First experiences with the iOptron Skytracker, first guided images

[andyc]

So, after months of procrastination (wasn't sure where to go with astrophotography), I went and bought the iOptron Skytracker a couple of weeks ago from the friendly folks at Bintel. I fancied getting into the moderately wide-field imaging, wasn't sure which way to go, but went for this. The Skytracker is a very impressive piece of kit! Polar alignment was straightforward, even from a relatively light-polluted southern suburb of Sydney.

First single images are posted below - Canon EOS 60D, with 55-250mm zoom lens, processed in Digital Photo Professional and Photoshop.

Eta Carinae: 90s, ISO3200 at 250mm, f/5.6. Very pleased with the tracking possible at this focal length. Still some trailing in this image at this f.l. and exposure time, but I think I can improve on this!

Crux & Coalsack: 180s, ISO1600 at 55mm, f/5.6. Probably pushing it with a 3 minute sub in light-pollution, but definitely promising for the future. Some indications of the Running Chicken Neb, and decent definition of the clusters.

I'm well excited about getting this set-up to a dark site! Super-portable, seemed pretty stable, and definitely capable of some high standard images with practice.

[RocketMan66]

Great job Andy!
I purchased a Skytracker just last week and gave it a whirl on Monday night (after a week of cloudy nights!). I struggled with finding the SCP. I know roughly where it is, but could not find it through the light pollution.

Do you have any additional tips for finding it and aligning the Skytracker?
Should the SCP be visible with the naked eye in suburban Sydney?

Cheers
Neil

[traveller]

Well done Andy,
I am getting in my sky tracker too. I had a couple of tries over Christmas in the bush.
Neil, iOptron has an app (search iOptron Polar Scope in the app store), this shows the position of Sigma Octanis based on the GPS and time coordinates (or Polaris in NH). Too light polluted in the city, but worth having if you visit a dark site.
Cheers
Bo

[Saturn%5]

Hi Andy
Nice job looking at getting one of these myself, I got a 600d for xmas but still learning hope i can get shots like that :thumbsup:

Graeme.

[RocketMan66]

Hi Bo,
I used the app to place what I thought was the SCP in the polar scope, but I was only guessing the SCP was the star I was lining up.
Thanks for the feedback on light pollution, it looks like I'll need to get out of town to get alignment.

[andyc]

Hi all, thanks for the comments!

Neil, I'd mainly follow what Bo said, good advice. I downloaded the PolarFinder app for Android, and it's great to go with the Skytracker.

It's the first time I've done polar alignment properly, and being originally a northern guy, finding Sigma Octantis was hard! If anyone has good tips, then I'm all ears. But it is clearly visible in the polar scope from my suburbs (I can barely make out a smudge of LMC on a good night). I levelled the mount and roughly pointed it, then the trick is finding the asterism of four stars near the pole including sigma, then home in on the little straight line of three of which sigma is the brightest. Stellarium in red light mode can help with the expected orientation of the asterisms.

It seemed to me that the accurate positioning on the alignment rings does matter quite a lot. Also, there is a little rotational 'play' when the polar scope is locked in place. That'll make it harder to get ideal alignment, and will obviously matter more for longer focal length shots. I need a good night and time with it to see how important it is.

Any other tips or suggestions with alignment etc are most welcome!

[GarP]

I bought myself one and took it out for a run to West Barwon Dam last New Moon. Sony A77, Samyang 16mm f/2.0, Milky Way and Large and Small Magellenic Clouds. 1st March I'm heading out to get a few on my Minolta 100-300 APO. Fingers crossed for no clouds!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/104199644@N02/12586230555/

[TheoP]

Refer to the attached SCP finder chart. It works well for me on my SkyTracker.

I also use a green laser to align the StarTracker. See the detail on my blog:

http://starsinphotos.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/ioptron-skytracker-mount-and-polar-alignment/ (http://starsinphotos.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/ioptron-skytracker-mount-and-polar-alignment/)

[andyc]

Hi Theo, that's a very handy chart indeed for zoning right into the SCP. And a really impressive image of Eta Carine too - I'd aspire to a shot of that sort of quality.

GarP, good luck! I'm currently in a cloudy Sydney, waiting for both clear skies and a chance to get out to the country...