Rosette AP 130 first light

[Rigel003]

Here's the first light image from a new-to-me AP 130EDF GT. Ha only so far from my backyard. With the AP reducer it has an efl of 615mm and is pretty fast at f/4.7. With the flattener about 860mm, so should be a versatile imaging scope.

Astro-Physics 130 EDF GT with AP reducer f/4.7
AP 900GTO mount
FLI Microline 8300 CCD camera
Baader 7nm Ha filter 8 x 15 mins
Processed in CCDStack & Photoshop

Larger image here (http://www.pbase.com/rigel003/image/148642255/original)
...and you can see the setup here (http://www.pbase.com/rigel003/image/148373904/original)
I was guiding with the 10 x 60 finder.

[gregbradley]

Very nice, slightly oversharpened damaging the stars a tad but you got a lot of detail. Nice setup by the way.

Greg.

[Peter.M]

Great image Graeme, I am glad you have the wheel working again. Unless this was taken without it, I guess a wheel isn't needed for HA. Would love to see it turned into a full narrow band image!

[Rigel003]

Thanks Greg and Peter. Yes, Peter, the filter wheel is back in action after a little trip to the US for repairs. I've installed a set of narrowband filters in it so hope to try this soon. I'll probably be asking you for processing tips.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Wow!

Your rig works well, can't wait to see colour versions Graeme.

Cheers,

Justin.

[dvj]

This is the beginning of an image of great potential. While I don't see the oversharpening that Greg mentions, the stars look a little elliptical on one side. Just an observation. The processing is excellent - very HDR which is something I like in an Ha image.

Great set up too.

jg

[multiweb]

Great contrats and details in the high-res. Well done! :thumbsup:

[Larryp]

Beautiful, Graeme! You can't beat an Astro-Physics refractor!:thumbsup:

[RickS]

Very nice detail in the dusty bits, Graeme!

[MrB]

Very nice Greame, but I have to admit I spent more time looking at the equipment pic and drooling :lol:

[strongmanmike]

Pure Sex on a tripod that..and with the FLI gear attached..well?.. the photo becomes a veritable orgy :wink2:

Great start image

Mike

[gregbradley]

Now THAT is a setup!

Gorgeous.

What type of finder scope is that?

I looked at the image again. Actually I agree with John the stars aren't oversharpened. Those few elliptical stars in the bottom left
and a bit at the top right. That might be either spacing for the reducer slightly off, a bit of tilt or corrected circle not large enough for the chip (unlikely - AP gear tends to have large corrected circles) so slightly off spacing is the likely culprit. I have the 155 TCC and its very sensitive to spacing - +/- 1mm.
Greg.

[Kunama]

Beautiful image Graeme. A very nice imaging setup you have there.
I guess you won't miss the Tak TSA too much. (I will take good care of it )
I love the look of the Baader Vario Finder with the AP scope, a perfect match.

[allan gould]

Drooool

[DJT]

Wow, not only is it shiny but its a veritable light bucket. Great image

[Rigel003]

Thanks for the comments everyone. Hopefully I can post some more images before too long.

[Rigel003]

:lol: If I ever resell I'll have to remember this sales pitch, Mike.

[Rigel003]

I can see this too John. I think it might have been a guiding issue.

[Rigel003]

Greg, it's the Baader 10x60 Vario-Finder that Astro-Physics now sell as a finder/guidescope. I've decided to try this path for guiding. Optics are ok with a Zeiss lens. It does look elegant on the tube but has some deficiencies as a guider. It has a pull out focussing tube for coarse focussing that is fiddly and fastened only with a single small screw - not very robust. Astro-Physics say they are working on new accessories to make it more efficient as a guider, starting shortly with a support bracket that holds the focuser as well as the tube.

[Rigel003]

I don't think there's much in it optically between the two, Matt. I'm sure you'll enjoy the Tak. I hope it gives you a lot of good times under the stars. I think the AP has an edge on mechanics, a tiny bit more aperture and is faster as a photographic platform.

[Ross G]

Amazing detail Graeme.

Ross.