Weasner's Meade LPI Astrophotography Page

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WITH MEADE LUNAR PLANETARY IMAGER

Last updated: 13 November 2006

Subject:	Picture for Webpage
Sent:	Saturday, November 11, 2006 20:56:42
From:	jcaggiano@mindspring.com (jcaggiano@mindspring.com)
Here is a picture of Sunspot # 923 taken on November 11, 2006 with the
Meade LPI and a solar filter through my 6" scope @ f/5. It took alittle
bit of tweaking the settings on the LPI to pick up the penumbra of this
monster but finally settled on:

exposure: 0.004 seconds
Gain: 12
offset: 12
Histogram top slider: 124
Histogram bottom slider: 212
Single exposure

Thanks and keep up the great site.

Joe Caggiano

Subject:	Meade LPI: ETX 125 Telescopes
Sent:	Saturday, October 28, 2006 12:21:50
From:	hameed haji (hameedhaji88@yahoo.com)
I am the new owner of an ETX 125 . I have purchased Autostar suite as I
am keen to record what I observe. I have taken some shots of sections of
the moon thro the LPI (which I am very proud of), however I would like
to take a full shot of the moon. Is there a way that I can do this,
there may be something Im missing.  Secendly can I take a photo of the
new crescent. Also, as you are aware during night it's possible for me
to do the AUTO Alignment ( two stars), therefore I would be greatful if
you advise how to do it during the day as  the object is not visible.

Your promt answer for the above enquiries, will be appreciated.

Kindly regards,
A.Hameed Haji

Mike here: To image the full Moon you would need a "focal reducer"; Scopetronix has one but you would have to find a dealer who has one since Scopetronix is currently under going some difficulties. Alternatively you could use the Shutan Wide Field Adapter (see the Accessory Reviews: Showcase Products for more info). OR you could image sections of the Moon and them put them together in a single image. As to aligning during the daytime, what I do is "fake" the alignment. Just set the ETX up in the proper HOME position and then accept the alignment stars "as centered". The more accurate the HOME position the more accurate the alignment will be.

Subject:	LPI Question
Sent:	Monday, September 18, 2006 14:45:29
From:	Todd Michael (advance375a@yahoo.com)
I must say you have an incredible site. I have found the information to
be most complete and useful. It is more informative then most forums and
certainly more so then any scope dealer. I appreciate the time and
effort you put forth to keep us all up to date. 

I have a question about the Meade LPI. I have heard there are problems
with the software. Both in installation and computers freezing up. I am
to purchase A LPI tomorrow(Sept.19,2006) and would like to know how bad
these problems are and if there is a solution to them. I own a DellB130
laptop. I am running Windows XP service pack 2, Intel Celeron Mobile
1.4GHZ, 512MB ram, 100GB hard drive, USB 2.0, and a 14.1 inch XGA
widescreen. Any help or response you can give would be appreciated. If I
have disturbed you or infringed on your privacy I apologize. Thanks for
all you do for all of us.

Thanks Again,
Todd Carter(advance375a@yahoo.com)

Mike here: Most of the reported problems are old or a misunderstanding of the software (Meade's manuals aren't the greatest in the world) or trying to use an underpowered PC or are related to some Windows issue. If you get a new one you should get a recent version of the software. If you have problems, check the Meade AutoStar Suite troubleshooting page for some help. If you continue to have problems, feel free to drop an inquiry here; as you have seen, there are many excellent people who contribute responses.

And:

Thank You for taking the time to read and respond to my question. I have
found your explanation most helpful. Keep up the great work on your
site. And perhaps when I get the LPI figured out I can send in some
images to your excellent site.Thanks Again.
Respectfully,
Todd Carter(advance375a@yahoo.com)

Subject:	Re: Using the Meade LPI
Sent:	Wednesday, August 9, 2006 09:17:03
From:	J.A.Russo (jrusso@bellatlantic.net)
Thank you for a quick reply and for a great web site. The CD has the DSI
manual on it but no manual specifically for the LPI. However, reading
the DSI manual and playing with the LPI, I see that there is almost no
difference in how they work. Thanks, again.
Joe

Subject:	Using the Meade LPI
Sent:	Tuesday, August 8, 2006 14:31:05
From:	J.A.Russo (jrusso@bellatlantic.net)
Are there any instructions, manuals, videos, etc., showing how to use
the Meade LPI? I just purchased one but there is nothing included
discussing how to stack photos, touch them up, etc.? A while ago I did
come across a video showing exactly these matters, but I simply can't
find it again.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Joe

Mike here: The manual is (or at least used to be) on the CD-ROM that comes with the LPI. I don't recall any LPI tutorial video but Meade has one on the DSI (see the Helpful Information: Tutorials page for the link to the Meade videos).

Subject:	LPI installation question
Sent:	Sunday, July 16, 2006 17:41:25
From:	David Somach (David@sagoware.com)
First off, I would like to tell you how wonderful your site is! I live
in Cleveland, OH and I went to the NASA Glenn center a couple years ago
for a presentation about telescopes. After the presentation, I talked to
many people there and told them that I was interested in purchasing my
first telescope. Every single one of them recommended that I visit your
site for information about the meade ETX and LXD. I never went with the
meade's simply because I do not have much money and I wanted to get the
most aperture for my money. I ended getting a Hardin Optical Star-HOC 6"
scope. So far, I have been very pleased with its performance, especially
considering the price ($350 for the scope, solid equatorial mount, and
R.A. drive).

I have been looking at your website all along and I have been fascinated
with the idea of astrophotography. I was thinking about the original
DSI, but I wasn't sure about it so I picked up an LPI from astromart for
$55 (not a big price to get my feet wet). The only problem is that the
astromarter who I purchased from lost his installation CD! I was just
wondering if you happened to know if there was a website where I could
pick up the complete autostar/LPI image capture program. I figured that
if there is anyone out there who knows of such a thing, it would be you!

In the meantime, I will continue browsing your site to pick up tips and
tricks about imaging with the LPI.

Clear Skies,
David

Mike here: You will have to contact Meade to get an installation CD-ROM. Alternatively, if you use Mac OS X or Linux, you can use one the techniques/software described on the Helpful Information: Astrophotography page.

And:

Thanks! I'll be calling Meade tomorrow.

-David

Subject:	AUTOSTAR LPI Probem.
Sent:	Friday, July 7, 2006 12:21:48
From:	RONALD KELTON (rkelt@btopenworld.com)
I hope you will forgive me for invading your privacy, but I really am
desperate for an answer to a USB / LPI problem.

I recently bought a LX 90 12"  Telescope, and with it came the Autostar
Suite, and the LPI.

Upgrading  to the latest versions did not cure the problem I am
experiencing.

I am trying to familiarize myself with the device indoors on my desktop
machine, which has Windows XP Professional loaded. The camera works fine
producing images, but when I disconnect from the USB port, I get the
blue screen of death, and my machine shuts down.

The trouble is obviously due to a device driver conflict of some
description, but the BSOD message does not remain on the screen long
enough to read.

I cannot find a XP driver fix anywhere, supposing that there is such a
fix out there.

Can you offer any suggestions. I understand if you choose to ignore this
plea. I should probably use a forum for this sort of help.

Thanks anyway. Ron. Kelton.    (UK.)

Mike here: Have you checked Meade's site for the troubleshooting tips? I have not heard of such a problem when disconnecting the LPI.

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