Lego Star Tracker V6 - Test 2 - Changes and Challenges

Over Improvement

I suppose I got a little too ahead of myself after the first test of the sixth version of the Lego Star Tracker yielded such solid and consistent results.  I had a list of small tweaks that I wanted to make and I completed those and added a few more along the way.

So imagine my surprise as the second night of shooting with this version ended up being dreadful.  I couldn't figure out at the time what was going on.  But upon further review, I was able to piece it together and the good news is I know what to fix - or rather undo.

Lego Star Tracker V6 - Test 1 - High Hopes

It's A Start

Conditions were far from ideal but there was enough of a break in the clouds to cram in a quick test of the Lego Star Tracker version 6.  Seriously, in the entire month of November, there was only one clear night that was suitable for imaging.  Well, that's how it goes in these parts I suppose...

But hey, a test is a test and I was able to learn a lot.  My results tell me I'm not quite there yet, but I've made significant progress and despite the challenges I faced this evening I had the most consistent results with the tracker to date. 

 

Lego Star Tracker V5 Tests 2-5 - One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Frustratingly Fun!

I thought I was standing on the precipice of greatness.  The reality is I was just being served a big ole slice of humble pie.  I made a couple of minor design tweaks which I was expecting to deliver outstanding performance.  Testing, however, showed me I greatly overestimated my improvements.  In fact, my performance seems to have digressed a bit.

I had a run of OK nights weather-wise and wanted to head out into the backyard to run some more tracking tests.  I'll break down the details below, but spoiler alert - I'm a bit stuck at the moment.  I think I know what I need to do, just not sure how I'm going to be able to do it.  That doesn't mean I'm giving up, but rather gearing up for another likely major overhaul.

Lego Star Tracker V5 Test 1 - Exceeding Expectations

Waiting is Hard Work

I've been intently staring at the weather forecast for the past 9 days just itching for an opportunity to get out and test out version 5 of the Lego Star Tracker.  Unfortunately, the weather has been exceedingly fickle.  We've had patches of sun during the day, but by the time evening falls, we've been socked in with clouds.  Big-time bummer!

But tonight, I've had a bit of a break and so I scurried out into the backyard to get set up.  It's just about a full moon and there is a blanket of high clouds in the atmosphere but tonight is all about simply testing the tracking ability of the new design.  I can live with these conditions for testing.

Waiting this long was hard work but once I got set up, I can tell you my expectations were greatly exceeded.

 

Lego Star Tracker V4 Test 5 - I Got Problems

Questions Answered

Alright, I'm determined to get my focus right tonight and my batteries are all charged and I'm ready to go.  I only made one very minor update to the tracker.  I stuck 4 little foam pads on bottom of the base to hopefully attenuate any noise due to vibrations and minimize any level issues with my table.

This turned out to be a great idea.  Not because it worked real well (although it did), it actually helped me figure out the problem I was struggling to understand all along.  How could I not track, then track, and then not track again?  Well, I figured it out.  And man, I got problems now...

 

Lego Star Tracker V4 Test 4 - I'm Still a Moron

Lack of Focus

I added a couple of 8 tooth spur gears on the left and right side of the 24 tooth gear being driven by the worm gear which added just a touch of stability to the system.  Another clear but cool night and I was all set to get testing.

But a lack of focus led to, well, a lack of focus.  I'm happy to report that I had another good night of tracking.  However, when I got back inside and took a closer look at the RAW files, I realized I was tracking donut stars.  After focusing, I wrapped a dew heater around the lens and obviously knocked my focus way out of whack.  Either that or the temperature drop really messed things up. 

So.... Here's a plate of 60 second yumminess!

Canon 250D, f/2.8 ISO 800 Exp 60s, RAW

 

I'm surprised I didn't notice that on my screen, but apparently I wasn't paying enough attention.  Who can blame me, I was still riding that high from my last session.  I got a little ahead of myself in my eagerness.

Ok, better luck next time.

Lego Star Tracker V4 Test 2 - I'm A Moron

Beautiful Skies, Dead in the Water

This was supposed to be the post where I tell you all about how I went out and took perfectly tracked photos with my DIY Lego Star Tracker.  Yeah, well, that isn't going to happen because I'm a moron.

In my excitement to get back out, I never even thought to check the batteries in my Lego Boost Controller.  Yep, I got all set up, turned everything on and then 4 minutes later ... kaput.  Being a Sunday in Poland, the shops are all closed so that's going to make for a short night.

Ah, oh well.  Forecast says we may have clear skies again in a couple of days.  Maybe now I have some time to make a few more adjustments.  Oh, and of course a run to the store tomorrow to get rechargeable batteries.  We'll see, but that's all for now.

Lego Star Tracker V4 Test 1 - Ten Long Days

The Clouds Just Wouldn't Quit

I really wasn't kidding about Krakow weather.  It hasn't been terribly bad over the past 10 days, just completely overcast.  Not a happy situation when I'm itching like mad to get outside and test the latest version of my tracker.

Well, the down time was at least well spent.  I started investigating what I could do to better control my camera while tracking and decided to check out the Astro Photography Tool (APT).  Not that I need any additional challenges when I finally do get outside, but this might be able to help as I'll be able to view my images as they're being taken and make adjustments on the fly rather than waiting until I get back inside.

Vacation Time with the Nifty Fifty

Something To Look Forward To

Things have been quite busy for me lately but one thing we've always prioritized as a family is getting away for a week or two every summer together.  This year, my wife booked us a cottage in the Northern village of Kopalino, Poland which sits a little over a mile away from the Baltic Sea.

I love being around the water so I was already pretty excited about getting away.  But imagine my enthusiasm when I discovered that Kopalino is located in a Bortle 4 zone.  This is a significantly darker location than where I am used to shooting, so I need to make the most of this opportunity - skies willing.

That is why I decided to take the plunge and go ahead and purchase my first new lens.  For this, I went with the very affordable Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM.  Now, before we hit the road, I have a couple of days to get out and learn how to use it.