Volunteers Wanted for iTelescope

[theskyhound]

Hello everyone,

I have a full plate these days, between software development, fixing bugs, customer support, tutorial videos, and just running a business. I seem to be reaching my limits. Keeping up with the constant upheaval at iTelescope has become more than I can handle. You may have noticed that I have fallen behind on keeping the ever changing elements of their systems up to date. I feel bad about this, but I also feel bad about the long wait for the new EAA features, and the lack of important new tutorial videos.

It occurred to me recently that crowd sourcing may be the best solution. It would be awesome if we could create a small iTelescope community here, or on our discord, that would work together keep the telescope information up to date. Perhaps each of us could adopt their favorite iTelescope and keep it updated whenever the equipment changes. Keeping track of one or even two iTelescopes is a fairly easy matter, especially if you use them yourself. I can make the process of getting your updates uploaded and shared simple as well.

What do you guys think? Are there enough iTelescope users here that are willing to adopt a telescope or two? 

Perhaps we might also create a small community here to share our images, projects, and techniques.

If you are interested, respond below with your thoughts and maybe volunteer for a telescope.

[PMSchu]

Hi Greg,

I'd be happy to help with this. I see that T68 in Utah is down as are quite a few other scopes.

Depending on how many folks on the forum use the iTelescopes, I prefer to keep track of things here rather than on Discord.

Phil S.

[theskyhound]

Just to be clear - I am talking about keeping track of the changes in filters, cameras, timings, or any of the other aspects of these telescopes in SkyTools. I have tools that can help. For example, if someone were to share their logs with me, I can generate a set of timings for that telescope.

[PMSchu]

OK. I haven't been using the iTelescopes too much lately, but maybe C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) would make a good target for the southern hemisphere scopes. I need to watch your new video about that comet next.

Do you want to set up a spreadsheet with filters, camera properties, etc that users can use to help get things set up on the forum or do everything through SkyTools? I guess using SkyTools itself would be the way to go.

Phil S.

[theskyhound]

Hi Phil,

Its a matter of customizing your settings for your adopted iTelescope. Things like the camera, installed filters, etc. These do change over time. But lets not get ahead of ourselves. I'll need to make sure that people won't have their changes overwritten if their subscription is on. I can also make a tutorial video or publish a set of instructions. But right now I need more volunteers to make it worth the while.

[Random]

Hello,
I am definitely interested in assisting with this effort. If you decide to crowdsource this, please let me know how I can help.

I believe the most up-to-date list of equipment is maintained by the iTelescope Discord Community on this spreadsheet:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...mQMPBVSOk/

https://support.itelescope.net/support/s...telescopes

[theskyhound]

Hello,

I also posted the appeal on the skyhound discord, and there has been a lot of discussion there. Ironically, many there have suggested we move the discussion here. I have "volunteered" to adopt T05 and T24 because I use them a lot. We have some general volunteers, and one person has "adopted" T73, T75, and T76.

The spreadsheet is nice, but I am really jaded after seeing them not update previous versions of this information, or move half of it to another location, etc. I've been working with them on this since 2015 and I am worn down. But this is part of how having more than just me involved can really improve things, so I will try to be optimistic. The biggest issue is whether nor not we can rely on them to keep it updated, and how do we know when it has been updated. Another problem with the spreadsheet is that it doesn't include Gain/Mode settings, and that is critical information for a CMOS camera. The volunteer did ask and obtain the Gain settings for T73, T75, T26, and T25. I am currently working on vetting these settings. Those telescopes are difficult because they are relatively new. For telescopes that have been around a lot longer, its really more a matter of keeping an eye out for upgrades or other changes. Cameras have a limited lifetime, for instance, so they tend to break and get replaced.

The best way to help is to volunteer to "adopt" one or more telescopes that you use regularly. Thanks!

[theskyhound]

Hello,

I also posted this appeal on the skyhound discord, and there has been a lot of discussion there. Ironically, many there have suggested we move the discussion here. I have "volunteered" to adopt T05 and T24 because I use them a lot. We have some general volunteers, and one person has "adopted" T73, T75, and T76.

The spreadsheet is nice, but I am really jaded after seeing them not update previous versions of this information, or move half of it to another location, etc. I've been working with them on this since 2015 and I am worn down. But this is part of how having more than just me involved can really improve things, so I will try to be optimistic. The biggest issue is whether nor not we can rely on them to keep it updated, and how do we know when it has been updated. Another problem with the spreadsheet is that it doesn't include Gain/Mode settings, and that is critical information for a CMOS camera. The volunteer did ask and obtained the Gain settings for T73, T75, T26, and T25. I am currently working on vetting these settings. Those telescopes are difficult because they are relatively new. For telescopes that have been around a lot longer, its really more a matter of keeping an eye out for upgrades or other changes. Cameras have a limited lifetime, for instance, so they tend to break and get replaced.

The best way to help is to volunteer to "adopt" one or more telescopes that you use regularly. Thanks!