Celestron C8SE Exploration

Time/Date

20231511T2100-2359

People

Observatory: Onkar, Tara supervising

Spaces Occupied

401, 433C, dome

Goals

Figure out how to use the new orange c8
Use color cmos for once

Log

initial setting up
1. see the diagram in Notes for what adapters and wires were used
2. decided to use the color cmos as its been a while and why not
3. looked up guides (see Notes) on how to use the handpaddle and mount
mount/handpaddle issues and fix
1. turned on mount + hand paddle
2. "No Response 17" and "No Response 16"
3. not good
4. connected handpaddle to laptop and used "Celestron Firmware Manager" to update handpaddle firmware
5. tried again, same error messages as before
6. here I got the bright idea to change the batteries in the mount for new ones, it uses 8 AA batteries
7. WORKED no more error message after power cycle
setting up: tripod and mount
1. tried opening the dome and setting up the tripod in the dome to observe but just the way things lined up physically made this option a no go
2. decided to set up on roof
  1. DONT YELL AT ME YET HOLD ON
3. the reason i did this was so that i would still have internet on my laptop for troubleshooting and so that if i needed to run inside and grab a cable/tool, id be able to (and did need to a bunch)
4. mounted cmos onto c8, c8 onto the mount, mount onto tripod, tripod on roof
5. followed the steps for "auto two star alignment" and entered the information as prompted
  1. star 1: Dubhe
  2. star 2: Arcturus
  3. had to unmount the camera and mount an eye-piece for this process as eyeballing the c8 on target was a lot harder than eyeballing the big scope (i know, doesn't make sense)
  4. finished setting up, slewed to random stars to verify pointing, learned that my head hitting the eyepiece was throwing off alignment ever so slightly
    1. solution: stop this and mount camera
setting up: ASI482MC
1. installed sharpcap and license onto personal laptop
2. got camera in focus by observing Dubhe and using manual focus to lessen "donut"ness
3. played with output formats and color space
  1. tldr: rgb24 color space and .avi output format is the way to go (i think) for color cmos
  2. followed this tutorial:
4. learned that there is much to learn and that its way different than the monochrome cmos
closing up
1. everything went back to where they needed to go EXCEPT tripod, i left it in the dome so its easier to bring out for future observing
2. celestron scope and mount back in rolly case thing
3. cameras back on shelf
4. eye pieces and adapters back in optix box
5. verified dome closed and switches were turned off

ToDo

try again, for you can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore

Notes

NEXSTAR+ HAND CONTROL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/celestron-site-support-files/support_files/nexstar_plus_hc_Addendum_5lang.pdf
Celestron Instruction Manual NexStar 8i Special Edition: https://s3.amazonaws.com/celestron-site-support-files/support_files/NX8iSE_11022-XLT-SE.pdf
Celestron Firmware Manual: https://www.celestron.com/pages/drivers-and-software
Hand Paddle Troubleshooting Guide: https://celestron-site-support-files.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/support_files/Celestron%20NexStar%2B%20Hand%20Control%20Troubleshooting%20Guide.pdf

Weather

NOAA:
Cloud Cover: 5%-4%

Wunderground:
Cloud Cover: 8%-3%

Atmospheric:
Cloud Cover: 0%-3%
Transparency: Above Average
Seeing: Average

Clear Dark Sky:
Cloud Cover: Clear
Transparency: Above Average
Seeing: Average

Data

N/A