This is an image of NGC 3344, a weakly barred spiral galaxy in Leo Minor that is infrequently imaged. Roughly 1/2 the size of the Milky Way galaxy, it is about 25M l-y distant and belongs to a small group of galaxies known as the Leo spur, a branch of the giant Virgo super-cluster. Professional studies have shown a peculiar distribution of star velocities in the outer arms of the galaxy, something that isn't easily explained by influence from the central bulge or the bar.? It's possible this is the result of an interaction with a dwarf companion galaxy sometime in the past, an event that might also account for the widespread areas of star formation (pink areas) in NGC 3344.? The image was taken during four nights in Feb-Mar 2025 with a CDK 12.5" scope and a QSI-640ws camera at f/8 from SkyPi Remote Observatory. Total LRGB integration was 16 hours.
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Thanks for looking,
Bruce W.
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@Kevin, Geof, and Manning - thanks for the kind feedback.
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Bruce
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Beautiful.? This is why we do this hobby.
Manning B
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Bruce
What a beautiful galaxy, you do keep finding them. I also really like the cosmic searchlight effect of the bright star at 4 o’clock.
Best regards,
Geof
Sent from
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This is NGC 3338, a spiral galaxy in Leo that is almost never imaged. ?I don't know the reason for that unless it's because there are five other larger and better-known spiral galaxies in Leo. ?There is also little information
about the galaxy online other than "it's there" and has a mass nearly as large as the Milky Way galaxy. ?The spiral arm structure is rather unusual. ?On the right side in this image, the arms are fairly smooth and well-formed like a "grand spiral". But on
the opposite side, things look more chaotic with "fragments" of spiral arms lying at odd angles. ?The galaxy is part of a small group and there are two dwarf galaxies that orbit NGC 3338, so maybe that accounts for the odd structure. ?The image was taken during
three nights in Feb 2025 with a CDK 12.5" scope and a QSI-640ws camera at f/8 from SkyPi Remote Observatory. Total LRGB integration was 17 hours.
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?
Thanks for looking,
Bruce W.
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A beautiful image, Bruce, with wonderful detail and dynamic color.? It is hard to believe that such a magnificent galaxy is rarely imaged.??
Clear skies, Kevin
From: "bw via groups.io" <bw_msg01@...> To: "QSI-CCD" < [email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 10:16:07 PM Subject: [QSI-CCD] NGC 3338 image
This is NGC 3338, a spiral galaxy in Leo that is almost never imaged. ?I don't know the reason for that unless it's because there are five other larger and better-known spiral galaxies in Leo. ?There is also little information about the galaxy online other than "it's there" and has a mass nearly as large as the Milky Way galaxy. ?The spiral arm structure is rather unusual. ?On the right side in this image, the arms are fairly smooth and well-formed like a "grand spiral". But on the opposite side, things look more chaotic with "fragments" of spiral arms lying at odd angles. ?The galaxy is part of a small group and there are two dwarf galaxies that orbit NGC 3338, so maybe that accounts for the odd structure. ?The image was taken during three nights in Feb 2025 with a CDK 12.5" scope and a QSI-640ws camera at f/8 from SkyPi Remote Observatory. Total LRGB integration was 17 hours.
?
?
Thanks for looking,
Bruce W.
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This is NGC 3338, a spiral galaxy in Leo that is almost never imaged. ?I don't know the reason for that unless it's because there are five other larger and better-known spiral galaxies in Leo. ?There is also little information about the galaxy online other than "it's there" and has a mass nearly as large as the Milky Way galaxy. ?The spiral arm structure is rather unusual. ?On the right side in this image, the arms are fairly smooth and well-formed like a "grand spiral". But on the opposite side, things look more chaotic with "fragments" of spiral arms lying at odd angles. ?The galaxy is part of a small group and there are two dwarf galaxies that orbit NGC 3338, so maybe that accounts for the odd structure. ?The image was taken during three nights in Feb 2025 with a CDK 12.5" scope and a QSI-640ws camera at f/8 from SkyPi Remote Observatory. Total LRGB integration was 17 hours.
?
?
Thanks for looking,
Bruce W.
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Re: QSI 5xx/6xx schematics
Go. To resources> manuals>drawings. There iare drawings for the 600 series cameras.
I hope that this helps
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On Mar 23, 2025, at 12:47?PM, Gaetan ZAESSINGER via groups.io <gaetan.zaessinger@...> wrote:
? Hello,
I'm searching QSI camera schematics with cotation (like blueprints).
I think, I have somes a few years ago, but can't find them on my HDD, or on QSI website.
?
I search on the files of the group, but not find, if someone can help me ;)
?
best regards
?
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Hello,
I'm searching QSI camera schematics with cotation (like blueprints).
I think, I have somes a few years ago, but can't find them on my HDD, or on QSI website.
?
I search on the files of the group, but not find, if someone can help me ;)
?
best regards
?
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Re: 6120 Dark Frames in Question
It has been a while since I used my QSI 6120i……but recall that I never saw the need for dark frames when using this camera….I just used Flats & Master Bias. ? Kinch. ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of ZackD via groups.io
Sent: Saturday 22 March 2025 21:34
To: [email protected]
Subject: [QSI-CCD] 6120 Dark Frames in Question? I am in the midst of a sale of a QSI6120 and am looking to gather some sample data from some other QSI 6120 owners to have some apples to apples comparisons. I own 2 and both exhibit similar noise profiles but I am being told there is something wrong with them and would really appreciate some help.? my understanding has been these are quite low noise cameras so the structured noise can be visible where as in others it can be hidden under the larger noise floor.?
Here are a recent set of the first camera:
Could anyone please share some raw dark frames examples or if you could take a look at these and give a sanity check.?
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6120 Dark Frames in Question
Hello Community!
Hello!
?
I am in the midst of a sale of a QSI6120 and am looking to gather some sample data from some other QSI 6120 owners to have some apples to apples comparisons.
I own 2 and both exhibit similar noise profiles but I am being told there is something wrong with them and would really appreciate some help.?
?
my understanding has been these are quite low noise cameras so the structured noise can be visible where as in others it can be hidden under the larger noise floor.?
Here are a recent set of the first camera:
?
Could anyone please share some raw dark frames examples or if you could take a look at these and give a sanity check.?
?
Thank you!!
?
?
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What's Up With Atik & QSI
I recently looked at SharpCap as a possible addition to my software suite.? I noticed that Atik is listed among the supported cameras but QSI is not.? That prompted me to look at the Atik website and I noticed that QSI is nowhere to be found there.? When I go to QSImaging.com, I see a history of Atik's acquisition of QSI and mention of "[t]he integration of QSI into Atik’s operations".? It doesn't seem very integrated to me when Atik completely ignores QSI on its Website.
?
Can someone enlighten me on the story here?? Is this a matter of design and manufacturing being integrated, but sales channels being completely separate? Or, is there more to this?
?
And, lastly, do I surmise correctly that SharpCap does NOT support QSI cameras???
?
Thank you,
Manning B
?
?
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Re: PinPoint DemoExtender not running Maxim DL 6x
Hi Will,
Yes, I will do as you suggest and explain the error to the forum. And I do need to change the topic thread. I started with Maxim LE
back a few years ago as a learning starting point and am very comfortable with Maxim and Diffraction Limited. I too, am too old
to learn new tricks and don't want to start all over again.
What was so curious is that when I got the "Pinpoint LE restored successfully" message, and I tried to open Maxim 6, I received a new message that said "Maxim LE failed to downgrade PinPoint Full to LE. PInPoint has been disabled. Please contact customer support.
I am not sure what that means but just maybe Colin can explain it to me.
One last thing I accidently discovered was when I received the error "Pinpoint serial validation failed - no validator engine, code =?
= 2147221005" --- I would hit the OK button, and the message would not go away. Earlier, I had to do a forced shutdown of my?
PC which I did not like. But later, just for the sake of it, I kept clicking the OK button and after about the 7th?time, Maxim DL 6 would?
open! That was very odd and I don't think that is the correct way to go,
Anyway, thanks for all your appreciative time and effort.?
Eduardo
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Hi Eduardo.
?
I suspect that something has changed in Windows 11 recently to cause this problem, or there is some unwanted side-effect of having installed MaxIm DL 7 previously.
?
There is another MaxIm DL 6.x user with exactly the same problem just yesterday on the Diffraction Limited forum and he also reported today that the patch file does not seem to work, although his problem began with a Windows crash.
?
I suggest that you update your topic thread on the MaxIm support forum and explain that you have the PinPoint Serial Validation Error and can’t correct it by running the DemoExtender patch file on MaxIm DL 6.50 and then wait for Colin Haig of Diffraction
Limited to get back to you when he returns from vacation on Monday next week.
?
To use your QSI 683 in the meantime you could try MaxIm D7 and the QSI ASCOM drivers again, remembering from earlier that you may have to uninstall and reinstall the QSI drivers a couple of times using Windows “add and remove programs” in Windows Settings
before the QSI ASCOM driver gets properly installed.
?
If you want to try a free alternative to MaxIm with the QSI683 then several QSI users here will be using N.I.N.A., although with the same limitations as in MaxIm DL 7 that you can’t access all the features of the 683 camera through the QSI ASCOM driver.
Nevertheless N.I.N.A is a good match for the QSI 6 series cameras and appears from what I’ve heard that it is a more stable capture program than MaxIm, and faster to download images from the camera.
?
Unfortunately I’m tied into MaxIm myself because my observatory is run under DC3Dreams ACP control, which only works with MaxIm, PinPoint and FocusMax, and I’ve put too many years into getting this setup working reliably unattended to change now (and getting
too old to learn new tricks also!).
?
You can download the free capture application N.I.N.A.
and see if it meets your needs until Diffraction Limited can resolve the problem with PinPoint, but I can’t help you with anything in N.I.N.A. as I don’t use it.
?
Will.
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Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
Hi Eduardo.
?
I suspect that something has changed in Windows 11 recently to cause this problem, or there is some unwanted side-effect of having installed MaxIm DL 7 previously.
?
There is another MaxIm DL 6.x user with exactly the same problem just yesterday on the Diffraction Limited forum and he also reported today that the patch file does not seem to work, although his problem began with a Windows crash.
?
I suggest that you update your topic thread on the MaxIm support forum and explain that you have the PinPoint Serial Validation Error and can’t correct it by running the DemoExtender patch file on MaxIm DL 6.50 and then wait for Colin Haig of Diffraction Limited to get back to you when he returns from vacation on Monday next week.
?
To use your QSI 683 in the meantime you could try MaxIm D7 and the QSI ASCOM drivers again, remembering from earlier that you may have to uninstall and reinstall the QSI drivers a couple of times using Windows “add and remove programs” in Windows Settings before the QSI ASCOM driver gets properly installed.
?
If you want to try a free alternative to MaxIm with the QSI683 then several QSI users here will be using N.I.N.A., although with the same limitations as in MaxIm DL 7 that you can’t access all the features of the 683 camera through the QSI ASCOM driver.
Nevertheless N.I.N.A is a good match for the QSI 6 series cameras and appears from what I’ve heard that it is a more stable capture program than MaxIm, and faster to download images from the camera.
?
Unfortunately I’m tied into MaxIm myself because my observatory is run under DC3Dreams ACP control, which only works with MaxIm, PinPoint and FocusMax, and I’ve put too many years into getting this setup working reliably unattended to change now (and getting too old to learn new tricks also!).
?
You can download the free capture application N.I.N.A. and see if it meets your needs until Diffraction Limited can resolve the problem with PinPoint, but I can’t help you with anything in N.I.N.A. as I don’t use it.
?
Will.
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Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
Hi Will,
It appears that the process worked except for one thing. I got the correct message --?
Pinpoint 1-Time Demo Extender
This program will provide a one-time extension
of PinPoint. Additional extensions cannot be provided.
Or, Click below to restore PinPointLE in Maxim, etc.
[Click to Restore PinPoint LE]?
And I clicked on it and got this response -
DemoExtender?
[PinPoint LE restored successfully.]
'OK'
And I should be good to go, but when I open Maxim DL, it goes back to the?
original messages - License has expired, etc --- Pinpoint serial validation failed.?
No validation engine, code? =? 2147221005.
Eduardo
Thanks so much for your time and patience.
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Hi Eduardo.
?
Unzip the file first then mouse-right-click on the extracted file and choose “Run administrator “ from the context menu.
?
If “Run as administrator” is missing from the context menu then before using mouse-right-click, hold down the keyboard left side shift key and keeping the shift key depressed then mouse-right-click on the extracted file and “Run as administrator” should
now appear in the context menu.
?
Keep the keyboard left side shift key depressed while you click on “Run as administrator” and release the shift key once the patch file starts to run.
?
Microsoft have added extra security steps in Windows 11 that make it harder to start downloaded executable (.exe) files so maybe this is the reason you don’t have the “Run as administrator” in the context menu.
?
It gets harder all the time to manage Windows and keep on top of all the security changes that seem to occur with every monthly Windows update, so don’t worry you’re not the only one that struggles with Windows these days.
?
Will.
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Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
Hi Eduardo.
?
Unzip the file first then mouse-right-click on the extracted file and choose “Run administrator “ from the context menu.
?
If “Run as administrator” is missing from the context menu then before using mouse-right-click, hold down the keyboard left side shift key and keeping the shift key depressed then mouse-right-click on the extracted file and “Run as administrator” should now appear in the context menu.
?
Keep the keyboard left side shift key depressed while you click on “Run as administrator” and release the shift key once the patch file starts to run.
?
Microsoft have added extra security steps in Windows 11 that make it harder to start downloaded executable (.exe) files so maybe this is the reason you don’t have the “Run as administrator” in the context menu.
?
It gets harder all the time to manage Windows and keep on top of all the security changes that seem to occur with every monthly Windows update, so don’t worry you’re not the only one that struggles with Windows these days.
?
Will.
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Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
Hello Will,?
If it's okay I would like to give this step one more chance if you will bare with me.
I am following your instructions and just maybe I don't understand something.
I dowloaded the PinPointDemo and it shows up as a zip file. I open it and it is shown?
in the Downloads file. I right click on the file but cannot select "Run as administrtor becausse
it is not on the select list at all. Should I do "Extract All" first? I am not sure how to proceed.
Please pardon my computer savvy.
Eduardo
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I will send you a patch file to fix that PinPoint message.
?
A new installation of MaxIm includes a trial of the full version of PinPoint incorporated into MaxIm, which lasts for three months after which it downgrades to PinPointLE unless you purchase a full PinPoint license, which is not needed for most users.
?
The pop-up message you see is because MaxIm DL 6 is using an already expired license when started up for the first time (I think).
?
I’ll send the patch file to you via a Diffraction Limited private message, when you download the file make sure that MaxIm DL6 is closed then mouse-right click the patch file and select “Run as administrator” this is an important step which must not be
missed otherwise the file will open and run but it wont fix the problem.
?
When the patch file opens just follow the screen prompts to downgrade PinPoint to PinPointLE and when done the next time you start MaxIm DL6 that pop-up message should be gone.
?
If still having problems with MaxIm DL6 after that you’ll need to ask for help on the Diffraction Limited forum as I have no other tools or patches for DL6 beyond those I’ve already provided and for anything deeper you’ll need expert help from their support
staff.
?
Will.
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Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
Hello Will,?
I got the Maxim 6.5 plugins working. However, I am having issues with the Pinpoint LE. My PC doesn't like it
so, I will ask the Forum for help. I still get the same messages, but I will not give up!
Thanks for all your fantastic help
Eduardo
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Hi Eduardo.
?
Only connect the camera after all the software is installed, including the QSI-MaxIm Plugin, then after checking that MaxIm starts up ok and you have entered the license key close MaxIm and plug-in the camera.
?
Next time that you start MaxIm with the camera already plugged in open the Camera Control window and on the setup tab select QSI Universal from the drop-down menu for camera and carry out any configuration steps needed.
?
Repeat the same procedure to select the filter wheel by selecting QSI Universal in the drop-down menu under the filter wheel section of the camera setup tab.
?
Will.
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Re: QSI683 randomly disconnecting
Hello everybody,
I finally fixed the issue with random disconnecting of the camera! It was a classical?"man in the middle" issue. All the devices mounted on the optical train were connected with both power supply and USB ports to my Wanderer Astro Plus V3 powerbox. Power supply seems fine, but the fault was in the USB ports of this powerbox. After reconnecting the USB cables to an industrial 12v powered USB Hub everything came back to normal. So be warned in case you were thinking of getting a powerbox for both 12v and USB.
Clear skies Nicola
Il giorno mer 5 mar 2025 alle ore 21:28 Pictor User via <pictor-mb= [email protected]> ha scritto: Nicola,
Check the Properties of your USB Controllers in Device Manager (<Windows key>X), and see if "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" is checked in the Power Management tab.? If you have checked it before, check it again.? Sometimes Windows updates turn this back on.
Good luck,
Manning B?
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Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
Hello Will.?
You have been of extreme great help, and I do
appreciate your contribution to my dilemma,?
I really was lost with the Pinpoint message but
your explanation made me breath a lot easier.
Thanks again,
Eduardo
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Show quoted text
I will send you a patch file to fix that PinPoint message.
?
A new installation of MaxIm includes a trial of the full version of PinPoint incorporated into MaxIm, which lasts for three months after which it downgrades to PinPointLE unless you purchase a full PinPoint license, which is not needed for most users.
?
The pop-up message you see is because MaxIm DL 6 is using an already expired license when started up for the first time (I think).
?
I’ll send the patch file to you via a Diffraction Limited private message, when you download the file make sure that MaxIm DL6 is closed then mouse-right click the patch file and select “Run as administrator” this is an important step which must not be
missed otherwise the file will open and run but it wont fix the problem.
?
When the patch file opens just follow the screen prompts to downgrade PinPoint to PinPointLE and when done the next time you start MaxIm DL6 that pop-up message should be gone.
?
If still having problems with MaxIm DL6 after that you’ll need to ask for help on the Diffraction Limited forum as I have no other tools or patches for DL6 beyond those I’ve already provided and for anything deeper you’ll need expert help from their support
staff.
?
Will.
|
Re: Driver Setup Dialog Error
I will send you a patch file to fix that PinPoint message.
?
A new installation of MaxIm includes a trial of the full version of PinPoint incorporated into MaxIm, which lasts for three months after which it downgrades to PinPointLE unless you purchase a full PinPoint license, which is not needed for most users.
?
The pop-up message you see is because MaxIm DL 6 is using an already expired license when started up for the first time (I think).
?
I’ll send the patch file to you via a Diffraction Limited private message, when you download the file make sure that MaxIm DL6 is closed then mouse-right click the patch file and select “Run as administrator” this is an important step which must not be missed otherwise the file will open and run but it wont fix the problem.
?
When the patch file opens just follow the screen prompts to downgrade PinPoint to PinPointLE and when done the next time you start MaxIm DL6 that pop-up message should be gone.
?
If still having problems with MaxIm DL6 after that you’ll need to ask for help on the Diffraction Limited forum as I have no other tools or patches for DL6 beyond those I’ve already provided and for anything deeper you’ll need expert help from their support staff.
?
Will.
|
Geof Lewis
Brendan Kinch
WILL B
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