Saturn May 2nd repro.

[U.K.Cowboy]

Seeing as the weather is a complete mess had another play with an IR Colour image from the 2nd. Quite pleased with the result considering it was taken at 22 degrees.

QHY Colour & mono Cams + 5x powermate & Auto Dob.

[Matt Wastell]

That is a great image - especially for such a low alt. Colours are spot on too!

[EricB]

Great work Stuart, your Saturn images are getting better and better. Would this one be your best Saturn this season?

Eric

[U.K.Cowboy]

Cheers Matt!
Thanks Eric yes for this scale I would say its my best so far this year. Just purchased a 3x tv barlow so hoping for some clear weather before Saturn gets too small. Will be interesting to see how the 3x tv compares with the powermate. Also just fitted a 6" USB laptop fan to the primary so I can have it running during imaging something I've not done before.

[EricB]

Let us know how you go. I am looking at getting one too. The x5 Powermate is too powerful for my conditions here. The x3 barlow could be right.

Eric

[asimov]

Looks good to me Stuart. Regarding the 3X barlow. Should work out well for you I think. Don't forget, you can add in an extension to get anywhere in between F 3 & 5 :)

Regarding the fan - Think you'll find having it running during imaging to be an imaging sin ;) Cyclonic tube currents for one & vibration. You can get lucky sometimes to escape both but not in my experience..:shrug:

[U.K.Cowboy]

Thanks Eric I shall report back on the 3x tv for sure.

Oh man! John are you saying i've wasted my time converting this very expensive fan crushing the leds like a man possessed cutting it down to size with a hot Stanley knife and duct taping onto the scope with expectations of Damian Peach standard images only to have my imaging bubble burst by talk of cyclonic tube currents!?!? :sadeyes: Vibration was my main concern though it seems pretty smooth. Oh well we shall see lol

Yep I went for the 3x tv over the 2.5x powermate because of its extendible magnification and if/when I part with my DFK the 5x powermate will be sent with it.:thumbsup:

[asimov]

Sorry, didn't realize you had the 2.5X as well.

Yeah, I spent many fruitless hours with fans on Dobs/solid tube newts. The cyclonic effect in the full length tubed 12.5" Parks newt was something to behold - Totally destroyed any thoughts of imaging while it was running!

Mounting one without vibration was easy in the end; I used the 3 collimation screw heads in the cell to pick up on, using big rubber 'O' rings to attach the fan. I'm sure you get the picture: The fan suspended just behind the mirror cell on 3 rubber rings, yes? If all else fails, the concept works for cooling purposes..

[U.K.Cowboy]

I don't have the 2.5x John just the 5x. :) I shall keep the O ring method in mind thanks. The fan is not attached directly to the mirror cell. The scope being open truss may help with the turbulence?