How I set up for imaging , ready to go in 10 minutes.

This is my 8 Step process for imaging at home for Rig 1 using the Celestron AVX mount and Celestron 8SCT. It normally takes less than 10 minutes to be up and ready to start the N.I.N.A Advanced Sequencer plan.

Step 1 – The mount is already at the correct altitude and azimuth position for a polar alignment and remains unchanged from one imaging session to another. I have marks on my patio for the tripod leg position that correspond to achieving a polar alignment. It is there just a case of bringing the tripod and mount assembly (excluding counter wight) and placing tripod legs at the marks on the patio.

Step 2 – Attach the counterweight . The position will depend upon which telescope I am using. From previous balancing I know the correct position to use.

Step 3 – Attach the telescope to the mount saddle. Again, from previous balancing I know the correct posion to use. Take off the guide and main telescope lens caps.

Step 4 – Either connect to mains 12v transformer or bring out the batteries. If batteries I use a 12v 75 ah leisure battery for the mini pc power and dew heaters and a 12v 22 ah Tracer Li-Po for everything else.

Step 5 – Connect the cables and power supplies. There a 3 power supplies to connect – mount, main camera and PC. Guide camera and EFW are already USB connected to ZWO ASi585 main camera. Focuser and guide STA cables are plugged into mount STA and AUX sockets. Focuser and main camera USB connections are made to PC.

Step 5 – Switch on mini pc at telescope. Switch on mount.

Step 6 – Move indoors to main pc. Connect remotely to mini pc at telescope.

Step 7 – Start Celestron PCW app and connect USB. Do a quick align to confirm AVX home position.

Step 8 – Start NNNA app and connect all equipment. I then set gain and offset I want for the evening and load the Advanced Sequencer file already set up for what I plan to do. Then press go in the Advanced Sequencer.

The Advanced Sequencer plan will include an initial slew to a position to undertake an automatic focus with no filter and undertake a 3 point alignment. Generally this confirms the original placement of the mount is good enough to proceed. The plan for the evening then proceeds.

Whilst this is the process using the AVX mount, a similar process is used for using any of the other 2 mounts although Rig 2 already has the scope and cables set up and Rig 3 is complete with scope , cables and counterweights all set up.