Deep sky first light for the VC200L is...M8

[rmuhlack]

My first opportunity for "deep sky first light" with this newly acquired modified VC200L. Also 'first light' for my new guiding setup, which uses a 500mm f8 Rubinar mirror lens as a guide scope for a QHY5 using a Geoptik adapter.

Robofocus with Bahtinov Grabber also works a treat - very cool to be able to not only quantify the focus error but then to repeatably move the focus with such fine precision.

This image is a stack of 17 x 5min dithered and calibrated subs using the 0.71x focal reducer to give a focal length of 1278mm f6.4.
With my 400D that gives an image scale of 0.92 arcsecs per pixel, riding on top of a NEQ6 using periodic error correction.

Captured this morning in the brief window between moon set and the beginning of astronomical twilight. This is just a quick process with PixInsight. Framing could probably be better but I was under the pump to get at least some subs out before it got light.

Pretty happy I have to say. Have also included a centre (pic 2) and corner crop (pic 3). Field correction is so much better than what I had seen previously with the newtonian. I reckon there's a lot of potential here :cheers:

Larger version here: http://www.astrobin.com/36974/

[rmuhlack]

The guiding setup

[Regulus]

U have to be happy with those for a first time out Richard. The future looks bright.
They seem to be an excellent scope, it's a great photo..

Trevor

[multiweb]

M8... there is no substitute. :thumbsup:

[Larryp]

Nice image, Richard! Looks like a good scope:)

[Dennis]

Nice work Richard, you’ve got that rig humming along. The diffraction spikes from the thickish VC200L spider vanes look quite pleasing.

The link to the full size image is awesome!

Cheers

Dennis

[David Fitz-Henr]

Great image Richard, especially for first light! Well done.

[LewisM]

FANTASTIC image Richard! I always said "Once you go VC200L, you can never forget them" - and I couldn't, hence re-acquiring one!!!

And those obviously thinned vanes work a TREAT!!! Got to find someone to do mine.

Congrats on a great setup and great image.

[rmuhlack]

Thanks for the encouraging feedback everyone :) This new setup certainly is a pleasure to use.

One aspect that I am particularly impressed with is the improvement I'm seeing from dithering between exposures - it seems to have really helped reduce the noise in the final image, especially given i'm using an uncooled DSLR. Bulb exposures on the 400D cannot be triggered via USB, so in the past I had to use a separate battery powered intervalometer that did not support dithering. However as part of this scope upgrade I also sourced a Shoestring DSUSB shutter control, which is compatible with Backyard EOS and PHD guiding. So I can definitely recommend this setup to anyone out there using an older Canon DSLR. :cheers:

[rmuhlack]

I was able to collect some additional data this morning - if anyone is interested and would like to have a look I have uploaded a new version to Astrobin: http://www.astrobin.com/full/36974/B/

[RickS]

Great work, Richard!