learn, so much to go wrong, so much fun!

[@RumourHasitYT]

You certainly left people hanging with that ending. Amazing number of views and subs for three videos. Such potential and just abandoned

[@qguitar1]

Great vids, love you format and humor

[@simonpepper5053]

A fellow redcatter! Everyone should have a redcat! Great video shows the ups and downs of this hobby!

[@gravelking2.071]

Tips for finding faint DSOs. I see you have a really big dob - mount a green laser pointer on it in adjustable rings (using the finder shoe) and collimate it, find the object using the big aperture, highlight it with a pointer (in the eyepiece the beam should be pointed exactly at the object) - and simply follow the green beam on your astrophoto rig until you frame the object. The whole procedure is like 2-3 minutes.

[@jimb7931]

I'm waiting for my ASI Air and NightCat. Also waiting for Sky Watcher HEQ5 eq mount. Nice to know I can also use my Ioptron SkyGuider with only RA adjusting, at least for 250 mm telescope for some travel.

[@mooncamper243]

thanks a lot to shown us it, its very interesting

[@diegoquinonez488]

I died when you said "leo's butthole" I totally understood the frustration level you were at HAHA

[@mikelilja2542]

Absolutely love your videos! Please, Please make more. Me and my whiskey drinking had a terrible idea. Let's pick a subject and do a joint venture from your rooftop and my backyard. You got the rooftop, I got the backyard, lets make lots of videos. Is there a song in that? For sure, you have the talent!!

[@R1_adventures]

New sub. Like you in London, Paris is a Bortle 9 sky. It is quite rewarding to do astrophotography in such locations :) I’ve got quite a same setup as yours. But i changed my little mount sky whatcher star adventurer for a Skywhatcher AZ-GTI. Same payload but with goto and wifi. So now guiding on the 2 axes is possible. And the goto ... so nice to have to frame easily DSO :) Clear skies

[@ringod123]

If you havn't already you should try polar aligning with the ASIair, it's amazing.

[@rooftopastro8774]

Agree - polar alignment with the ASI air pro is a great experience. Showing how it works in the previous video (around 5:45) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mabZgIRnq6p-jbc

[@xs4allan]

6:12 into the video. Why we like this hobby. Nice video!

[@MichaelLevAstro]

Great video! Welcome to the frustrating world of autoguiding! Have to say, 6:32 , I could smell that shot 😂

[@olivierdamiron7279]

Huge points for your perseverance! Nice setup. The bug on the IPad is because you are wearing crocks. Throw them overboard, use flip flops and the ASIAIR will cooperate! :) No but seriously, your setup and location is enviable. Well done!

[@rooftopastro8774]

Haha should have known it was the crocks!

[@MrAgentEcho]

With guiding, accurate polar alignment and a sturdy tripod the star adventurer can do 15+ min exposures. I know that manfrotto tripod is probably expensive and very sturdy, it's made of carbon fiber and it's flexible. 4:00 just attach it with the screws onto the top of the redcat mounting ring.

[@TheZ3roCool]

Another great video! I just fixed my NEQ6 with a Rail Kit and PA is so smooth now. Pushed a 20min exposure for fun and got pin sharp stars, was amazed! No need though for a CMOS camera. Been out 4 nights in a row until 3AM and knackered. You can process out satellites or planes if you have enough subs (12+ I think) with Sigma Clipping in DSS. I am guessing either the 533MC or 183MC 😉

[@rooftopastro8774]

Nice!! Do you have a link for the Rail Kit? I’d be curious to learn more about it. Both cameras are good guesses :)

[@TheZ3roCool]

@@rooftopastro8774 This is the link to the product in the UK. A bit on the expensive side but fixes the one issue the NEQ6 mount has in my opinion at high altitudes (52deg+). www.darkframeoptics.com/product/eq6-rail I also did a small write up of the swap out I did here - stargazerslounge.com/topic/355413-sw-neq6-rail-kit-fitted/ :)

[@Mr6sess]

The Sv Bony 30mm guide scope looks and works the same but costs about 60% less $. I paid $43 for my Sv Bony and it works perfectly.

[@TheHocico]

I love your vids, ready for a new one :-)

[@aussiecqrider9524]

Nice video. I have the same setup as you, except I use a Celestron AVX goto mount. I had to wait a few months to get my ASIAIR Pro as it got stuck in China because of COVID19, but now just waiting for a clear night to test out my setup. I used to use a Sky Watcher Star Adventurer mount with the ASIAIR, so don't anticipate too many issues. As far as battery power for your camera, you can get a battery DC coupler that replaces your camera battery and can then use any 5V powerbank as a battery which can give you a few hours of power.

[@rooftopastro8774]

That's a good idea! I've actually switched from a DSLR to an astrocamera, so nowadays getting my power directly from the ASIair - very convenient.

[@aussiecqrider9524]

@@rooftopastro8774 what camera are you using now?

[@mwales2112]

My ASIAir Pro is on it's way and I can't wait to put it to work. The sky from my backyard is a Bortle 4 and I hope to produce some nice images. Have you thought about purchasing a EQ mount? Great work!! Keep the video's coming...

[@DaveAuld]

You need to get a DC coupler for your dslr. My Z50 battery usually dies, but not been able to find a coupler yet. Oh, and you have a perfect spot for an astro dome on that roof top! I'm currently looking at a Nexdome as sick fed up of having to setup and align every time I want to image. Waiting for an ASI2600 coming... Clear skies!

[@AncalimeNL]

you know hopefully by now, that the air can platesolve and give you an RA and Dec readout? Based on that, and where the object is, you can make the adjustments... no more need to crank your neck

[@Astrobloke]

Nice video

[@ToBeSet.]

New sub :) Also done the same finally pulled the trigger during the lockdown and this video sums up how I get on most nights! Currently using a Raspberry Pi with EKOS/Kstar but fancy a move to the ASI AIR Pro - Clear Skies

[@pekwalker]

FYI..The 120MM doesn't stand for millimeter. The MM stands for Monochrome. If it were the Color version of the camera, it would be the MC.

[@scadet17]

I have a very similar setup to yours, it took me forever to figure out the power issue. I finally found this guy: www.amazon.com/dp/B016BJCRUO/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_Nig1EbR0BFQHN It powers my entire setup for about 3 hours - ASI183MM Pro, ASI120MM, EFW and ASIAir Pro. I bought two of them and it gets me through a night of imaging (if you ever wanted to "unplug" and take your rig somewhere else). I would also recommend getting a green laser. They help immensely with target acquisition without a go-to mount. Since migrating from a DSLR to a dedicated astro camera I've found that finding the target has been half the battle since you can't see without taking an image. Also, if you haven't tried yet, make sure you turn 'off' your mount before you polar align with the ASIAir app. It doesn't communicate properly with the Skyguider Pro when you get to the 60 degree RA rotation step. Just make sure to turn on the mount once you're done aligning. Also, your flat is super rad ;)

[@rooftopastro8774]

Great pointers, thanks! Re: power, 3hrs seem abit limiting. I’ve been looking at Celestron’s power tank, which supposedly gives you 10hrs. www.celestron.com/products/powertank-lithium

[@rooftopastro8774]

Definitely agree - having to disconnect the mount before PA is annoying on the ASI air pro!

[@cucubits]

Are you still planning on making any more videos? I like the "Astrobiscuit style" you had going on, I'd love to see more. I'm having a blast with a Skyguider Pro and currently looking into getting into guiding.

[@rooftopastro8774]

Thanks!! I've got the next video about 60% edited... but yeah progress has been a bit slow lately. Work has been sucking up all my spare energy. Hoping this "break" won't be too long.

[@TheHocico]

@@rooftopastro8774 yippie :-)

[@eagleroth]

The set up you are "wrestling" with is very similar to what I aim for. Looking forward to see what dedicated astro camera you went for. Cheers, from a fellow Swede.

[@rooftopastro8774]

Great to hear! If you’re looking for something portable with a wide field of view, I’d definitely recommend it. Let me know what you settle on!

[@eagleroth]

@@rooftopastro8774 My goal is to find a set up allowing me to fit the Heart Nebula, where the camera (mono) + telescope, result in an arc sec/pixel ratio within the recommended 1- 2.

[@Odysseuss.]

Like. However power wise consider getting a 80-100Ah recreational battery for nice flat DC...apart from that crack on..

[@williamwesley5078]

This is the next step for me too, I can get 90 secs at a focal length of 200mm which isnt much but I wanna do 3 and 5min subs at a focal length of 350mm to 450mm...

[@olliecrabtree]

Someone get this guy a railing before he falls off the roof!

[@gregorymckenna6609]

You might want to invest in an AC power pack for your camera. Great video.

[@Barbaria_Sailing]

Good and funny video, keep it up 👍

[@leonidtalas696]

Good video, thanks! I have a question. The autoguider guides only the RA axis, right? So basically it only corrects for the imperfections of the mount/gears system in RA axis provided the perfect polar allignment exist? Correct? I suppose your DEC axis would be giving the substantial star trails if not perfectly polar alligned, as well as the imperfections mentioned earlier. I dont really understand the purpose of long exposure autoguiding on one axis only. Am I wrong?

[@TelfordO]

3 Cracking Videos then no more, i was hoping to see which Astro camera you choose and how you got on with it :(

[@PetterAstrom]

Roligt! Inte alls som förstår ;).

[@MrAsdf1980]

I am glad to see your channel. Very well shots and your setup what i would like to build. I would like to ask you that did you know small rig adapter for more stable mount for guiding scope?

[@johnwillsund]

Great videos! How’s the new camera?!

[@philippe6771]

Can u please make a Video where u show the settings of your dslr when u connect it to the asiair pro?

[@Cachefinder]

Wow... NICE! ;). I like your Videos

[@jerryguzman5281]

hi can you try dummy batteries with the use of ifootage electric ray

[@ldipenti]

Hi there! I just found out your channel, really nice videos! While I'm waiting for my ASIAir, I can learn more about it by viewing your experiences and struggles, thanks for that. What I wanted to ask you: You had a tough time to find the triplet on the first time, can you use the device's plate solving capabilities to aid you in that operation? I've been able to do so with my laptop, connecting plate solving software to Stellarium, and I was kind of hoping that the ASIAir would be a replacement for that, too. Cheers from Argentina!

[@rooftopastro8774]

Hey Lucas - you absolutely can. I just hadn't figured it out when I recorded the video :) E.g. the ASIAir pro can tell you your current "position" and you can blindly slew until it's about right. Star-hopping has its charm, but plate solving is definitely faster.

[@feedthegeeks]

Where did you go? Next video?

[@ElGronto]

Great video! How are you using dew control? I'm looking into buying the Pegasus Powerbox in combination with the ASI Air

[@MrGChuff]

Zwo have released a beta version with adjustable dew control for the 4 power outputs. If you use astrozap dew bands, for example, you would need a dc male to rca lead available from first light optics here in the UK. For the latest Asiair beta version you can download it via the Asiair Facebook page. Anyhow it’ll be released as a full version soon enough but no need to buy a PPB although I do use both, but on separate rigs.

[@rooftopastro8774]

To be honest I haven't felt a compelling need for dew control yet. It's been well above the dew point every night I've been out for the last 3 months. Suspect that will change at some point though.

[@garysheedy8348]

Great Video what is the bracket you are using to secure the ASI air pro to the tripod leg

[@ScottDavies]

Quick question : How is your new power cable working? 12v,10a. Is it enough to power all your gear? Reason for asking is I am putting together virtually the same rig 😉

[@Ludspo]

It’s been a bit since you have uploaded

[@humwhatever185]

Great video ! There's just one thing i don't understand : how did you get light on your dark frames ? I take them with the cap on and no light can get in, even during the day. Did you take your darks using a t shirt like your flats ? That may be the problem. Try using the cap of the telescope next time ! Good luck and clear skies !

[@rooftopastro8774]

If its true that no light gets in even during the day for several minutes long exposures, you have an amazing lens cap! :) I've tried doubling up with plastic containers and garment, but light still finds its way in unfortunately.

[@humwhatever185]

@@rooftopastro8774 huh that sucks... maybe in a black room ? I take 30sec darks so that may explain why i don't have any light. Taking them at night is still the best way imo, I like to take them just when the skies becomes too bright to shoot, around 4:30am depending on the season, that way it's still the night but I don't loose exposure time because the skies slowly turn blue during long exposures. Not sure if that makes sense haha, anyways good luck and clear skies !

[@nelsonrivera6575]

I am only starting om AP ,but i guess ill go through that too, but your video helps me tackle what ever comes up, ok question ,i see you are using ASIair and a dslr, are you plugging the dslr to the asiair , the reason i ask is im using a canon t6, and i cant get it to work of the asiair ,i have to connect it to the comp otherwise it wont "see it" ,so i have to use backyard eos too

[@jjaimesmx]

One thing I notices about all these astrophotographers is.... Why do you all whisper when vloging at night, is the camera going to shake to much at a normal volume?

[@jeffslade1892]

How do you use PHD through the ASIAIR as PHD is Windows or MacOS only, and the ASIAIR only connects to fondle slabs? Somewhat puzzled as I have a very similar rig and have to connect by cables through the cat flap to laptop.

[@carlosinPSL]

Why only 3 videos?

[@grkuntzmd]

Is there an AC adapter available for your DSLR? I bought mine for the Sony a6000 for about 30 USD on Amazon.

[@bobbeanbags]

Awesome! Question, how did you get the photos live from the 80D on your iPad? Were you using the canon camera connect or the asi software? Thanks!

[@rooftopastro8774]

I use the ASIAIR app only - it talks to the ASI Air pro, who in turn taps in directly to the camera feed via USB cable, so no pictures are stored on the SD card

[@bobbeanbags]

@@rooftopastro8774 Cool! For some reason my Canon 7D MkII is not showing up on this list of cameras in the ASIAIR software ... I tried my EOS R also and that is not showing up either, I must be doing something wrong. Will look at it and try again today ...

[@bobbeanbags]

I can’t get the Asiair pro to see either camera ... I’ve tried 2 different canon cameras and 2 different usb cables.

[@rooftopastro8774]

Oh, that sucks! Must be some sort of bug. I had a similar problem that went away by connecting to the ASI air briefly with my Android phone before going back to the iPad. The 7DmkII is a supported model so it should really be working...

[@rohandp11]

I have nearly the exact same setup (SkyGuider Pro, ASIAIR Pro, ZWO Mini Scope and ASI120Mini), and having the same error message pop up about "failing to connect, open guide camera first". What did you do to resolve that issue? Everything else is working great, I'm sure I'm just missing a step.

[@Rocketeer_777]

I’ve had the same issue, did you get it fixed? Can’t find any video and tutorials on properly setting up guide scope and camera. I couldn’t even get a signal. Please share your experience . Thanks!

[@alpsalish]

I don't think star trackers follow the Earth's rotation. They run counter to the rotation.

[@Bakrybaso94]

Come back :(

[@gustube2000]

Excellent blog technique, but please come straight to the point because because too much superfluous information. Thank you

[@Sidecontrol1234]

ive just gotten the same guide scope and camera, did you have to do much adjustments to the guide scope to get it in focus?

[@rooftopastro8774]

Yeah, that was a pain TBH. I had to extend it almost completely. Ended up doing it in the day so I could see what I was doing.

[@williamhuang5329]

Hanzhen harmonicc gear , robot arm joint , over 30 years experience

[@timburgess1528]

Do you mind me asking how you mount the asiair pro to your tripod leg, is there some adapter for this? Thanks!

[@rooftopastro8774]

I'm using a Crab Clamp with 1/4" screwhole I found here - quite nifty: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07F72MS8Y

[@Castyo]

Asi air pro can manage a dslr like an asi cam? So change exposure, gain etc?

[@rooftopastro8774]

They can indeed - although support may depend on camera model.

[@MetaView7]

The schools need to add more astronomy focus.

[@Kyle_Hubbard]

R.I.P, dead channel.

[@williamwesley5078]

WARNING: Stinky feet Alert at 6:32.....jk..lol

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

Like your videos but you either don't realize or know but you are not seeing in real time and you are not seeing the same image you are going to process. The file you are looking at is a jpeg, the file you will process is a FITS. Hope you know by now.

[@rooftopastro8774]

Hi there - the previews you see in the the ASI app is linear data with an applied transform, that you can vary yourself in real time.

[@Swedeonamotorcycle]

I believe i hear Swedish accent? In that case: Jäklar vilken takterass! Ramla inte ner.. :) ............. Ah 12:08