My Astrophotography Setup Tutorial with ASIAir
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- Опубликовано: 25 июл 2024
- A beginner walkthrough tutorial of my astrophotography setup with the ASIAir Plus (or Pro). I also do an overview of my rig including the Celestron RASA 8, iOptron CEM40, and ASI1600MM Pro.
00:00 Welcome
01:14 Rig Overview
03:04 Tripod Setup/Running Power/Counterweights
04:43 Level the Mount
05:48 Attaching and Balancing the Telescope
09:10 Power Up Mount and Using ASIAir
10:35 Electronic Autofocus
11:13 Polar Alignment
13:40 Slew to Target
15:13 Autoguiding Calibration
16:11 Thanks for Watching!
My Equipment:
Telescope: Celestron RASA 8
Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM Pro
Mount: iOptron CEM40
Filters: 2" Baader RGB and f/2 3.5/4nm Narrowband SHO
Guide Camera: ZWO ASI290MM Mini
Guide Scope: Orion 60mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
ZWO ASIAir Plus
ZWO EAF (Electronic Automatic Focuser)
Twitter: / nickjlake
Insta: / nickjlake
Astrobin: www.astrobin.com/users/bortle9/
Video shot on Pixel 4 XL
Rode Wireless Go microphone system
Photographs of the universe, with galaxies, stars, nebulae, supernovas, comets, planets, Moon, Sun. Inspiring wonder about the night sky, even from the light pollution of Chicago. 
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Thanks for watching everyone! How long does your setup generally take?
5 mins for me and most of that is to align the dot fine
@@ARMadillo18 Awesome!
10 minutes as long as the cover is on my tripod and scope!
@@bobbeanbags Jealous 😂
@@WindyCityAstrophotography ha! Is this being recorded? In an Uber now lol
Showing exactly where each item plugs in !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you know how good these videos are !!!!!!!!!!!!!
For a beginner it's such a bowl of spaghetti all the wires and connections. Also, fantastic overview of cable
management AND your using my Celestron Dynamo Pro haha! Downloaded this one, will watch next with
a note pad and pen.
Thanks Robert! I try to include details in my videos that I wish had been included in others when I was getting started, so glad it's paying off!
Another super educational video, thank you!! 🙏
Lovely clear and instructional video Nick, thank you. Another comment spoke of mutual validation, so true. I’m looking forwards to the guiding episode too. 😊
Thanks, Pete! Glad you enjoyed it!
This video was tremendously helpful in helping me decide on getting this mount. I bought a RASA 8 used and currently have the Celeestron AVX mount. I'm returning that to Highpoint in favor of the CEM40.
Excellent. Looking forward to your next one. Clear skies from CO to you in my former home town
Thanks so much!
So helpful. Concise and brief. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome!
As a former Chicagoan, I'm glad to see that you can take great images from a Bortle 8 area!
Once I finish my PA, I always slew to a bright star (sirus, arcturus, vega etc.) and complete fine focus with Batinhov Mask; from there I return to home position to slew to Target (for same reasons as you). This kinda confirms my PA in my mind that the mount is setup correctly. Great video! Enjoyed seeing the hot pink ipad case! :)
Thanks! Yes, imaging from the city is a special thing and I am always amazed when that first preview rolls in. Haha yeah the ipad case my most colorful accessory 😎
FANTASTIC! Your videos are so ‘user friendly’….you do such a nice job patiently walking through each step. Although my set up routine is almost exactly like yours….for some reason I found your video comforting (i.e., consensual validation perhaps). Please, I would absolutely love for you to do a video on guiding with the ASIAIR Plus. I’ve always been reluctant to touch any of the original settings. Again, I think your videos are amazing and as another person commented, shooting from Bortle 8 is an inspiration (I’m just outside of Manhattan).
Thanks very much! Oh, the validation aspect of it is very real. Even if there are multiple valid ways of doing something it's always nice to see someone do it the same. Yes, I hope to do a video on guiding soon. I had been happy with the defaults for a long time and then I started doing some research and ended up with good results, so a few things to share in that video!
Great video!! I'm a beginner using ASI air plus which i haven't used due to CLOUDS, looking forward to more of your videos on how to take those flats,darks. Love your detailed in depth videos very helpful and non confusing thanks!
Awesome, thank you! I've got a video on Flats and one on building a Dark library you should check out! I'm glad the videos aren't confusing sometimes I get pretty turned around in editing 😎
I saw your videos AWESOME just what i needed help on darks & flats. I have ZWO 183MC Pro along with plenty of clouds in bortle 8 skies next to dfw airport lol. I'll be starting on Dark/Flats library, many thanks again.
@@marygarcia4544 excellent, glad to hear it!
Great video. Nice to see steps others take with a similar setup. Minus the sweet RASA. Love the hollow cable pass!! EQ6R-pro doesn't have that. Have the same ethernet cable for lan connection. I break down every time unless it's late spring and summer, then I just cover it. My custom power supply has dedicated power rails for each main component. ASI Air pro does the EAF and the EFW ( when using the mono image train). I haven't leveled since first time. Bubble looks good every time so far 🤞. Nice cable management. Mine isn't as clean but not bad. Appreciate another perspective, a lot of similarities. Cheers Nick!
Thanks! Yes the cable pass is really nice for keeping a clean setup.
Hey Nick, nice video again. My setup time is around 30 minutes too. But with two mounts. You've inspired me to make a similar video too.
I think the main reason for me reducing the setup of a single mount to about 10-15 minutes is that I don't care too much about the mount level. Another contributing factor is that I always setup on the same location on my lawn. I have them marked by three colored pegs (six now I have two mounts).
I have the scope and camera's also pre-setup in my shed. So I only bring out the mounts to their locations. Mount the counterweights. Connect the power and mount the scopes. The polar alignment routine takes the longest amount of time during my setup. Mostly around 5 minutes. I usually setup during daylight/dawn so polar alignment is mostly done quite some time after the initial setup.
Thanks Martin! Yes, the pegs are a really good idea. I only really have two general spots I set up in; I should think about doing something similar.
@@WindyCityAstrophotography I sent you an email...
Hi Nick, thanks for the Video, as with all your videos excellent and useful. You mentioned in the video that you were going to do a more detailed run through on the setting and setup for the autofocus but could not find so assumed it fell off the to do list. Is there any chance you could share your ASIAIR eaf setting for the edgeHD 8 as I am struggling to get it to work well on my similar set up. Thanks Eric
बहुत ही अच्छा वीडियो है दोस्त, शुक्रिया वीडियो को साझा करने के लिए:)102
Thank you!
I have the Celestron Edge 8", an iOptron GEM45 and an ASIair Pro. I was puzzled that you used a phone app to align your mount. When using a phone compass I have found it to be unreliable and the magnetic field, presumably from the motor, upsets it even more. I use a hiking compass and hold it several feet away from the mount and that can be quite reliable, but it is easier in the UK because magnetic north aligns quite well with the North Celestial Pole.
You were concerned about your telescope sliding through the saddle and landing on the floor. My Edge came with end stops and you just screw them into the dovetail with one at the front and the other at the rear. If you don't have them, you could get some longish 1/4" bolts (the same thread as the bottom of a camera) and pack them with washers to give a long end stop and inch or so long, doing that should work.
Unfortunately, the GEM45 doesn't support running USB cables through the mount. There is a USB 2 socket on the saddle but it doesn't support an ASIair being plugged into it and controlling the mount. This seems like an oversight.
Thanks, Catherine! Generally I just eyeball the north star and then I'm close enough for when I polar align, but I have found that the compass is fairly accurate, which is nice when I'm setting up before Polar is visible. The RASA did come with a bolt to put in the dovetail; I just never remember to bring it with and it's much easier for me to slide the dovetail in from the front end of the scope so I would have to take the bolt out every time anyway. Although now that you mention it I could thread it into one of the holes in the ASIAir to keep track of it...hmm!
Great video, I have a CEM 40 too and sometimes no matter how much I adjust the alt knobs I can’t seem to get polar aligned.. I live at 56 degree latitude and even when I push the mount to 60 degrees it just about gets there.. looking forward to in depth videos on polar alignment, focusing and guiding.. thank you!
Thanks! Interesting, have you tried switching the latitude range setting to the other option? Or maybe you are far enough North only one of them works?
I live on 52N. The markings on the mount might not be that accurate. I think that in this case it is extra important to have the mount level. Imagine having the tripod leg that is on the meridian to be too low. Then the mount head will need to be pointed an extra amount of degrees to compensate.
@@KopLamp really good point Martin, and I really like your videos!
I live about 35 miles (Straight line) from the Loop so I know the struggle with bad skies but still get good results on most objects, it's just the faint ones I have issues with, like dark nebula.
Very nice! Yes I always have a list of objects to go for in dark skies when I have the chance, and I usually concentrate on narrowband in the city
Are you still planning to do another video on the EAF Mechanism? I cannot seem to find any data on the Celestron Focuser, Step size, focus backlash etc.. Would be nice if you would
Was about to watch another video, and RUclips suggested this one. I've been researching ASIAR plus lately. I live north of you in bortle 9 Milwaukee. Just use a few star trackers with Lenses (bought an OTA, another story for later). Star hopping is nearly impossible when you can't even see "visible" stars. I have a staradventurer GT1 on order to pair with the Asiair, if I do this. You guys with advanced rigs seems too much. I'm just trying to make due. Anyway thanks! I'll be checking more of your stuff out.
Thanks very much! Very cool, I am often up imaging near Milwaukee at my in-laws. Yes, visible stars are tricky in the city! The GTi looks really great! For a less advanced AP rig, you could consider something like the iOptron CEM25, which will run you about the same as the GTi, but with more room to expand. Do you mainly do DSLR imaging?
@@WindyCityAstrophotography Yes, I have an astromoded Rebel T7i (IR cut filter removed, heat sink added) with astronomik HA clip in. 2 other Canon bodies as well. Thanks for the suggestion.
Great video. One of the best ones for new AAP users. Have you had any issues with the newest update? My reticle on the Polar Alignment seems to be missing. The adjustments are still calculated just no visual cues on screen.
Thanks very much! I have not had that issue, no! Yikes, that is not ideal, but I suppose you can still achieve polar alignment
@@WindyCityAstrophotography Not a deal breaker by any means.
Thanks for the video Nick. Have you ever had issues with your mount settling in the grass as it slews altering your tracking?
I have occasionally wondered if that is an issue but mainly when I'm setting up on snow or ice. Unless the ground is really soft I don't think the settling would affect it too much. Or at least nothing the autoguiding couldn't cover for
30 mins if all goes well, oh I dig the Tablet holder
I keep coming back to this video and each time I find another tip to use. You mention that you clear the last session calibration on your guiding. I’m under the impression that if I try to set a calibration as close to the celestial equator as possible, I can use this each time (assuming I’m set up at the same location). Is this a mistake? Should I recalibrate each night? Please keep up the fantastic, nuts&bolt videos….they are VERY encouraging.
Thanks! That's a good question! If your guiding is good enough without recalibration then that works! I generally calibrate guiding after everything else is set up when I have centered on my target for the night. I am almost always around .35 or .40. I personally have never had good results without recalibration, but I also have not been deliberately doing it on the celestial equator.
Moving to Oak Park, IL in a few weeks and will miss my bortle 3 skies. I have been researching what I need to add NB to my current setup and came across your channel. Any good astronomy clubs in the area?
Nice! Chicago Astronomical Society would be good to check out for sure.
Grrat video Nick. One question. Do you use/connect the Go2Nova hand controller with the ASIair? If so how and what settings in the AIR? If not, is it used at all or perhaps just to upgrade the mounts firmware? Thanks, Harry
Thank you! Yes, I have the controller connected, but a couple times I've left it off with no issue. Occasionally I have had connection issues or the ASIAir has to reboot or something and I manually slew or go to home position using it, but otherwise unused.
Well done....I follow that setup almost to the letter, with one exception. I have read and have since implemented installing the counter weights with a loosened RA axis. What are your thoughts ? I tighten the RA only when mounting the scope setup.
I find your videos very informative and look forward to your next in depth videos on the ASI Air
Thanks, Mike! Interesting, on my mount it is only totally free or totally locked, but I suppose it could work. Is it to reduce potential wear/damage on the gears? Cool idea, I will look into it
@@WindyCityAstrophotography yes sir....what I have read on forums, leave the RA unlocked when the scope is not installed and the weights are being installed. I don't have proof that it saves on potential wear/damage to the gears, but it does sound logical. Thank you for the prompt reply.
@@mikelockwood2104 I guess it couldn't hurt! I will try to remember that next time I set up and see how I like it
@@mikelockwood2104 I would say it could really be wearing out the brake mechanism since if you think about it, that unbalanced shaft with a hefty weight on one end must put unbalanced pressure on the gears inside, much higher than it would ever experience with even weight on both sides.
@@bencenemet4059 agreed - that makes logical sense. I store my Stellarvue refractor on an iOptron GEM45 inside the house on a tripod when not in use. I unlock the RA axis and place the counterweights at the bottom of the shaft to prevent accidental tipping of the scope. What are your thoughts on that ?
Ive found, and Cuiv the lazy geek has a video on this, that 100% exact leveling is not really that important as long as your polar alignment is on-point. Thoughts? :)
Yes I have seen that and mostly agree, though it is MUCH easier to achieve polar alignment if your mount is level, otherwise as you turn a knob it is adjusting on two axes instead of one
I agree with what Nick just said about polar alignment being easier with a level mount, but even with my mount not completely level I’m able to pretty easily get to less than an arcminute of polar alignment error. And I recently saw a video by Dr. Robin Glover on the difference that polar alignment error makes and 1 arcminute is certainly good. Now, having said all that, I do find it an enjoyable “game” to play while polar aligning during late nautical twilight or early astronomical twilight to get my polar error as close to 0 as possible. And since I have to wait to image, why not. And for that, yeah, leveling helps a lot. 😉
It has always been my view that levelling the tripod/mount is definitely not required.
This said, I agree with Nick that it's easier to polar align if the mount is level.
But providing the mount has adjustments in both azimuth and altitude, PA can be achieved without a level mount.
Really great videos BTW Nick. Love watching them and very helpful!
I’d agree, all the precise levelling is fine but the you add scope , counterweights and do PA routine, I bet it isn’t still level after that, esp on a non solid surface like grass !
@@chrisoriordan6975 yes I generally either do a touch-up leveling after adding the scope or do the leveling after the entire rig is assembled.
So, when I PA it takes a photo, rotates 60 degrees and then I finish there. I went to the mount settings and pressed Start on GoTo Home Position. And then it rotated back the 60 degrees plus more until it was on the other side of vertical. Any idea how I make it know that home is vertical? I did start my PA from vertical.
I might be able to answer my own question. I restarted the ASIAIR with the mount in home position. Maybe previously I hadn’t. This time it worked after PA.
@@indymustang1969I’m having the same issue .. after PA do you restart the Asiair then click “go home”?
@@NZScenery_co_nz it may have to do with the sequence of turning on the mount and ASIAir. I would have everything in position, turn on the mount (I don’t power it through the ASIAir), then turn on the ASIAir. It’s been some time but when that happened, it must have not known where the zero point was.
@@indymustang1969 thanks for the reply :) I’ll try that tonight :) 🙌👌👍