Simmo's first test of the ASI1600MM COOL

[SimmoW]

Hi folks, just a quick ASI1600 camera update from me. Last night in Melbourne we had the first 'mainly clear' night for many weeks. Coincidentally that night I received the very last adapter to mount the image train to the 'scope.

Thankfully I found sharp focus very easily. Rather relieved, as with all the attachments like filter wheel and OAG, the backfocus was a challenge to keep within limits. All good, yay!

This is a stack of 13 shots of 20 seconds (!!) each, taken on my Tak E-130D f3.3 'scope. Just luminance. Gain at 100. Temp -15c.

Guiding was crap as I'm yet to work out how to accurately focus the new Lodestar guide cam, and mount alignment was shocking due to a few issues I worked out later. So don't pixel peep too much!

Now that focus is confirmed, I'll fill up the new filter wheel with its goodies and pray for good weather.

In my moderately dark location, pixinsight tells me that the optimum luminance exposure is...wait for it...90 seconds! Will be interested to see what the NB filters produce.

[glend]

Nice Simon, has that typically smooth ASI1600 look. You may find 90 seconds too long for LRGB.

[Atmos]

That's turned out really well Simon, good to hear that it's all working well together :)
Although it was clear last night the seeing wasn't crash hot, I could see twinkling all across the sky.

[SimmoW]

Yes you are right Colin, seeing was bad, when I was focusing in TSX I struggled to get FWHM down to 3.5, with huge fluctuations. But I could at least focus!

[Atmos]

For a test that's all that matters!

[RickS]

Good to see you get off your butt and capture a few photons, Simmo :lol:

[Camelopardalis]

+1...my first test shots from a dark site were 90 seconds at unity gain and in my assessment are overexposed :thumbsup:

Still, pretty impressive for a short stack of 20s shots :thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Well that is very impressive for 260 seconds of exposure. That camera must be very sensitive.

Greg.

[RickS]

A f/3.3 scope helps too!

[SimmoW]

Oi Rick, not my fault, blame the weather. Oh and late suppliers. And me stuffing around :lol:



Very nice to hear Dunk! busting to test the 3nm NB results :)



Ooh yes Rick, exactly why I decided to try the new cam, it seemed a perfect combo with the scope. It might be too high Rez for the new F4 10 incher that Alistair Sam is helping me build, but then the Sony A7s will be perfectly matched. Then again, with the 1000mm the new cam will produce lovely detailed images!

[Camelopardalis]

Yeah f/3.3 is crazy fast, that's a good f-stop and a half faster than my scope :D

[Slawomir]

Very pleasing result Simon, now I am looking forward to your next photo! :thumbsup:

[SimmoW]

Funny you should say that Suavi, I always say the same when I see yours :)

[Slawomir]

I know it has been quite a while since I presented anything on IIS, but mount has been recently returned from servicing and I started working on a new project...finally!