Thanks mate, there is still some tweaking to be made to the system but hopefully I can have a nice imaging session tomorrow night under nice dark skies and see what I come up with.... Now do I shoot the Seven Sisters..... Orion or HorseHead??? So many targets.....lol
Also I have the same guiding setup and I absolutely love my little Evoguide. It makes for a nice portable frac for both visual and imaging too and you can even get a flattener for it.
Hi Argus, sorry for the slow reply I have only just seen this comment. I had no idea you could get a flattener for the little Evoguide, it's a really well built little scope that!
Thank you Thank you for doing the whole setup that has answered a tons of questions that I have. I am considering on buying the RASA 8 but no one could explain how they align the mount and telescope to the night sky. I have a Celestron GTX mount and I do have a pole master for the polar alignment all I need is to get the bracket for the pole master. Again thank you for making this video. - Paul
Cheers mate, yeah I have risers but chose to keep things low and sleek. Makes storage easier and this way I don’t have to dismantle anything. Guide scope doesn’t get in the way of anything so it’s all good :)
Hi, friend! Thank you for your videos, your content and the time you dedicate to it are greatly appreciated. We have a problem, we have an 8-inch RASA and we have already adjusted it to the correct rear focus distance, but in one of the corners and almost reaching the center, the stars look like donuts, the rest of the image the stars are perfect Someone tells us that it must be a collimation issue but we don't know how it is done. Another option they tell us is that it could be a Tilt issue somewhere in the optical train. What a mess!! Any help will be very valuable! 😃Hug !
did you use any filters for that image? For the ASI AIR do you need to have a view of the SCP (or NCP) to do the polar alignment? I can't see the SCP due to a large retaining wall and being in northern QLD.
I used the Celestron RASA 8 light pollution filter. You do need a view of the SCP, as the scope will sleep to approx 60 degrees for the polar alignment process. I have the same issue at my parents property under dark skies, their shed and carport block the polar alignment process.
Im struggling newbie with similar equipment. So, you have to connect guide camera to main imaging camera? Also, are you using a light pollution filter in place of the clear window that comes with the Rasa? I am trying to use the Starizona filter slider drawer, but when I attach it along with ASI533 camera, the drawer frame impacts the black scope retaining ring. So that's why I am asking camera questions. I have ordered ASI-air Pro, but will have to use a laptop until it arrives. I haven't even yet progressed to first trial polar alignment. At this rate, scope will get first real light in a year or so. Like you, though in Texas, I have light pollution and limited sky at home to work with. I plan to drive to remote sites, but this equipment is bulky, and the mount EQ6R is VERY heavy.
Hi Paul, sorry for the slow reply. So the guide camera plugs into a USB port into the ASI Air as well as the main imaging camera. I use the RASA 8" Light pollution filter in replacement of the clear window that comes with the RASA. When you get the ASI Air you will love it! Makes imaging so much more easier and fun! I hope I've helped with your questions :)
Two questions: 1. Do you need any extra network hardware involved when you use your tablet connected to your ASI-air when you are in your house? 2. Any plans to upgrade to the ASI-air-pro?
Nah I don’t use any extra network connections it’s all done via wifi from tablet to asiair. I do plan to upgrade to the newer asi air pro mostly for the extra power ports. Other than that I’m really happy with the original version.
Great video Steve! Why did you go with the RASA? Vs say an SCT from Celestron. Can you do regular viewing from the RASA or is it just photography? Thx mate!
Hi mate, I’ll start with the second question first. You can’t use a RASA for regular viewing, it’s been designed as an astrograph and this is where it excels. It’s all about how quickly can you capture light, the faster the optics the more light in a shorter exposure can be achieved eliminating super long exposures which then eliminate tracking errors.
Thank you 😊 I’m using the Celestron RASA 8” Light Pollution filter. Tarantula is a beauty that’s for sure and we are very lucky here but I wish andromeda was higher above the horizon for us in Aus, jealous of you guys :)
Orinids are happening now , have you done meteors before? That was a great explanation of the system and it looks too expensive for me (at the moment).
In my opinion it’s all about capturing light as fast as possible, F2 optics over F4 optics will capture more light over the same exposure length creating more detailed images.
The finder scope was used for guiding and that’s all it’s roll was. Hope that helps with your question. The RASA itself when using software like NINA and plate solving there isn’t too much need for alignments apart from polar alignment.
@@StevenMorrisPhotography Thanks mate, and any need for an off-axis guider? I'm talking with a salesperson and they are telling me I need it for longer exposures (despite the fact I have an CGX EQ stand). What are your thoughts on this? I'm also in Aus, happy to exchange emails and share some images once I get online.
Feel free to contact me via email :) when it comes to guiding I use a William optics uniguide 32mm with my rasa and a qhy guide camera. An off axis guider won’t work with a RASA as they sit between the camera and optics of the telescope. So you’ll need a stand alone guider.
Exposures range from 30 seconds, 300 seconds and 600 seconds, there are about 10 exposures for 300 seconds, 6 for 600 seconds and I think it’s about 60 at 30 seconds.
Chhuppa Rustom yeah I wanted to see how deep I could go data wise in my light polluted suburb. Could make things interesting when I shoot in darker locations. As for the mount itself it’s the old Celestron CGEM not the new version that’s out now.
So far I absolutely love it! So much better than carrying a laptop around out in the field. That's the reason why I went back to DSLR astro from Mono, carrying around so much gear took the fun out of it all.
Thanks for that, I’ve already came across it and would prefer to make one for myself and how I would like things to setup. Plus that setup reduces diffraction I believe where I would like diffraction...... well for now 😊
What an amazing shot
Thanks mate.....Can't wait to get under dark skies!
I just thought you'd appreciate knowing CZcams put this on my home screen. Good job CZcams! Subbed!
Cheers for the sub Argus 😊
Love watching your videos
Thanks you so much, means a lot to me!
This is great Steven. Very useful info
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it
Beautiful shot!
Thank you very much mate :)
Very colorful..and sharp.. Impossible to see such colors with the naked eye..
I couldn't agree more.... the colours are just stunning!
Great shot Steven!! Beyond that you did connected everything so innovatively. That setup you designed it well!
Thanks mate, there is still some tweaking to be made to the system but hopefully I can have a nice imaging session tomorrow night under nice dark skies and see what I come up with.... Now do I shoot the Seven Sisters..... Orion or HorseHead??? So many targets.....lol
@@StevenMorrisPhotography that's a nice problem to have!
The overall quality of this video made me belive you had well over 100k subscribers, very well made!
Thank you very much 😊 I’ve only really just started so I hope videos can improve over time.
Your too kind!
Also I have the same guiding setup and I absolutely love my little Evoguide. It makes for a nice portable frac for both visual and imaging too and you can even get a flattener for it.
Hi Argus, sorry for the slow reply I have only just seen this comment.
I had no idea you could get a flattener for the little Evoguide, it's a really well built little scope that!
Thank you Thank you for doing the whole setup that has answered a tons of questions that I have. I am considering on buying the RASA 8 but no one could explain how they align the mount and telescope to the night sky. I have a Celestron GTX mount and I do have a pole master for the polar alignment all I need is to get the bracket for the pole master. Again thank you for making this video. - Paul
Your very welcome, I’m glad I could have been of assistance 😊
Finally someone who understood the sampling right 😎 have the 183 camera too 😉
Hehe thanks. I will look into the 183 next year I think, hope your enjoying that camera 😊
Found you on Instagram. Cheers from another RAdelaidian! 💕
Hehe why thank you 😊
Cool Vid Steve. I would have used riser blocks on your guide scope.
Cheers mate, yeah I have risers but chose to keep things low and sleek. Makes storage easier and this way I don’t have to dismantle anything. Guide scope doesn’t get in the way of anything so it’s all good :)
Hi, friend! Thank you for your videos, your content and the time you dedicate to it are greatly appreciated.
We have a problem, we have an 8-inch RASA and we have already adjusted it to the correct rear focus distance, but in one of the corners and almost reaching the center, the stars look like donuts, the rest of the image the stars are perfect Someone tells us that it must be a collimation issue but we don't know how it is done. Another option they tell us is that it could be a Tilt issue somewhere in the optical train. What a mess!! Any help will be very valuable! 😃Hug !
did you use any filters for that image?
For the ASI AIR do you need to have a view of the SCP (or NCP) to do the polar alignment? I can't see the SCP due to a large retaining wall and being in northern QLD.
I used the Celestron RASA 8 light pollution filter.
You do need a view of the SCP, as the scope will sleep to approx 60 degrees for the polar alignment process.
I have the same issue at my parents property under dark skies, their shed and carport block the polar alignment process.
Im struggling newbie with similar equipment. So, you have to connect guide camera to main imaging camera? Also, are you using a light pollution filter in place of the clear window that comes with the Rasa? I am trying to use the Starizona filter slider drawer, but when I attach it along with ASI533 camera, the drawer frame impacts the black scope retaining ring. So that's why I am asking camera questions.
I have ordered ASI-air Pro, but will have to use a laptop until it arrives. I haven't even yet progressed to first trial polar alignment. At this rate, scope will get first real light in a year or so. Like you, though in Texas, I have light pollution and limited sky at home to work with. I plan to drive to remote sites, but this equipment is bulky, and the mount EQ6R is VERY heavy.
Hi Paul, sorry for the slow reply. So the guide camera plugs into a USB port into the ASI Air as well as the main imaging camera.
I use the RASA 8" Light pollution filter in replacement of the clear window that comes with the RASA.
When you get the ASI Air you will love it! Makes imaging so much more easier and fun!
I hope I've helped with your questions :)
Two questions: 1. Do you need any extra network hardware involved when you use your tablet connected to your ASI-air when you are in your house? 2. Any plans to upgrade to the ASI-air-pro?
Nah I don’t use any extra network connections it’s all done via wifi from tablet to asiair. I do plan to upgrade to the newer asi air pro mostly for the extra power ports. Other than that I’m really happy with the original version.
Great video Steve! Why did you go with the RASA? Vs say an SCT from Celestron. Can you do regular viewing from the RASA or is it just photography? Thx mate!
Hi mate, I’ll start with the second question first. You can’t use a RASA for regular viewing, it’s been designed as an astrograph and this is where it excels. It’s all about how quickly can you capture light, the faster the optics the more light in a shorter exposure can be achieved eliminating super long exposures which then eliminate tracking errors.
Very nice shot and well processed. What filter did you use? Tarantula Nebula is my favorite nebula,but unfortunately not visible from US :)
Thank you 😊
I’m using the Celestron RASA 8” Light Pollution filter.
Tarantula is a beauty that’s for sure and we are very lucky here but I wish andromeda was higher above the horizon for us in Aus, jealous of you guys :)
@@StevenMorrisPhotography No I am more jealous :) I recommend you to shoot the Tarantula in Narrow band.
I will have to keep that in mind for the future, maybe I will get into a little bit of narrowband imaging.
Orinids are happening now , have you done meteors before?
That was a great explanation of the system and it looks too expensive for me (at the moment).
One of my first time lapses was of a meteor shower, I haven’t done one since. Maybe that’s something I will do in the future :)
Hi there! What the big difference in the astrophoto between rasa and for example netonian 10” f4? Is it big deal to have rasa just to have it?
In my opinion it’s all about capturing light as fast as possible, F2 optics over F4 optics will capture more light over the same exposure length creating more detailed images.
Great vid mate. Where do you order your gear from?
Hi Mate, I order most of my gear from Bintel in Sydney.
Hi Steven, is the finder/spotter scope necessary? I am looking to buy a RASA 8 and figured the main camera could be used for alignment/calibration?
The finder scope was used for guiding and that’s all it’s roll was. Hope that helps with your question.
The RASA itself when using software like NINA and plate solving there isn’t too much need for alignments apart from polar alignment.
@@StevenMorrisPhotography Thanks mate, and any need for an off-axis guider? I'm talking with a salesperson and they are telling me I need it for longer exposures (despite the fact I have an CGX EQ stand). What are your thoughts on this? I'm also in Aus, happy to exchange emails and share some images once I get online.
Feel free to contact me via email :) when it comes to guiding I use a William optics uniguide 32mm with my rasa and a qhy guide camera. An off axis guider won’t work with a RASA as they sit between the camera and optics of the telescope. So you’ll need a stand alone guider.
600 sec exposures? Are you in a Bortle 1 zone?
Nice image! How many sub exposures / duration?
Exposures range from 30 seconds, 300 seconds and 600 seconds, there are about 10 exposures for 300 seconds, 6 for 600 seconds and I think it’s about 60 at 30 seconds.
@@StevenMorrisPhotography I am impressed that you took 10 min exposures. It's a Celestron mount - which model?
Chhuppa Rustom yeah I wanted to see how deep I could go data wise in my light polluted suburb. Could make things interesting when I shoot in darker locations.
As for the mount itself it’s the old Celestron CGEM not the new version that’s out now.
Very nice! But you shouldn’t extend your tripod fully unless it is absolutely necessary as it will make your guiding etc worse.
I never extend my Tripod fully, it’s mostly half way or less. This might have been an exception.
Are you happy with the ASIAIR?
So far I absolutely love it! So much better than carrying a laptop around out in the field. That's the reason why I went back to DSLR astro from Mono, carrying around so much gear took the fun out of it all.
@@StevenMorrisPhotography great thanks!
Here's a 3d printable cable manager for the Rasa/Edge HD. www.thingiverse.com/thing:2640393
Thanks for that, I’ve already came across it and would prefer to make one for myself and how I would like things to setup. Plus that setup reduces diffraction I believe where I would like diffraction...... well for now 😊