I’ve been on holiday in Florida for a couple of weeks so haven’t had a chance to update the site.

In early August I ordered an EQMOD USB interface from Pierro Astro but due to the August holiday in France it didn’t arrive until I’d left the country. Luckily for me my neighbour took the parcel and last night was the first chance I’ve had to test it.

EQMOD is an ongoing project which is available to download at no cost and has a Yahoo group to keep people up to date with enhancements. The software, when combined with an interface, allows the EQ6 (and EQ5) to be controlled directly from your favourite astronomy software. By adding VNC remote control software I can sit inside the house and control the telescope and camera without freezing my feet off! 

Initial tests look promising but I did find it difficult to align the scope without a hand controller. I managed 34 frames of my old favourite M27, the dumbbell nebula, and I think the colder weather has helped reduce camera noise, it was 20+ degrees C last time I imaged and maybe 5 degrees or so last night. It’s forecast colder again tonight but I don’t know if I’ll have a chance to get out.

I’ll add some screen-shots and more comments when I’ve had a full session with EQMOD.  At least the evenings are getting darker so I’ll be able to start imaging earlier over the next month or so.