I am an engineer and like to solve problems. I also like Astronomy. As I have said in my other books, this is not a book about Astronomy though. There are many good books about beginning Astronomy and learning the night sky.
This book addresses issues you may run into when starting to use your telescope and video assisted equipment remotely to see both solar system and deep sky objects while inside in near real time. This book contains helpful information that is not detailed in the manuals and will hopefully save you some time and frustration. See also RemoteVideoAstronomy.com.
The format of this book is simple. It contains the following list of questions with a discussion of the issue at hand.
Exactly what do you mean by "Beginning Remote Video Astronomy" (RVA)?
What is "near real time viewing"?
What is the minimum I need to begin Remote Video Astronomy?
How do I use this basic setup to get "first light" inside?
What are some tips as I get started?
What can I do if objects do not appear in the field of view after a GoTo slew?
What else would be helpful for an expanded system?
Can I adapt webcams for Video Astronomy?
Can I adapt security cams for Video Astronomy use?
What are the various methods used to display images remotely in Video Astronomy?
What are the pros and cons of the different types of cameras used in Video Astronomy?
Is there a way to use a finder scope remotely?
What may be wrong when using a hand controller extension cable if my mount continues to slew after reaching its target?
Is it feasible to do Remote Video Astronomy wirelessly?
Can I transmit the video to a receiver inside?
How can I control my mount over Wi-Fi?
How can I control my camera over Wi-Fi?
What is involved in displaying the video on an HD TV?
Can I adapt my DSLR for Video Astronomy use?
How can I use video cameras for both my main camera and my remote finder from the same PC?
What do I need to consider when adjusting the settings on the MallinCam micro when used as a remote finder scope?
What should I try out first at the telescope before operating remotely inside?
Is there a way to make initial coarse focusing easier?
Is there a way to make focusing a video finder scope easier?
Would a flip mirror be useful for RVA?
If I can't turn the focus knob enough, what do I do?
What do you typically use for your RVA system?
What does not work very well for Remote Video Astronomy?
What are hot pixels, warm pixels and amp glow and what can I do about them?
How do you compare using a camera to an eyepiece's magnification and field of view?
What are focal reducers and why would I use them?
Where should I put focal reducers in the optical train to avoid problems with focus, vignetting, etc.?
When should I use a Barlow lens instead of a focal reducer?
Does Video Astronomy require an Equatorial mount and/or autoguiding?
What is the difference between GoTo accuracy versus tracking accuracy?
What is the difference between camera frame integration and frame stacking in software?
Can I view a variety of selections from the moon, sun and planets to deep sky objects such as nebulae and galaxies with Video Astronomy?
When would I need different thread adapters (T-thread, C-thread, T-Ring, etc.) and nosepieces (1.25" and 2")?
What basic filters should I use for Video Astronomy?
What are the different ways a camera can be controlled from inside?
What are the different ways I can control my mount from inside?
Is there a way to do RVA with just one cable?
What are some ways you can do RVA wirelessly?
How do I fix high COM port numbers that are generated when using USB hubs if they cannot be selected in my software application running on a MS Windows system?
How can I view my camera's image on my laptop and TV at the same time?
How do I keep the cables from catching on something while the telescope slews to objects?
How can I keep an eye on my telescope and cables from inside when slewing to sky objects?
Are there other things ...
