What can be done with a 24" and excellent seeing

strongmanmike (Michael) · #1 11-07-2009, 08:40 AM

This amazing image was captured last year from Crete in Greece by some amateur astronomers.

The link to the raw Hubble version is astonishing too,

http://www.capella-observatory.com/I.../Abell2218.htm

A red shift z of 2.515 is nearly 13 billion light years by my calculation, is that correct???

Mike

spacezebra (Petra) · #2 11-07-2009, 10:11 AM

I agree, excellent image OMG!

.

Cheers Petra d.

AlexN · #3 11-07-2009, 11:56 AM

Utterly amazing!
I believe z=2.515 would be heading towards 13b light years yes... so that photograph is pretty much showing the dawn of time...

I can't recall exactly what the Hubble ultra deep field image's most distant galaxy measured in at, but i believe it was much the same..

Incredible work, especially the overall sharpness and detail, given both the distance of the target, the >4m focal length and indeed, the use of gravitational lensing. Amazing effort for amateur astronomers...

sheeny (Al) · #4 11-07-2009, 12:11 PM

Lovely. Thanks for posting Mike.

Al.

Lester · #5 11-07-2009, 02:20 PM

Awesome deep field.

Thanks.

Alchemy (Clive) · #6 11-07-2009, 05:26 PM

first gravitational lensing ive seen with an amatuer instrument ...... if you can call 24 inches amatuer

.

so mike, challenge for a 6 inch scope, can it be done ?????

Gama · #7 11-07-2009, 06:17 PM

Check out the seeing, holly mosses, its 0.77 FWHM.
The garbage we have been getting around these here woods is making me cry.

Theo

Hagar (Doug) · #8 11-07-2009, 06:50 PM

0.77 in my dreams. I would kill for seeing that good. Then I'd stuff up the focus I suppose.

Wonderful image.
Thanks for posting it Mike.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #9 11-07-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagar

0.77 in my dreams. I would kill for seeing that good. Then I'd stuff up the focus I suppose.

Wonderful image.
Thanks for posting it Mike.

If you go to the observatory site info they have seeing as good as 0.3"

And all the while, in Crete, in the Mediterranean, drinking Oozo, eating Dolmadis and Kalimata olives....aaaaaah Kala Zorba!

shane.mcneil · #10 22-09-2009, 08:36 PM

That is a great photo. Hasn't the Hubble taught us a lot?

Regarding amateur scopes I saw this video on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXMHASJquV4

I think he said that he reckons he has seen Einstein's Cross. Either way you should see what he has built. Wish I had the money.

Shane.

batema (Mark) · #11 22-09-2009, 09:56 PM

I just watched the seven parts to the youtube video and that guy is one serious amateur astronomer with an incredibly understanding wife. Thanks for the link.

Mark

Peter Ward · #12 22-09-2009, 10:18 PM

I'm sorry, I don't understand.

It's all Greek to me.

renormalised (Carl) · #13 22-09-2009, 10:27 PM

Very good image...they're lucky on Crete

. Island air is always more stable than continental air. Far less temp differences and surrounded by stable airmass over the water.

Ouzo...no thanks, don't like aniseed

renormalised (Carl) · #14 22-09-2009, 10:42 PM

Just had a look at the site for the scope. It's near a mountain called Psiloritis....sounds like a disease!!!!

DavidU (Dave) · #15 22-09-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

If you go to the observatory site info they have seeing as good as 0.3"

And all the while, in Crete, in the Mediterranean, drinking Oozo, eating Dolmadis and Kalimata olives....aaaaaah Kala Zorba!

Yeh makes me sick!! 0.3 !!!!!

Suuuuuperb image

Gama · #16 23-09-2009, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

I'm sorry, I don't understand.

It's all Greek to me.

Isnt ya Misses Greek Peter ?..

Theo