NGC2997 From North Curl Curl

[PRejto]

This is "first light" for some new gear that still has a ways to go. It's more a proof of concept than any finished result! The idea is that I can capture in a shorter time if I image simultaneously with my 2 scopes, a TEC180 & TEC140. I've got the Moravian G2-8300 with an ONAG on the TEC180 and a Trius H694 on the TEC140.

At the moment I have no way to centre objects in both scopes but I have an Optec Libre on order for the TEC140. I also have no electronic focuser for the TEC focuser on the TEC180 though one is promised "soon" from Starizona. Consequently I think focus is a bit soft on the TEC180.

I had to crop a lot of the field out due to non-centering of the galaxy and some issues between the two nights I captured. I also experimented with different guiding and exposure lengths. What you see is all of this put together.

Luminance = 24 x 5 min using 80 mm guide scope
+ 12 x 8 min using ONAG + Astronomic CLS LP Filter
Moravian G2-8300 on TEC180 @ .88 arc-sec

RGB = 13 x 5 min each channel
Baader filters/Trius H694 (TEC140) @ .96 arc-sec
CCDStack & Photoshop

http://www.pbase.com/image/155539657

[alpal]

Hi Peter,
That looks very good to me.
Seems that combining 2 scopes is very worthwhile.

cheers
Allan

[strongmanmike]

Yep! told ya it'd work Pete ;)...once honed you will have a formidable system that will make image acquisition rather efficient - in the end who reeeally wants to have to do 30+hr images over a dozen nights or more all the time, even with automation? :shrug: :)...I know I don't..I'm in the middle of one at the moment and I am already getting impatient :scared:

You must be quite happy with how your gear is coming together :thumbsup:

ED: Just had another look at your setup...pwaaaar! :evil2:

Mike

[PRejto]

Thanks Allan and Mike!

Yes, while I've had a lot of adjustment issues and many dramas during these first two nights imaging (like the TEC focuser** just unwinding due to the camera weight after spending a long time focusing(!) and driver issues with TSX and the Moravian camera, I am surprised that I could get a half way decent result with such variable data. I'm excited by the potential of this gear. One thing that is working far better is the ONAG guider with the TEC180. It was really an iffy proposition with the TEC140. I suspect there just wasn't enough light in IR coming through the smaller lens which forced guiding exposures to be too long. I'm really looking forward to receiving the Libre and being able to easily centre objects in both scopes!

Edit: Forgot to mention that so far I'm seeing pretty good results guiding on one scope (the TEC180). There seems to be little flexure showing in images from the TEC140 which is a relief. Hopefully adding the Libre to the equation does not introduce any flexure!

**not the TEC focuser's fault. Let's just say that "some person", not me, took the focuser apart to measure it for a motor without understanding how it is adjusted or meant to operate and then returned it to me in a mis-adjusted state.

[RickS]

An very interesting experiment, Peter. I watch with interest :thumbsup:

[LewisM]

Going to be doing the same thing - FSQ106 and ED80 side by side, or on 2 separate mounts.

[gregbradley]

Very nice Pete.

If the TEC focuser is the same as my TEC110 you have to tighten the little golden coloured end cap of the microfocuser to adjust the tension of the focuser.

Greg.

[multiweb]

Beautiful details indeed. :thumbsup:

[PRejto]

Yes, it's the same design though I don't know if it's the same size. Anyway, that is a very clever design and very simple to operate. I'm only sorry I didn't understand how to do this the night I was imaging!!

Thanks for your input and help as always.

Peter

[PRejto]

Thanks Ricks, Marc and Lewis for your comments! Much appreciated.

Peter

[Harel_Boren]

This is a very, very nice result!
... and the two scope combo seems to be working perfect!
Cheers,
Harel

[PRejto]

Thanks Harel,

I had a look around at your very nice images and equipment. Your comment means a lot. Thanks for looking!

Peter