EAA - Nebula, Clusters and a Variable Star

In this video we take a look at some objects in the August Night Sky using Electronic Assisted Astronomy (EAA). Simply put, the eyepiece is replaced with a camera and we view the night sky in real time (ish) with incredible detail and colour!
As always, my trusty Celestron CPC-800 (8"-SCT) is out on the decking and attached is a F6.3 focal reducer and an Altair Astro 294c colour camera.
On the software side we will be using SharpCap RC3, Stellarium 23.2+ Qt6, AstroPlanner 2.4b22, ASTAP, SIRL and Windows Photo.
We stacked 4s subs, gain 1000, black level 100, dark and flat. Total exposure is usually around 5 minutes. Apologies, I used an old flat calibration file!
Have fun.
Pete

[@jamesianhampton108]

Another great video Pete!

[@Xio2011]

Hi James, thank you. I hope you have been getting some clear skies in Kent. Have you added the Celestron Focuser to your setup yet? Doug at @EmeraldHillsSkies did a live EAA stream last night. That is going to be my breakfast viewing this morning. Have fun.

[@jamesianhampton108]

@@Xio2011 Hi Pete, I did manage to get hold of a celestron focus motor and found it very easy to setup, still finding the autofocus routine in sharpcap a little flaky, but can always fall back on the Y mask I made! Unfortunately all my astronomy gear is currently packed away, we moved back to the North West two weeks ago and still unpacking boxes and trying to get settled. I am hoping to get to the point where I can get set up again in the next month or so.. then we’ll see what the Lancashire weather has in store! Please keep posting your EAA videos, I always learn something from them! Cheers, Ian!

[@willriker6262]

Hi Pete,
I very much enjoy your EAA sessions. Pretty unique and pleasant style.
Have you ever considered upgrading your rig with a Hyperstar?
I'm pretty much in the same situation, enjoying EAA and having a SCT on Alt-Az and I can highly recommend it.

[@Xio2011]

Thank you for your kind comment. EAA with a Hyperstar must be amazing. You must get some great results.
The CPC-800 I have is not naturally Hyperstar compatible. Not a Fastar logo or knurled nut in site on the secondary (it is old). I guess, Starizona might have a conversion kit available. For now, the old CPC at F6.3 will have to suffice :-)
If you ever get the time, it would be great to see a CZcams video of an EAA session with your Hyperstar. Have fun!

[@willriker6262]

@@Xio2011 Well I´d say at least the results are faster :) . I think I´ve read something about a conversion kit down till a certain manufacture date, but of course it won´t make it cheaper.
Time is not the issue. I wouldn´t like to make such a video from the field and the FOV from my bakony is a nightmare. Besides that, in my opinion not everyone who is technically able to create and post videos should do it. And that includes me, too :D
Keep up the good work 👍