M104

[codemonkey (Lee)]

Originally Posted by gb44

Very nice Lee.

Why did you go for the ZWO178mini for the guide cam?

GlennB

Thanks Glenn :-)

I use the QHY178M for the main imaging camera and the ZWO 174 mini for guiding. I'm not 100% sure which one you're asking about, so I'll answer both :-)

I use the QHY178M for my imaging camera because it provides great resolution (in terms of arc-seconds per pixel) with my scope, has low read noise, reasonable number of pixels, and field of view which suits me well since I mostly image galaxies.

I use the ASI174 mini guide cam because it has a good form factor which means it doesn't get in the way of my focuser or anything, it has reasonable size pixels, moderate read noise (reasonably low at high gain), but most importantly because it has a pretty big sensor for a guide cam, which makes it easier to find a guide star and since I use an OAG, that's very important.

[gb44 (Glenn)]

Thanks Lee.
And thanks for the inspiration too.

[alpal]

Originally Posted by codemonkey

Thanks Allan :-)

With the Paracorr I think it's closer to 1000mm (989.39mm according to plate solving), but your point still stands.

I think it's more about aperture and sampling (e.g. arc seconds per pixel) than focal length as such, you don't really need a large focal length these days with such small pixels on cameras.

Hi Lee,
I'm aware of the smaller pixels but it is still remarkable.


cheers
Allan

[Atmos (Colin)]

Very nice detail Lee, the dust lanes are showing up really nicely
Always like your star colours

[codemonkey (Lee)]

Originally Posted by alpal

Hi Lee,
I'm aware of the smaller pixels but it is still remarkable.


cheers
Allan

Cheers Allan :-) I hope I didn't come off as patronising, it wasn't my intention, was just trying to get across the point that you don't need big focal lengths these days, technology is changing things on us again.

Originally Posted by Atmos

Very nice detail Lee, the dust lanes are showing up really nicely
Always like your star colours

Thanks Colin! :-) That's one of the areas I think I could improve this... the large stars could probably do with some more colour, and some of the smaller ones could probably do with a bit less.

[codemonkey (Lee)]

Originally Posted by gb44

Thanks Lee.
And thanks for the inspiration too.

No probs Glenn! :-)