Meat hook test image from RC12 Remote

[Paul Haese]

I am still finalising the commissioning of the RC12 in the remote dome. Last night I took some data of the Meat Hook galaxy (NGC2442). Collimation is a little out but only about 3.5 arc seconds, guiding was ok. I did not do enough focusing with focusmax, once an hour and that resulted in some subs being soft.

This image is Luminance 70 minutes with 10 minute subs. Stars are round at both 5 minutes and 10 minutes. I am thinking that I will need to go to 15 minutes or 20 minutes to undertake imaging with this object.

Despite the focus softness the detail is still present and for only 7 subs the noise is reasonable.

Both images are crops. I have not done flats, darks or biases. Though I will be starting to collect those very soon. Flats will be done at dusk and dawn in future.

[gregbradley]

That's quite good Paul. You must be encouraged with that.

Is this the truss version of the scope? I see they are 20% off at Opt
at the moment. What are you using for a focuser? An Atlas?

Greg.

[Paul Haese]

No this is with the ali tube still. The truss is waiting to be shipped. The focusor is an Atlas. 3" rotator and STXL11002 camera. Taken at -30C.

Reasonably encouraged. I need to see a dramatic improvement in the guiding in RA which is all over the shop like a mad woman's custard. Dec was pretty flat last night. Seeing looked ok but came up in CCDinsp as being 2.5" Not surprised though with the weather we have had here of late.

[allan gould]

Paul, I think that your image is excellent with so many small galaxies in the background. Sometimes I think you are a little hard on yourself aiming for perfection but your almost there. A nice image with only 70 min data.
Keep the good things coming.
Allan

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Allan. I do have very high standards for myself, that sometimes leads to disappointment but also is good for pushing what I can do and how far I know I have to go.

I particularly like the larger field of this image. I really like the surrounding smaller galaxies and the potential for a really nice looking image.

[gregbradley]

The Aluminium tube, ah yes, hence the need for regular focusing. The carbon fibre one should be much more stable in this regards.

Greg.

[multiweb]

Looks very promising. Nice details and the fov looks good too.

[strongmanmike]

Looking good Paul...I'd say about another 28hours and you will be there :P

Must be pretty cool remoting with two systems :eyepop:

Mike

[Paul Haese]

Yep 28 is more likely going to be right. :lol: Easy when I can sleep while it images and don't have to be there.

I can sit at home now and just fire things up and imaging commences. This system is not quite at full remote yet but I am closing out the bugs one by one. Data collection is the name of the game here.

[strongmanmike]

What are those again...? :question: :P

[Paul Haese]

Things you ought to be doing.:P

[strongmanmike]

Yeah, you'd think so huh?...but I really don't need to, makes processing a cinch :D

[Rigel003]

Looks promising, Paul. Nice image scale.

[astronobob]

I'm glad I don't do this level of imaging, Pheewwee :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[SimmoW]

I like the wider field image too. Damn good images in pretty brief times. So yeah, don't be so hard on yourself.

[David Fitz-Henr]

That's looking very promising Paul :thumbsup: You should be happy with that for some early results for the RC12. An interesting galaxy too, I'm in the process of collecting data on this as well.

[alpal]

With 5 other bright galaxies in the photo this will be a great picture.

[RickS]

Looks great, Paul. Looking forward to more!

[graham.hobart]

That's a grand start alright. Congratulations Paul!
Cheers
Graham