Deep Space Astro Workshops - What I Learned!

Earlier this month I taught two Deep Space Workshops in Kanab Utah. They both went really well, and all of the students captured some amazing images! It was great to see them going from 0 to 100 in just a few short days. In fact, most of the students had never even used the gear prior to the workshop.

As always, I also learned a lot teaching these workshops. One of the most important discoveries was just how power inefficient the AC adapters are for astrophotography. Based on some unofficial tests, the AC adapters drain between 30% and 50% more energy than the 12V DC cables. This could be problematic if shooting on a long winter's night!

Another important lesson involved the USB 3.0 cables. I have tons of them after purchasing so many ZWO cameras over the years. Apart from a few random exposure failures back in 2019, I've never had much of a problem with the cameras or the ASIAir. However, during this workshop we started to encounter lots of "Exposure Failures" in the ASIAir app. It turns out the main culprit was the USB 3.0 cable that was being used to connect the camera to the ASIAir. If a proper cable is not used, there's a good chance you'll encounter all sorts of problems.

Finally, the most important lesson I learned was just how important it is to gather lots of data. This was the first time I forced myself to capture 10+ hours of data for most targets. When you combine that much data with the dark skies of southern Utah, you should be able to create some spectacular deeps space photos.

Music by @dreamstatelogic

[AntharikshamTV]

6:36 Best suggestion. It's really confusing for beginners. Thank you for mentioning

[jamesloo]

Great summary of the workshops. Lots of useful tips!

[monicastarks]

Peter that was an outstanding recap of the workshops. I can truly say everyone was up and shooting the first night. It was also great being able to capture 2 targets a night. It was great getting all of the data.

Thank you Peter. The workshops and the photos we captured are amazing.

[schandler]

Great as usual! Love the new backdrop for your videos!

[temeculaexperience]

First time ever seeing you and you're a master story teller! Subscribing now!

[calimark]

Awesome stuff! Sign me up for the next one. I love my AM5.

[mikehardy]

I have the 500wh Jackery, and 200 (I think the one you show). I mainly use the Smaller one because it fits on my spreader tray, improving low center of gravity, always use 12 V out. A few times I ran it low. I pluged the 209 W jackery charger into the 500 W Jackery's ac plug, just to keep going without interrupting the Imaging session. I don't know why anyone would take 12V DC, convert it to 120V AC, then use a PS to change mains AC back to 12V DC, what..

[davidletz]

I use the ZWO AM3 and tried the AC adaptor plugged in the AC outlet of my portable power battery, and yes, it was a real drain. The AM3 has no DC out ports, so it cannot be used to power any other devices. At home, no problem, I use AC adaptor and the battery separately to power everything with no issue. But out in the field, this will be a real issue. Maybe a Pegasus power box might be the answer (but an expensive answer).

I like the view to your backyard, Peter. 😄

[dylan-reece]

Nice to see you again. I love it here in southern Utah have lived by Zion canyon all my life. We have some amazing Bortle 1 sky's all around here still. Most of them all protected from development.

[meibergstrmandersen]

Cool Peter. I am re-entering the world of astrophotography (after 30 years of break... imagine a shock 🙂 ), so your points are very valuable. I got my refractors, guidescope and -cam in place, now it is time to nail down the mount, tripod, camera, and controller pc. Smells like the ZWO path for me, hence your points are welcome.

[billvinson]

The beginner mode would be a good move for ASI. I live in Tacoma Washington and go to Mt. Rainier in the summer and also Goldendale to get my photos. I use a narrow band Optolong L Extreme light pollution filter for back yard photos of Nebulas. It works great.

[woody]

This was great, I’m currently having issues with my ASIAIR guiding. No graph lines, sporadic spikes, very frustrating. I’m going to try better cables, thanks Peter.

[SevenWanderstheWorld]

quite possible the problems you were having powering the ASIair w A/C power is the Jackery. computers like raspberry pie, etc require pure sign wave inverters. although the Jackery gives you AC power, I don't believe it provides pure signwave AC. anyway, something to consider

[dretwav]

When you use AC adapter connected to Jackery you are going DC=>AC=>DC which clearly inefficient compared to just using the DC out so it is no surprise you drain the battery.

[nhaven]

Hi Peter, Have you tried using the asiair mosaic feature for milky way photography?

[liviulazar]

Very helpful tutorial, thank you! Just an idea: can you present maybe, the guiding numbers in ASIAIR, for AM5, using different focal lengths? I ask you this, knowing the PHD2 still does not have a special variant for harmonic drive mounts. Thank you in advance!

[JeffFishman]

Peter, can you please send me a link to the 12V DC cable I can plug into my AM5 mount. Thanks - Jeff

[saffaselle]

You need to get a ZWO autofocusser added to complete the setups with the redcats. I make a kit for the ZWO EAF and Redcat and would be happy to send you one.

[richardkemp]

The current cost in the UK for an AM5 with a carbon fibre tripod is £2.5k. My GF went bonkers when I bought a s/h Skyguider Pro. I dare not tell her about all the other kit I got to go with it. No chance!

[anata]

AM5 is definitely best for bucks per functionality. What do you think about AM3?