Log in

View Full Version here: : 8"RC 2nd Light - NGC1977 - Arnie's favourite...

cybereye
18-01-2013, 09:25 PM
Hello everyone!!

Well I finally managed to put my 8" RC through its paces for the second time since I got it. This time I collimated it using the hand & camera method and got a lovely airy disk. I fine tuned my polar alignment using PHDlab (http://countingoldphotons.com/phdlab-intro/) and managed to get it to within ~5 arcmins of spot on, which I was very happy with.

After my somewhat disappointing first light with the Horsehead nebula I decided to image a brighter object and settled on NGC1977, The Running Man nebula, not to be confused with Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1987 film, The Running Man!!

So details of the image are:

Scope: GSO 8" RC F/8
Mount: HEQ5 Pro
Camera: QHY8L
Guiding: Orion ST80, QHY5 & PHD
LP Filter: Baader UHC-S
Subs: 20x5minutes
Darks, Flats and Dark Flats
Stacking: DSS
Processing: StarTools
Final Cosmetics: GIMP

Although a bit noisy, this is about 1 gazillion times better than my first light!

Cheers,
Mario
allan gould
18-01-2013, 10:12 PM
Excellent image Mario. I'm glad you are enjoying the 8" RC and it sure looks like you are nailing it now.
Larryp
18-01-2013, 10:18 PM
Very nice Mario:thumbsup:
tilbrook@rbe.ne
18-01-2013, 10:20 PM
That's very nice!

Good one Mario :thumbsup:

Cheers,

Justin.
RobF
18-01-2013, 11:20 PM
Glad to hear you've upgraded Mario. Experience and great pics to date bodes well for the reign of the RC. Expecting to see more great pics :)
peeb61
19-01-2013, 08:24 AM
Nice one Mario,
Good to see what we can do with our QHY8L's!

Paul
cybereye
20-01-2013, 07:22 AM
Thanks Allan. After my first light I was wondering if I'd done the right thing in changing my scope but now am more comfortable with my decision!



Thanks for the thumbs up Larry!




Thanks Justin!



Thanks Rob. By July, and another 6 months experience with the RC under my belt, the next AAIC can't come quick enough - then hopefully I can take my images to another level!



Paul, the best money I've ever spent!
Ross G
21-01-2013, 08:51 AM
Great capture Mario.

The RC8 is working well.

I am still to try mine!

Ross.
cybereye
21-01-2013, 10:06 AM
Ross,

Winter will be soon upon us and that should give plenty of opportunity to get our RC8's out!!

Cheers,
Mario
Leonardo70
23-01-2013, 06:46 PM
Very Nice Mario .... happy to see another GSO on the road !!!

All the best,
Leo
rustigsmed
23-01-2013, 11:14 PM
Nice pic!

How did you end up fixing the imaging problems that you had on the horse head?

Cheers

Rusty
cybereye
24-01-2013, 07:16 AM
Grazie mille Leo! I must admit it is only after after my second light with the new GSO RC8 that I'm now more comfortable with my decision to upgrade!



Thanks Rusty. As for my problems from my first light, I fixed them by choosing a different target - yes that's right I went the "flight" path of "fight or flight"! The Horsehead is one of those targets where I need to know exactly how my rig works - filters, camera, etc. , and until then I'll keep away from bright star infected targets!

Cheers,
Mario