Life and Liberty in mono

[Paul Haese]

I now have my STXL back from repairs and decided as a test run I would image NGC3576 again. In the interim I have washed the primary and reset the collimation again on the scope. I have been impressed by other renditions here taken with higher resolutions to the one I just did with the FSQ and thought it a good test to see if the collimation on the scope was ok or not. I think the collimation looks pretty good generally. I do really need to get a flattener for this scope, but balk at sending 3K+ on one from ASA.

This integration is only 3.5 hours and I will add a fully Hubble palette if I get time.

Click here (http://paulhaese.net/NGC3576RC12.html) for larger resolution.

Feel free to comment how you wish.

[alpal]

Nice image Paul,
It's an excellent scope -
yes the center stars are perfect while the ones in each corner
are slightly elongated.
I don't know if it's worth a flattener or not?

cheers
Allan

[Placidus]

Wow! The contrast and sharpness in this image are a pleasure to see.

You've encouraged us to clean our primary mirror (which is looking alarming. Perhaps that will help with our contrast too.

[gregbradley]

Yeah that's real nice Paul. Remarkable detail in the brighter areas of 3576.

Top of the image corners show a tad more elongation than the bottom so I'd say you need to pack out the bottom of your camera a tad (.2mm). A bit of brass shim should even it out.

Greg.

[Slawomir]

It is great that you got your camera back Paul. I admit I carefully compared your image to mine and I really like how your image is so sharp and stars are very tight.

Looking forward to the completed project Paul.

[Paul Haese]

Its just more for the sake of perfection than anything else. I have been advised about some software that will deal with the corners so I will give that a go.



I noted that my images were starting to suffer from what looked like progressive fogging over the course of a night. So one task was to eliminate all the possible causes of this occurrence. So far this seems like this was the problem.



This might well be the crop I used Greg. I have some shims but have found another issue looming where it looks like using the rotator is causing some tilt. I suspect something is not housed properly and will need a bit of a look in the coming weeks.



I did likewise Suavi prior to posting my image. I noted that your image was quite sharp at the time of viewing it and was curious as to whether my image was of the same sharpness.

[RickS]

Fantastic detail, Paul! Hope the camera stays home and continues to perform this time.

Cheers,
Rick.

[Geoff45]

Tack sharp Paul. The elongation in the corners looks pretty symmetric, so it doesn't look like collimation is an issue.
Geoff

[Peter Ward]

Hopefully the camera will now give you some dependable service ! :prey:

In any event, I like the fact that you got the "twister" in the bright cloud section. Should make a great image when done!

I'm not sure about the veracity of getting a flattener that is not designed for the scope. Both my AP & Alluna flatteners need to be with 1-2mm for optimum results...and I have difficulty seeing how the optical curves can match otherwise.

[Ryderscope]

A great image Paul. I think Ms Liberty is displayed very well in all her grandeur.

[multiweb]

Pinpoint stars and really sharp details. Very cool shot. :thumbsup:

[Andy01]

That's awesome resolution Paul, you've gotta be happy with that!

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys for your comments. For a test image I am pretty happy with sharpness and detail. I actually think the collimation is better this time around too.



Yes let's hope for some duration of service now. Data looks clean in any event, so far so good.

I quite agree about buying a flattener from another manufacturer is going to be fraught with danger and very experimental. The trouble with the flattener is that Jim Sheng does not seem to want to produce a flattener. If only I could get hold of a cheap RCOS flattener. That might actually be reasonably close to the mark. Got one laying around?

[Peter Ward]

Sorry no. ....Can get you an Alluna one...but somehow I think it will be the wrong optic at decidedly the wrong price. :)

[gregbradley]

Its highly likely a Tak flattener would fix it. Experimental but likely in my experience flatteners are relatively flexible.

Greg.