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Astro Soundscape
Australia
Приєднався 13 гру 2020
Welcome I'm Ollie. Australian based, UK originating carbon based lifeform with an interest in the night sky and music.
My channel has a mixture of Astrophotography including gear reviews but also explores mixing my images with my interest in music to bring them more to life.
My channel has a mixture of Astrophotography including gear reviews but also explores mixing my images with my interest in music to bring them more to life.
How is your EXPERIENCE of the Night Sky going ?
You have to sometimes take stock of where you are in any hobby and if you're getting out of it what you were looking for or if you've been hijacked by simply consuming the next thing. This is where I'm at but I'd like to hear your views too.
Thanks also to @tsulasbigadventures for inspiring videos on Visual Astronomy which has helped kick-start my return to the eyepiece.
#astronomy #astrophotography
Thanks also to @tsulasbigadventures for inspiring videos on Visual Astronomy which has helped kick-start my return to the eyepiece.
#astronomy #astrophotography
Переглядів: 1 030
Відео
TERMINATOR Tune - easier to play than you think !
Переглядів 21321 день тому
Movie scores can be a good way to learn instruments as they are sometimes relatively simple melodies which don't have many notes and with modern digital pianos can sounds quite Epic with the use of String or Ensemble instruments. Here's the basic notes from Terminator theme by Brad Fiedel, play around and have fun with these.
SAFELY viewing the Sun using Filters - Baader ASTF and Daystar Quark
Переглядів 39221 день тому
Here I'm spending a couple of hours looking at the Sun thru my telescope using two different filters. It's essential to use good quality Solar Filters, especially thru a telescope when looking at the Sun and here's a couple of options for doing just that. Remember BEFORE you do any solar viewing : 1) Ensure you do your own homework 2) Always double check your setup 3) If in any doubt ask people...
SVBONY SV550 122mm Triplet - PART 2 - How did it Go ?
Переглядів 1 тис.Місяць тому
Lets talk more about this scope I got on loan to review. Please note I can say anything I please here. Let's look at how the setup went on two different cameras and mounts. Music : My Own 00:00 Intro 01:03 Mono Image 08:57 OSC Image 14:16 O3 Filter 15:44 In Summary 23:05 Images
Visual Astronomy Chat - Which Eyepieces & Telescope and More !
Переглядів 902Місяць тому
I had the chance to sit down and have a chat with Marcel from Astro Dog, who was willing to share an abundance of technical tips for visual astronomy. We also explore why visual astronomy can be so rewarding and what we might be losing out on. Thanks again to Marcel, who has kindly offered the discount code "OllieAstro" for $10 off, minimum item value of $50. See links below. LINKS Website : ww...
Schumann - Of Foreign Lands and Peoples - Kinderszenen No.1 (Acoustic)
Переглядів 173Місяць тому
From Kinderszenen meaning ""Scenes from Childhood" Schumann wrote a set of 13 pieces this being the first - Von fremden Ländern und Menschen "Of Foreign Lands and Peoples". I am sure I am not playing this exact as per notation. This is recorded from my acoustic piano, and I decided I like the sound of the water mixed in to as it let's the mind wander. I also recorded this on my digital piano if...
Schumann - Of Foreign Lands and Peoples - Kinderszenen No.1 (Digital)
Переглядів 170Місяць тому
From Kinderszenen meaning ""Scenes from Childhood" Schumann wrote a set of 13 pieces this being the first - Von fremden Ländern und Menschen "Of Foreign Lands and Peoples". This was using a digital piano but the samples were the Garritan CFX samples. Also I am sure I am not playing this exact as per notation but forgive me. I also recorded this on my acoustic Yamaha U3 if you care to compare. I...
SVBONY SV550 122mm Triplet - PART 1 - My FIRST impressions ?
Переглядів 1,5 тис.Місяць тому
I've received this scope on loan from SVBONY to give it a review. Please note I can and will say what I like about any gear I review. Let's also look at how this might best be mounted and suitable mounts. I am intrigued to see how it stacks up against my old Esprit 120 refractor I used to own as this comes in at a much cheaper price, I'll be looking more at this during imaging. I have taken som...
The Crescent Nebula - Deep Space Astrophoto
Переглядів 188Місяць тому
This data was given to me by a friend and deep space photographer James who lives in the Northern hemisphere and kindly agreed to let me process this data of his. I hope you enjoy this and the music I've put to it. DSO Imager Channel : www.youtube.com/@DSOImager Thanks James @DSOImager Clear skies ALL ! :)
First Look - GEMINI Automatic Focuser - Half the cost of ZWO EAF What !!
Переглядів 1,6 тис.Місяць тому
Hi Guys I took a risk on this automated focuser at this price and this is just a first look at fitting it and see what's included in the box. Currently I believe it's only available thru Ali Express. Further Testing : I'll be looking at connecting this to NINA and testing in a upcoming video. Interestingly the drivers are downloaded via a One Drive ( link shown below). They even show the ZWO EA...
ASTRO RAP - Who said ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY isn't COOL !
Переглядів 4392 місяці тому
Hey guys I've been feeling silly today and I came up with this. It's called Light Stopped in Motion!! 🤣😂 Enjoy. It's ridiculous but I know all of you out there that know Astrophotography will hopefully find this somewhat entertaining. Music : Light Stopped in Motion (Oliver Berresford) #astrophotography
Budget Apochromat - SkyWatcher ED80 / Evostar 80ED
Переглядів 9522 місяці тому
Budget Apochromat - SkyWatcher ED80 / Evostar 80ED
Music + Telescope + Moon = Tell me in the comments below !
Переглядів 3652 місяці тому
Music Telescope Moon = Tell me in the comments below !
Huge Mineral Moon - SharpCap's AMAZING Mosaic Planner
Переглядів 6532 місяці тому
Huge Mineral Moon - SharpCap's AMAZING Mosaic Planner
Planetary nebula challenge - How small is TOO small ?
Переглядів 7132 місяці тому
Planetary nebula challenge - How small is TOO small ?
Astrodymium Ring System for Astrophotography
Переглядів 5772 місяці тому
Astrodymium Ring System for Astrophotography
BORTLE 1 - A song for the clearest skies (best with 🎧)
Переглядів 1452 місяці тому
BORTLE 1 - A song for the clearest skies (best with 🎧)
A chance to see the Milky Way with NO Light Pollution (Bortle 1)
Переглядів 4113 місяці тому
A chance to see the Milky Way with NO Light Pollution (Bortle 1)
A Majestic Southern Spiral - With the Celestron SCT.
Переглядів 9553 місяці тому
A Majestic Southern Spiral - With the Celestron SCT.
10 Seconds of magic - AURORA AUSTRALIS (11/05/2024)
Переглядів 2843 місяці тому
10 Seconds of magic - AURORA AUSTRALIS (11/05/2024)
I Forgot how to use my EYES 👀 - Why visual astronomy can still be COOL!
Переглядів 1,3 тис.4 місяці тому
I Forgot how to use my EYES 👀 - Why visual astronomy can still be COOL!
Trying the SVBONY 503 with a Non-Cooled Color Camera
Переглядів 1,1 тис.4 місяці тому
Trying the SVBONY 503 with a Non-Cooled Color Camera
SVBONY SV503 102ED - This one really did surprise me !
Переглядів 4,6 тис.4 місяці тому
SVBONY SV503 102ED - This one really did surprise me !
Sigma DA-SG7 - Dove Acoustic Electric Guitar
Переглядів 4144 місяці тому
Sigma DA-SG7 - Dove Acoustic Electric Guitar
Do you have a link to the focuser you replaced with please? Thank you
I see that the new Gemini autofocuser has a temperature sensor. I tried using the Temperature Compensation feature in NINA, but it causes the program to freeze. Have you experienced this issue, or do you know how to fix it? Thanks!
Hey Ollie! Interesting mate, I’m struggling with my inspiration for videos! The interest for Astro is still there, that will never go, but my videos!! There’s only so many times I can show myself setting up the portable rig, don’t even have to set up the Esprit anymore in the obsey! It’s difficult to keep the interest going in a video! It’s tough, I think, taking your advice, of going back to enjoying the hobby, like when I first got into it!Maybe, as new people are always coming into the Astro world, I should go back to basics with my star tracker! We’ll see! Good luck and clear skies 👍
Hey Simon - It's a tricky balance Simon, I'm mainly just trying to mix it up more. You're correct about vids mate, it can feel very repetitive. Ye I've been taking a few more Astro Landscapes lately, and a tracker would be handy to push the exposure. Clear skies 👍
@@AstroSoundscape I’ve got the SkyGuider Pro and I’ve just bought the new Move Shoot Move Nomad tracker kit! Not used it yet😀
Thank you for this video! I'm not keeping up with the latest gear, it's not within my reach at the current life situation so I'm still using my Evostar 80ED (as you) and my HEQ5 Pro. I decided to put it in an observatory just to the the most out of every clear night, and I don't have that many up here at 63 degrees north and by the sea. I try to plan and give every image my very best in terms of love and caring (and hours) as well as a background text for the people that want to share the images with me. I like to be outside when it's clear, just to enjoy the night sky, but I don't have any gear for visual observation at this time. I've been thinking of just getting a lens to my DSLR and take some mily way images to complement my deep sky object photos. As for my channel, I haven't really decided, what should I do with that. Right now, it's more a documentation of my projects and my images.
Hi, nice video! Thanks for sharing. I'm approaching planetary imaging right now, just wandering what setup you have that allows you to control everything from inside? Thank you
@teb76 G'day there. For myself I actually use a long USB powered extension to my mount outside. This connects to a powered USB hub which sits on the mount and then I connect everything to that. You could also use a remote pc connection to a little mini PC which I sometimes use for Deep Sky astro. Hope this helps. 👍
Really good points Ollie. I'm happiest when the tech and the creativity are balanced. As for content creation, you are right. Some of my best performing videos are gear reviews, but I too find making them disruptive to the hobby. I thought about maybe having one rig set aside specifically for gear reviews.. but I just don't enjoy tinkering and fine tuning a rig. For me the the rig exists to collect data, if I'm futzing with it too much then I'm loosing time and interest. That is not to say I won't get new gear... just that currently my eagerness to get something for review or run out and buy something new is currently diminished.. well except for cameras.. I could really use a new one or two... lol.
@DSOImager Cheers James. I think your channel is also a legit goto for image processing. It's clear you love it from your videos. Clear skies pal.
Great video! Although I have not gone back to visual astronomy, I have definitely changed my course in astrophotography. I dont watch any gear videos anymore. I have two full rigs, they are perfect to me and I am not looking to improve upon them. I just go out and image… enjoy the dark sky, and I tend to watch the process unfold. Instead of leaving the rigs unattended I will often sit and get lost in each sub… nit inspecting for quality, more just looking at all the amazing things that are in the frame. I do my images for myself. If others enjoy them then that is great. I think social media can be a negative thing for astro and generally the forums are even worse.
@SpaceRocksandStardust Hey, some good points here, especially with not looking at the gear videos anymore. I think, like you say, settling into using the gear you have is a good way to go. Ye I got rid of my channels, Instagram, for similar reasons. It just became a circular repetitive exercise. Clear Skies.
You forgot how to use your real eyes? What do you mean? I forgot how to use mine as well
For using a mobile device, iOS accessibility color filters allows the whole device be set to a reddish palette. I even made a shortcut so I can trigger it from the Lock Screen. Unfortunately, android does not seem to have an equivalent.
I try at the moment an ASI662MC on my ASKAR103 with 700mm native, plus a 2x Barlow. Still thinking about the 715 with its smaller pixels, but I fear that my telescope won’t be able to deliver enough resolution - what do you think?!
That’s exactly why I started out with visual only and wanted to keep AP for later when I really mastered my gear (especially the mount) and know what I‘m really looking at or photographing
Visual astronomy is so simple with grab and go scope. Grab a scope with one hand and a star atlas in the other and in minutes you can be enjoying the night sky. I gave up my Dobsonian as it was a bother to drag out that I would end up not going out.
@robertsonsid Exactly right, and in no time your imagination is fired up!! Do you mainly use a goto mount now you've given up the DOB ? Thanks !!
@@AstroSoundscape I like the challenge of finding objects manually. With a star atlas find 2 stars near object of interest and imagine a triangle. Then look to the sky and make the triangle and you have your object.
I think you downplay the Dwarf II advantages (low cost, ease of use, outreach) too much while at the same time downplaying the disadvantages of the more traditional route ($$$, steep learning curve). I have an 200mm telescope but am new to astrophotography. Compared to what I can see through an eyepiece, the images I've taken of M31 blow my telescope out of the water. This is a low cost way to see if you want more.
I have just returned to the hobby after 40 years away. I used to grind my own mirrors, knew the night sky very well, and even in my then suburban skies you could see the Milky Way. While I never found one, I ardently searched for comets. Now coming back to astronomy I have been overwhelmed with the gear and the emphasis on AP. The AP and computerization are really amazing but they have mechanized and removed a big part of what I enjoyed before. After some getting up to speed with the current state of the art I bought an OTA and a mount and eyepieces. What I have found is neither my eyes nor skies allow the exploration I used to do. Age too has made it less comfortable to set up and stand for hours. I'm considering getting kit for EAA so I can explore from my desktop, but something about that doesn't really appeal. The sense of discovery is gone, the sense of citizen science is gone. You're right in that the emphasis is on the gear, and tricks of processing, etc. Ultimately, how many pictures of M45 do we need; what do you accomplish by doing the same thing 1000s of other have done before? If the electronics and software appeal to you, that's really your hobby. There's a lot to say for that; but it isn't astronomy.
@larrychristianson2244 Hey Larry I think you make lots of good points here and I think sometimes what might have been thought of as a limitation of the time (such as basic camera) meant we just got out there under the sky and looked. Indeed my journey with AP has gone this way, finding I don't need to keep taking the same images and crave the intimate eyepiece experience. I think the EAA can be a good way to maybe enhance and mix it up, especially from more light polluted skies. However I also understand what you mean in that to some extent anything that's not just your eye is kinda getting in the way. By the way I have heard Pegasus Astro is coming out with the SmartEye, an eyepiece and camera combined somehow. Thanks for your thoughts Ollie
Insightful thoughts Ollie and you are not the only one feeling this. I grew up in the 1960's-70's before the digital revolution and when light pollution was of little consequence, so the tactile sense of visual astronomy has always been my foremost interest. Today, there is a generation, or two, that do not know these times, and where technology is commonplace, dark skies are fewer and amateur astronomy seems to lean towards techno-centric astrophotography. My greatest gripe for astrophotography is the rapid obsolescence of hardware and firmware, the associated expense and frustration of keeping up with this, as well as the disconnect with the natural environment and subject matter; something which comparatively little affects the visual astronomer. Keep up the good work and efforts on your channel.
Thanks for the thoughts, Mark, and yes, I agree with the rapid obsolescence in the same vain as how phones now appear to be designed to last a couple of years. I think with that connection missing, you mention everything is to be solved by a new acquisition. Clear skies!
Spot on. Here's the thing - the UA-cam algorithm punishes you if you don't post. I've been making videos for people making a go of astrophotography with what they have (or can afford). I started doing this to pay-it-forward from the inspiration I got from similar channels when I got started - channels that had since either stopped posting, or moved on. As much as I enjoy making this type of content, it has become a a bit of chore lately because I've noticed that if I don't post content often enough, new videos will get less exposure, and frankly I don't want to have to constantly think up new topic ideas to feed an algorithm - that is neither natural for me nor fun. Easy to see how anyone can get resentful. I joined a club that has access to a dark-sky site, picked up a used refractor and The Cambridge Star Atlas, and I've been doing a lot more visual observing. I have also gone back to my sky watching journal/log to plan and record my nights. Clear Skies! Edit: I joined your channel three months ago after watching Why Visual Astronomy Can Still be Cool, and I look forward to more of your videos.
@Felldisulfide Hey I think your comments on the UA-cam algorithm ring very true. I found the same and like you it's just not a natural thing for me to do. The journal is great, and that act of thinking and writing is where you contemplate what you're looking at and where you sit in it all. Thanks very much for following I look forward to producing more of this style of content.
Good video Ollie. I think we all struggle with the hobby at times, fraught with problems either weather related or technical. I have managed to not buy any new gear for about 18 months now, and just enjoy using what I have in the relatively short timeframe I am prepared to give the hobby (typical 2 hour exposure time max).
Cheers John yes there's a lot to be said for using what you have and what time you are willing to give.
I'm stupid and need a Seestar to see the sky. I live 10 km from the Sydney Opera House. It's a revelation. Going down the rabbit hole of technology can be the enemy of looking up....ask why not how.
I have been an eyepiece man in this hobby ever since I was 14. I am now 81. I have collected premium eyepieces for all that time including 4 9.652 carl zeiss eyepieces. Yes I have gone down the astrophotography path , I have got good one shot colour shots that I am very happy with. My computer skills are limited and to me it's a lot of time to get a pretty picture. I have receintely bought a baadar 2" prism diagonal, and the veiws through my evostar 150 ED are just stunning.Even in bortle 6+ skies. Clear skies.😊
@LeslieONeill-yz2dp Hi Leslie interesting thoughts. I've often wondered what those Baader Prisms are like to look thru. Thanks.
Capitalism, baby! Even the purest hobby becomes tedious under late stage capitalism.
@@wattswheelhouse Yep !
I will set up two telescopes (not all the time) one to image and one just to look around, I find this keeps me interested as, the one I use to just looking around is like, point at some thing then look up info on said object or the other way around reading info and go look at it. So because of this sometimes I may spend 1min looking at some thing and other times hr's. So depending on the night I may look at several things or, one or two and in the background the imaging rig is doing it's own thing. So I kind of feel I get the best of both worlds.
A thoughful video Ollie. Your recent excellent video on eyepieces and visual astronomy coincided with me thinking about getting into visual too, as an adjunct to my AP. While I don't think I'll be taking a full break from AP any time soon, I must admit that there's a little staleness creeping into the whole thing. Also, I’ve realised that I've fallen into the trap of submitting my images into Astrobin's image of the day process and then repeatedly checking through the day to see how many likes the images were receiving. No more. I want to try to process my images to the best of my ability but for my personal pleasure and approval, no one else's. I plan to purchase a couple of eyepieces soon and get back to basics.
Hey Frank yes there's a few traps to fall in. I've been guilty of myself. Like you say, process for yourself and to your own taste. I think the balance with visual is a great step to take, helps to give perspective in this fast world. Hope the journey goes well.
A thoughful video Ollie. Your recent excellent video on eyepieces and visual astronomy coincided with me thinking about getting into visual too, as an adjunct to my AP. While I don't think I'll be taking a full break from AP any time soon, I must admit that there's a little staleness creeping into the whole thing. Also, I’ve realised that I've fallen into the trap of submitting my images into Astrobin's image of the day process and then repeatedly checking through the day to see how many likes the images were receiving. No more. I want to try to process my images to the best of my ability but for my personal pleasure and approval, no one else's. I plan to purchase a couple of eyepieces soon and get back to basics.
Hey Frank thanks very much for those kind words. It is such an interesting balance isn't it between enjoying and being pulled in directions almost without us knowing, I've definitely been there. You're strategy sounds good mate, just balancing it up a bit. Like you I'll most likely always do some AP just shifting that balance to something more sustainable. Clear skies Pal 👍
@@AstroSoundscape Also, the comment someone made about moving back to OSC from mono also resonated with me. Problems with NINA has seen me move back to the ASIAir for the past couple of nights, and while its simplicity is welcome, it's not as easy using a whole set of mono filters; using a colour camera with a dual band filter, which I used to use, now seems a real possibility. Ahhh, decisions, decisions!
The gear reviews bother me, a lot. I find a channel I like, then suddenly they are an affiliate, here's an unbiased review, and please use their link. It's naive and destructive to pretend one can have an unbiased review and make money off affiliate links. Hey, here's an unbiased review, I hate it, don't buy it, click on my link if you do? I don't mind if they focus on gear they have purchased, we all have gear, but some I think actually believe they will make real money using affiliate links (in my opinion anyway). I do not like the mix no matter how much I like the presenter. I find myself wanting to share my experience to have fun, so here goes. I move from target to target to have fun. I could spend multiple nights on a single target for the best photo, but much like in games I challenge myself to have fun first and ignore the perfection crowd. I stayed up until 1am Friday night to see if I could get my scope and camera to see Saturn. It was better than a line and a dot, not much better, but it was fun. I also like to slew over to areas in the sky where I might see something neat, take 15 or 20 minutes of photos, then move on. I'm inside most of the time, but the mosquitos here are horrible right now so I'm fine to polar align and duck inside. As an aside, I will never do mono because it's too much like a job, I want my hobbies to be fun, and OSC can still make for great photos. I see a trend of those going mono burning out faster, but that's just a casual observation without hard data to back it up.
@@Tolakram I think you make lots of good points here especially regarding the conflict. I actually used generic shop affiliates for a while but got rid of them for the reasons you've expressed. It all ends up just being a contradiction and just feels like sales. We get the mozzie too in summer and you're right a real pain I try use those little burning coils to help a bit. Oh and as for OSC I can see myself going back here as it's so much simpler. Thanks for the input. Ollie
Great video! I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said. I try to strike a balance by doing 50-50 with visual. Sometimes that might just involve sitting under the stars and looking up, without even using a telescope. That said, I’m also guilty of getting carried away with gear fever on occasions. But I try to take it back to basics when I can 👍
Cheers Mark. Yes I've certainly been on the gear train too. Its not easy to get the balance sometimes.
For the last year, I have gone out and done EAA, live stacking with Sharp Cap Pro. I have most often take 10 to 20 minutes exposures on my alt/az goto mount. Fun. I have most often used my Celestron Short Tube 80 and my SvBony 305 80mm ED refractor. Fun. I recently started using an equatorial mount, have purchased several more optical tubes and have extended total exposure times up to 1 to 3 hours. Still fun. I plan on reviewing most things I have purchased, but have a face for radio, I voice for print and am only semi-literate. So, I am loath to be seen on camera. I have recently started posting photos and reviews on my channel in hopes of being as good as this fellow, some day.
Hey thanks for watching. Indeed I think EAA is a good half way step and I may also do some more of this. I think like you say keeping it to smaller time frames is a good idea. I tend to be doing this lately. Cheers and clear skies. Ollie
Ive been into astronomy now for 35 years off and on. Atm im taking a break and ive started collecting Lego star wars 😂. Its good to take s break every so often otherwise ive found it looses it's spark. I am due to move to a bortle 3 sky fron my current 7 so as soon as thats happened i dare say the scope camera and mount will come out of mothballs. Ive already seen whats it like and im keen to see how much better it really is. Great video thanks for posting 👍
Hey Alan - I really need to get to a good dark sky site soon. Really looking forward to seeing the sky under a Bortle 3 near me. Good luck on the move those skies sound great.
@@AstroSoundscape sadly my eyesight isn't that good these days so visual isn't really an option anymore hence the eaa and astrophotography....
Very interesting Ollie i must admit my mojo right now is at an all time low I haven't imaged since May, as for content I really haven't done much this year either as I know I'm not very good or confident in front of the camera & I think people are pretty bored with my content which is fair enough, it doesn't help with my operation in the not to distant future looming which will put me out of action from work let alone astro for a while. Mind you I also feel under pressure to buy the latest gear to compete with other channels which I just cannot afford to hence to using a really old mount in the observatory as there's no way I could afford an EQ8 or one of these new strainwave mounts. As for visual astronomy I haven't done any in years & I know I really should do, apart from having the odd look at the Sun with a solarscope that's pretty much all the visual I've done. I think it would be good of people went back to the basics a bit as well as using the latest gear as Nico Carvers video shooting the ifn around polaris untracked with a DSLR was exceptionally good & he used free software to edit to.
Hey Pal ye it's tricky Pal I've totally gone past bothering to compete with other channels it's not a good headspace to be in. Nothing wrong with your content mate I like it precisely because it's not all based in gear and your showing how your making things work. I'm hoping your operation goes well Pal don't stress too much on the UA-cam Pal....it's all up there in the ether at the end of the day :)
100% agree. Technology is both a saviour and a burden, with most of its promises often being at the expense of introducing more issues that then you perceive must be fixed with more purchases. I took a step back too, and find myself enjoying visual as well as EAA or imaging at the same time. Probably my age betraying me now, but honestly, it feels like a grind after already spending a day bashing my head at work at the floor of the software sausage factory trying to get it all to work, and then come home and troubleshoot Astro software. Even NINA sometimes screws stuff up.
I understand Darren I also work in IT where I spend my days sat at a PC which is why I try and get away from more IT related issues at home! I think EAA can be a nice in-between place to mix it up.
I totally agree with you, I am guilty myself on my Chanel of doing a lot of reviews, but most are reviews of kit I have bought for myself, but I have had a few offers of free kit to review, (hard to refuse) and it does get in the way of my own enjoyment…so I will be taking a step back from the reviews over the winter and concentrating on my own imaging and enjoyment…clear skies, and thanks for the video..👍🏻
Hey Astro Shed thanks for watching. I think we're all guilty of this pal me included. I think so long as your able to notice it that's the main thing, like you say take a step back.
I think it’s completely understandable to feel the way you do presently. I know there have been some nights sitting in my truck, staring at my laptop screen, or inside my house, where I think how silly this whole thing seems. For me, I love the whole technical challenge of it and when you finally figure out something that been driving you crazy! I also love to sit in my chair the next day and edit my stacked image. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
Thanks pal I think you put your finger on the exact conundrum we have sometimes.
Hi Ollie: Interesting video. I was lucky enough to grow up in a rural area where we could just walk outside at look at the Milky Way from our yard and that awesome feeling of looking up at a truly dark sky has stayed with me all these years. A few years ago, I got sucked into astrophotography which I still pursue a little bit but I was really turned off by the huge amount of time needed in front of the computer processing all that data. It just never had the appeal for me that looking at the night sky had. Like someone else said, I too mostly enjoy sitting outside with my telescope, a chair, a sketch pad, star atlas, and notepad. There is just something profound about looking up at our amazing universe.
Hi Tsula - It's so true, it's almost a secret I wish I could share with people. When you just sit back and take it all in with nothing between you and the night sky it is quite an experience. I have taken 25 hour images that have less impact emotionally than half an hour looking at a star cluster. I guess some of it is what we're using the hobby for, and for me it has to be more than pretty pictures. I'm pretty sure for you too. Thanks Tsula and I hope the insurance stuff is going well. -Ollie
Yes! I have had a similar experience this summer. I've been doing almost exclusively astrophotography for the last 6ish years...and I moved this spring and for awhile I didn't have all my gear unpacked and set up again. I was just pulling out my 115mm refractor and going for quick visual sessions of maybe an hour....and of all things I fell in love with double star observing!! I couldn't believe it, but the stars are just so much prettier through an eyepiece than in even the best astrophotos. I love imaging and I've been doing some again, but I will continue to make time for visual observation.
Hey thanks Damien. It is quite fantastic how these double stars look in a nice refractor. I have been obsessed with some of the open clusters. The Jewel Box down here is mesmerising. Thanks for you thoughts.
I acquired everything I needed to do Astrophotography, and turned around and sold it all. I didn't get into Astronomy to stare at screens.
It's absolutely a fair point mate. I certainly understand the decision👍
Join Astronomical League and complete at least one program as an astrophotographer. Your priorities will be switched right away. Acquisition time will not matter, but you have to study/investigate produced photos. Second, one proper rig in proper location is more productive than 3-5 sheeit rigs (sorry, like yours or constantly reviewed by many UA-cam channels) in light polluted location. When one proper rig automatized, then you will have time for visual astronomy. Again, need to complete programs for AL. Good luck!
Thanks for the suggestion not really what I'm looking for but thanks anyway. Cheers.
@@AstroSoundscape Great! Then, you know what you are looking for.
First, I think visual astronomy and astrophotography are two very different hobbies. They're just different, in motivation and experience, and really can't be compared. Second, I agree with the overemphasis on gear on UA-cam astrophotography channels. I don't think having the latest and best gear all is that important. For most people, the limiting factor in image quality is going to be the sky conditions, not the quality of the gear. I'm finding that I'm getting better pictures by honing my acquisition skills with the gear I already own and improving my image processing techniques. That said, I have been a something of a gear-buying spree of late, but that's to build out three separate rigs so I can slap the right optical/camera rig for the target on the mount and go. I don't want to be messing with equipment and software and trying to make disparate pieces of equipment and software play nicely with one another. I want to quickly set up and start taking pictures with the limited time under cloudless skies that I get around here.
Thanks Dave some good points. I do think however there is value in contrasting what each give. I find pure astrophotography can become quite devoid of a connection to the night sky.
I'm starting to get sick of companies promoting the latest/greatest and charging a small fortune supposedly trying to be innovating where in reality it's planned obsolescence. this is a niche community and these companies are taking advantage of it. I do want to upgrade some of my equipment but I no longer trust these companies to be reliable. So far I am happy with what I'm doing but I believe the weather conditions also affect our psyche. Eventually as I have more spare time I plan on Astronomy trips to dark areas so I can be one with me and the cosmos and image from there.
Ye I agree Nik, some of the marketing, tells you how it's a game changer with all the big channels pusing it and 12nmonths later you have to have the new version which again is a game changer. I mean it's more Game Changers than a bloody chess tournament!!
Good timing. I just spent an hour outside looking at Saturn with my 30 year old 8" Meade SCT, listening to the sound of the basic 12v clock drive. Tack sharp views. Nice to put the camera away for a while and use an eyepiece.
Ooh that must have been some view of Saturn I'm looking forward to getting my C925 on it soon. Clear skies.
Spot on mate too much information overload just get out and enjoy the night sky
Thanks pal 👍
"Perfection of a kind" is what some seem to be after, especially the kind of perfection that depends absolutely on arcane detail. As a writer once said about wine: one of the least congenial aspects of it is the tyranny of the illuminati of the bottle, aka the wine geek. Badly needed video.
This is a good way of putting it.
My main issue is the lousy weather that's continued from last year with 8 months now gone of this one. I have set my equipment up countless times only to pack it all up with little or no imaging. Even when it is clear its no longer whole nights.
This is certainly a huge issue at the moment very sparse clear nights.
Oh BTW, I just noticed the ukiyoe print in the background of your video. Does that mean you have some affinity to Japan culture or art? Just curious..... JPASTROGUY (Paul)
Hey Paul, I do enjoy Japanese culture some of the old Kurosawa films with Mifune and in my younger days I use to train Iaido and went to Japan(Kyoto) a couple of times. So many beautiful arts forms in there culture. Thanks Ollie
Hi Ollie I think people have lost the connection with the night sky, light pollution makes it very difficult to see anything if you live in a city and the trend for the smart telescope is not helping, you take your new telescope out stick it on the floor in the garden trun it on and go inside never even looking up at the night sky, this is so different from how i started with astronomy over fifty years ago i remember on a cold winter night going out with a star atlas and spending time finding the constellation and looking at the moon and Jupiter moons the Orion nebula,and scanning the mikyway with binoculars, that connection is never forgotten, remember a hobby is about finding something that makes you relax and that you enjoy and can never be replaced with just buying the next must have thing , clear skies my friend
I wholeheartedly agree Tony, I think also a lot of people complain they don't have the time but it's interesting to see how much time people will spend researching the next thing to buy! Thanks for watching pal.
Hearing your comments about equipment reviews and other astrophotography channels is something I have noticed as well. That is why I started my own channel @ Astrophotography Japan, that (most of the time) tries to focus on the adventure and pursuit of the hobby, which is the part that brings the satisfaction and joy to me. Besides, I cannot compete with the technical gurus, but I can share exciting and exotic experiences in and around Japan, in pursuit of ancient photons! I hope you check it out. Cheers and best wishes! JPASTROGUY
I agree. I got into astrophotography simply to see more detail in deep sky objects. But it gradually became more technical and time consuming. I am now keeping it simple either with visual or basic processing. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Roger. Yes it's so easy to get carried away with the technical side, I think I'm arriving at a similar valance to use. Clear skies
I agree, I have changed my focus back to collecting photons from millions of light years away with my eyes. I have simplified back to a mount, scope and eyepiece, a sky atlas, a chair and my journal/sketch book. I am now experiencing the distant objects again.
@@curronhill2744 Hey Pal it's amazing how simplifying back to just what you need can make the hobby so much more enjoyable. I agree the journal and sketchbook is a great way of capturing your thoughts.
I have noticed this too in recent months. The main channels I would watch are all focused on the next mount, the next telescope they have. The target and the processing of the data is a brief brush over. It also seems a bulk of the channels I used to watch have fallen off the regular radar too. The weather in oz has been rubbish lately too and the brief one night here and there puts pressure on to find a target and get the most out of it. This can add to the slump feeling. A couple of friends (both here in Adelaide and in the UK) have come up with the idea to work on the entire Messier Catalogue. This way, it takes out the indecision of what to shoot for and can give a sense of completion/achievement, but also removes the whole "gear" conversation. If you're interested, we'd love to have you help us! You have the same gear as we do it seems. 🤣
Thanks very much for the suggestions Damien I'll have a think on them. You're not wrong the weather has been pretty average to say the least. At least with visual I can get an hour here and there. Clear skies.
@@AstroSoundscape Have a think, we are a small group of 5 of us. If you are interested, drop me a PM via my instragram. ;)