This is a live stream (and recording of a live stream) sharing an objective review of Deep-Sky Planner 8, an application designed to help amateur astronomers plan their observation sessions and record observations as they observe.
At Emerald Hills Skies, we use a technique called "Electronically-assisted Astronomy (EAA)." In this Emerald Hills Skies "Skylet," we review DSP8 as part of the craft that helps us do EAA each session. We regularly rely on a RASA 11-inch with a ZWO ASI2600MC Pro astro-camera and an Octopi-Astro camera interface perating on an iOptron CEM70G mount from a Pier-Tech Tele-Station 2 observatory on a Pier-Tech Adjustable-Height pier for precision "Go-To" targeting.
In this video, we make reference to the book by Stephen James O'Meara entitled, "The Secret Deep," published by Cambridge University Press (Cambridge, UK, as well as New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, and Sao Paulo).
The background music on this live stream was produced by Stellardrone and we're so grateful for the fact that he graciously makes it available without charge. Learn more at:
https://stellardrone.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/stellardrone
https://soundcloud.com/stellardrone
Some might be interested in the equipment and software that we use. For whatever it's worth, we're relying on the following:
Optical Tube Assembly: 11-inch Celestron Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph telescope
Mount: iOptron CEM70G
Primary Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro
Observatory: Pier-Tech Tele-station 2
Pier: Pier-Tech Adjustable-Height Pier
Dew Shield: Celestron 11 RASA Aluminum Dew Shield
All-Sky Camera - ZWO ASI178MM
The USB hub on the equipment plate (riding up on the scope) is a Pegasus Astro USB Control Hub.
That equipment plate also carries a Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox Micro to power the USB Hub and cameras, as well as control the dew heater bands to prevent dew build-up on the two cameras.
Filter: Celestron Light-Pollution Imaging Filter
Focus Motor: Celestron Focus Motor
Focusing Software: NINA with Hocus Focus plug-in by George Hilios (jokogeo)
Streaming software: OSB with Stream Deck
Planetarium software: Starry Night Pro Plus by Simulation Curriculum
Imaging (EAA) software: Sharpcap 4.0.92460 by Robin Glover
Portable operating solution: icron USB Raven 3124 USB 3-2-1 Extender operating indoors, approximately 200 feet from the observatory, with data being transported via fiber-optic cable
12V Power distributed by a power distribution by RIGrunner 4005i by West Mountain Radio
12V Power supply homemade using a MEAN WELL LRS-350-12 348W 12V 29 Amp Single Output Switchable Power Supply
110V Power distributed by a Tripp Lite 14 Outlet Network-Grade Rackmount PDU, 15A Surge Protected Power Strip, 15ft Cord with 5-15P
Rack at base of scope: Gator Cases Pro Series Rotationally Molded 4U Rack Case with Shallow 13" Depth; (G-PRO-4U-13)
Thanks for joining us!
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