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Hi Jonathan, Well, as I say, the sky is filled with majestic wonders. The concept of the vastness of the universe is mind boggling, to say the least. Then there's that issue of "Time and Space" being inter-connected. YOW! Thanks for watching my video(s).

@@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy Welcome. It’s still a mystery on how space itself is infinite, it goes on forever, space can’t end, for space is nothing. In order for our universe to expand, is to have space to expand to.

Ha, more like nerves of rubber. Since that video, I clean it again, but this time, I took it off the mount and placed it on a bench in my work room. That would be a lot less anxiety. Thanks for watching my video.

Thanks, Simon. Yup, it's out there far, far away. At magnitude 14.3, it certainly isn't the brightest bulb in the sky, ha. My sky might be clear tonight and I want to try this experiment with the big Celestron 11" EdgeHD. My goal is to see if I can detect the moon Charon. Oh, it is soooo humid right now. I just had another one of those intense thunderstorm with more, to much more heavy rain on the way Sunday-Tuesday. I've been posting "Weather" videos on my Pat's Weather & Nature channel ... www.youtube.com/@patsweathernature Clear Skies, Simon

I agree

Thank you for watching my video(s). Yep, it certainly has been cloudy and wet over our region. Unfortunately, more on the way. Here's wishing for clear skies, but don't hold your breath, as they say.

Excellent. You'll love it once you get it all set up and calibrated. Don't foreget to check for firmware updates and use the lates version of CPWI. Clear Skies

Hi Perry, Hmmmm ... it seems like summer observations are getting more and more difficult. I still have at least another week of cloudy or unusable nights on the way. After that I will be dealing with about 10 weeks of potential hurricane development. As Rosanne Rosanna Danna would say: "It's Always Something". Thanks for your support and watching my videos

Happy to oblige. Thank you for watching my video. Clear skies

Hello, new astronomy buff, I remembered when I first started into astrophotography in 2015. I had the little sister of your rig, the 6 se. Back then, RUclips was in its infancy, but since then has become a wealth of information with videos helping newbies wanting to learn just about anything, including astrophotography. I would begin by searching RUclips on how to photograph the planets. I have a playlist just for the planets ... ruclips.net/p/PLPljJB3f1iVvHsJ6wz9mQKJxTQQq2Vjao This might help get you going. As you continue your journey into astrophotography, feel free to contact me with any of your questions. My email is patofsavannah@gmail.com

@@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy Thank you so much!

Thank you, Jac

You're welcome, Ron

Thanks, Logan. I am betting Pluto would be higher in your sky than here, which is only about 32 degrees. Whenever my sky clears out, I would like to use the 11" EdgeHD and confirm if I could detect Charon orbiting Pluto. Clear skies

Thank you for watching my video. I would guess most of the planets are quite low in your sky. On the other hand, I bet you have been getting some great views of the Northern Lights during this active sunspot cycle. Clear Skies

@@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy Sadly I missed all the northern lights...

Thank you, David for the "Super Thanks"

Hi David, I leave the scopes out 24/7/365. They've been out there for years now. The only time I bring them in is during hurricane threats. I have no major issues other than some rust on the adjustment knobs. I do bring in the cameras after each session but usually leave the mini-computers outside under the covers. Of course, I do power down the system when not in use.

Thank you for watching my video. For the Orion EON 130mm Refractor triplet on the Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro mount, I use EQMOD to connect to the mount and NINA to control it. For the Celestron EdgeHD 11" on the CGX mount, I use CPWI to connect to the mount and NINA to control it. Post processing, I use Deep Sky Stacker to stack my images and Pixinsight to process the stacked image(s). Sometimes I will stack in Pixinsight, but only if I am want super fine details, as it take much longer to stack in PI. I also use Photoshop for final touch-up. For editing the RUclips video, I use Camtasia 2024. Clear Skies

I'm only thinking out loud, but have you tried to update the firmware lately? I never had this issue with SSAG, but did with the mount. What mount are you using? Have you tried using another guide scope / camera combination to check if the issue continues or if it giudes? Again, just guessing here.

Thank you. Clear Skies

Thank you, Don. I fixed it just in time for several weeks of clouds and rain. Oh well. Thanks for watching my video and your comment.

Hi Frank, I use Celestron PWI (CPWI) Telescope Control Software. (This only works with Celestron type mounts.) With this, I can control the mount, the focuser, the power hub and the StarSense Autoguider (SSAG). All of this is connected into a mini Windows computer attached to the rig. I simply use "Remote Desktop" to converse with the rig to my Desktop computer. You can also use Google Remote Connection. I hope this answers your question. BTW, I've been getting good 5-minute subframes using SSAG on the rig.

@@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy That is the software that is enclosed within the operating system of MS ?

@@FrankMraz-ic4zr If you have the Windows "Pro" version. If not, you can remote into that computer using Google Remote Desktop Connection.

The software in question is Celestron PWI (CPWI) Telescope Control Software. This only works with Celestron type mounts. The capture software is SharpCap Pro. If you have a different type mount, then EQMOD or GreenSwamp Server can be used. Clear SKies

The sidereal tracking is quite good and for short movie exposure of less than 5 minutes, it's good enough. However, if I take a sequence of exposures, I do rely on PHD2.

@@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy Got it! I'm attempting to setup auto-guiding on my 8SE (with wedge) and am really struggling. I'm trying to figure out which programs should be controlling white (NINA, CPWI, PHD2). Would it be possible to message you with a few questions?

Thank you very much.

@@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy Welcome. I’m getting the Celestron 8” hd soon. How is it for observing the moon, planet’s, etc?

Thank you for your reply. NINA's 3-Point Polar Alignment works very well like this example.

I will continue to use the scope with the different f/ratios ... f/10, f/7, and f/2. It's quite easy to change it to the desired focal length. The most difficult part is in balancing the scope. At 11", there is plenty of weight to push or pull along the dove plates. I would say it takes 10 to 15 minutes to switch from one to the other. Clear Skies

I've been looking at short extension cables to use as just that. Hopefully, I won't need it.

Hi Victor, I've been using the Poseidon for my monochrome imaging and still love it. It's images are so clean that I can get away from taking calibration frames. Zero amp glow is a blessing. Clear Skies

Hi Victor, I found that turning off the SSAG options to plate solve and meridian flip works better for me. I would rather let NINA do it. Plus, in the advanced sequencer, there is an option to monitor if the target has drifted off the center. If it has, then NINA will recenter it. However, you can still use SSAG to plate solve and flip, and it does a good job at it, but I think NINA does it better Clear Skies

Well, you will still need to connect your camera, guidescope, and other accessories, such as a focuser to the mini-computer at the rig. If the mini-computer has enough ports, then you won't need a hub. Also, if your mount has WiFi, you can connect to it that way, otherwise you will need another USB port to connect it. Does that make sense?

@@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy Yes it does, thanks for your help, I have LeME Quieter4C winging its way to me now. I will see how well it connects using wifi and take it from there. cheers

Hi Robert, Wow! You blew out two motherboards? I didn't know a faulty cable by itself could do that. When it comes to USB cables, I have acquired numerous ones in different length, USB 2 & 3, USB A, and USB C. I would hate to shut down a rig for a lack of a cable. Clear skies

@@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy Unfortunately it was a made up cable, it had the standard USB male A one end and a RJ-45 the other, purchased from a reputable astro dealer. I was unaware that the cable was the fault when the first board went, but when the second one went then I disposed of the cable, and the spare. Originally the mount was the EQ6-R but while it was at SkyWatcher for repairs they were kind enough to up grade it to the pro version with the USB port. Cheers Robert

@@newbee1016 ... I just acquired the Pegasus Astro EQDir USB Stick Adapter for EQMOD (on a 1-meter cable). It does have a special chip embedded within the USB plug for communication. I wanted to see if that would work as well, in the event I damaged the USB port again (you gotta know me). Well, it works but the baud rate needs to be changed from 115200 (from the USB connection) to 9600 bits per second ... both in the port setting on the computer and in EQMOD for it to work. Well, I guess you learn something new every day. Clear Skies, Robert

Good to know, Clive. Thank you. Now, about those clouds...

Hi Kurt, Yep, that is what usually happens to me ... I ruin the cable, but, as you can see, this time I wasn't so fortunate. Thanks for watching, Kurt.

Ha, you are certainly are not the only one. I've had my fair share of issues, but this one was my own fault. At least I was able to fix it ... for a cost. Oh, and the clouds are still floating through. Clear Skies

Hi Ron, Thank you. Now that it is working, my sky has filled with clouds. Oh well. Clear Skies for you, I hope

Hi Rob, Oh yes, the USB connecting is much better than those old serial ports. I also ordered a special "Pegasus Astro EQDir USB Stick Adapter for EQMOD with RJ45 / DB9 Connectors" that plugs into the Hand Controller port. I will try that out and hopefully, will be a backup in the event I "screw up" again ... Ha! Clear Skies, Rob

Thank you, Yep, those clouds are certainly dippy right now, which several more nights of them on the way ... ugh! Thanks for watching my video.

Hi Simon, Heads up ... I had a devil of a time pulling the RA and DEC pins out of their sockets. Once out, they went into the new Motherboard easily. When you do get around to it, just do what I did ... take a picture of the MB before you pull out the connectors. That way, you'll have a reference source to fall back on. Clear Skies

Hi Doug, Well, I hope you never need to look at this video again, but I am glad I now have it available in the event you need it. Clear Skies

Thank you

Hi Jeff, Oh, I wouldn't want to de-solder the USB port, remove, then insert a new one and solder it in. But, in your case, it might not be pretty, but it works, and that's the bottom line. I have had snags in the past, but the USB cable usually was the only casualty, not the actual port. Clear Skies.

Thanks Jason. Okay, just how hot is it there now???

@@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy 114 today but gonna be cooler tomorrow only 109 😁. lows in high 80s.

Ouch! Too hot for me. We've been in the low to mid-90s but with the influx of humidity, it feels more like around 105. Next week, our heat index will be flirting with 110. With all that humidity in the air, it makes for bad seeing, even if the sky is clear. I try to work the lawn/garden each day before it gets too hot. usually quitting before 2 pm.

Hi Mike I bought the AR protect window

Thank you, Ken. The HyperStar is like getting a new telescope ... well for the cost of it, it is just about the same price! But it works well. Clear Skies

Hi Mike, The mini-computer is just a generic modest price Windows 10 Pro computer, but today, those are equipped with Windows 11 Pro. To communicate with an indoor desktop computer, they should be the "Pro" version of Window and on the same network, however, you might get away with using Chrome's Desktop Sharing. I usually use Window's Remote Desktop. All the telescope software needs to be loaded on the mini-computer including ASTAP and it's database for use in plate solving. I also have ASCOM platform, NINA, CPWI, (for Celestron mounts), EQmod (for other mounts), PHD2, Pegus Unity platform for the power box and focuser, and SharpCap (for planetary capture). I have NINA using "Robocopy" plugin to transfer the incoming subframes to my network drive. I hope this helps

Deeply appreciate your prompt response . Thanks!!!!!

Thanks for watching my video, Ron

Hi Ana, Well, it is quite obvious you are not a fan of Celestron's products, but thanks for your comments. I will keep that Tak Epsilon in mind if I ever plan for a new scope. Clear Skies.

Timing is everything, Doug ... Ha. You're going to love it. If you have the option to get the hood, or if you already have one, it makes it much easier in making flat-frames. Enjoy your new addition. Let us all know when you buy it so we'll know where all the clouds will be within a hundred miles of your location. Again, Ha. Clear skies.