Mikes new scope finally arrives

[strongmanmike]

Just Arrived today!

Been sitting at Sydney airport since Boxing Day (26 Dec) though :(

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/asa_n12

Can't wait for the new camera now..not too far away.

Those going to IISAC can see this setup first hand :)

Mike

[jase]

Great stuff Mike. Looking forward to seeing what you can do with this scope/set up.

:thumbsup:

[RB]

Awesome Mike, can't wait to see it and see what you can produce with it.

Congrats.

:thumbsup:

[Astroman]

Now thats a nice looking scope Mike, well done on the purchse, was sure worth the wait.

[Harb]

now all you need is to get rid of that pesky refractor........
you could send it to me and I will dispose of it for you ;)

cheers
John

PS nice scope.........can hardly wait for the images!

[Striker]

Throw in the tube rings and I will buy it off you for $1500....lol

Looking forward to some deep images Mike.

[Dennis]

That's one serious piece of equipment, and even more serious set up. :eyepop: Reminds me of one of those US military tracking platforms that take high speed movies of rocket launches...;)

Looks a terrific set up Mike, congratulations, almost there now!

Cheers

Dennis

[Striker]

Mike,

It looks like the mount is over loaded.

Get rid of of the scope send it to me...I will pm you my address details...hehehe

[Rodstar]

That looks like one serious imaging set-up, Mike. I hope you get some decent weather in the nation's capital in the coming months so you can get some good imaging done.

I bet the stars come to a beautifully tight airy disk on visual work!?

[strongmanmike]

Ya know how often I've been asked that John?? :lol:

The AP152EDF may be put aside for a bit while the new scope gets some attention. The AP is a fine optical instrument with the same FL as the ASA N12 and I have the 4" field flattener for it even so the corrected FOV is probably even larger than the ASA's but the advantages the ASA N12 will have over the AP is a 4X faster photographic speed (F7.5 to F3.8), better thermal stability for focus (carbon fiber tube) and better blue correction (it's a reflector), the apperture may help a bit too?

I guess that's a few things but not that major...hmm?..am I a perfectionist :shrug:

Mike :)

[acropolite]

Nice....:thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Hi Rod

While the optics in my N12 are indeed excellent (Strehl of 0.99 and RMS of 1/60th wave) it is a fast astrograph so it has a large central obstruction (40%) so for visual work the design could be better. Having said that for all but the most descriminating planetary viewing I am sure the views will still be very good and with a coma corrector in place like a Paracorr the wide field low power Nagler views should be exquisit. :)

Mike

[h0ughy]

lucky we have a few power stations around the hunter to power that beastie

[strongmanmike]

Hey Houghy, know anyone I could borrow a visual coma corrector off for some visual views through my new scope at Lostock?

Mike

[h0ughy]

NNnooooo:whistle:

[strongmanmike]

Nah not your big beautiful GEG ;) I would need a parracorr or similar that just slips in the focuser I think?

Mike

[Phil]

If you dont mind me asking what is the price of that scope.
Thanks
Phil

[avandonk]

Mike first off congratulations on a fine choice and I know you will make it perform. Mark me if I am wrong but you won't need a Parracor for visual your field is already flat 50mm diameter if my memory is correct. If anything you will need an extension tube on the focuser to access the image plane. It is a superbly designed astrograph that does it all. Large aperture (12") , no CA (mirrors+correctors), fast F3.8 and thermally stable.

I can't wait to see what you capture with it.

Again congratulations

Bert

[strongmanmike]

The problem is while the scope is a superb astrograph the Keller Wynn corrector is designed to be hard attached via screws to a filterwheel and has a set back focus ie no eyepiece adapter etc. The corrector does simply slips out of the 3" focuser though and a 2" adapter slides in to take 2" eyepieces, barlows or coma correctors etc.

I imagine an adapter could be constructed to allow eyepieces to be held in front of the Keller corrector but that is out of my manufacturing capabilities at this stage I'm affraid.

I will try it out visually with the Keller corrector removed and see if I will need another smaller coma corrector or not.

Cheers mate
Mike

[bird]

Congrats Mike. I see a hint of a triangular centre spot on the primary - was that pre-installed, or did you add a Jim Fly centre spot?

cheers, Bird

[matt]

What a crackin' lookin' scope!!!:eyepop:

Won't be long before that beasty starts churning out the photographic goods.

I hope it's everything you've hoped for, Mike.

It certainly looks it.

All the best:thumbsup:

[avandonk]

Thanks for the explanation. I don't know anything more than I read from the specs.
With this speed (F3.8) and aperture (12") I suppose you will be doing narrow band as well as the usual?

Bert

[strongmanmike]

Hi Bird

It was already there from ASA but I have ordered my CatsEYE to match! :)

Mike

[strongmanmike]

Hi Phil

Currently and by just converting the US$ amount at the ASA web site it would cost you around AU$13000 for the base OTA landed at your door via 3 day DHL delivery and including GST. If you are actually interested though, contact Gerald Rhemann at Astro Systeme Austria and ask him what he can do for StrongmanMikes friend :thumbsup:

So that's half the cost of an RCOS that are all the rage at the moment when one wants to get serious :lol:

The flight case, ASA scope rings, camera adapter (custom made for your type of camera) and RoboFocus are all extras.

Hope that helps

Mike

[strongmanmike]

Hi Matt

See? this is what I needed you to buy my 12" LX200GPS for :lol:

It took a while and so far it's certainly a wonderful show piece, lets hope it performs and I can do it justice :help:

Mike

[Harb]

Now theres an understanding wife.............he has a nice new telescope, with all the trimmings, but the kitchen still has no walls or roof !!! :lol:

I will file this picture for future reference for my wife.......she just gets it to good :rofl:

cheers
John

[strongmanmike]

Nah, nah, nah, John that's my outdoor imaging fridge you poor oppressed husband you! She's got a fridge of her own inside! :lol:

Ahhh a cold one on hand in the fridge at night...just the best! :D

Mike

[Harb]

Ahhh I see...................CCD Cold-Can-Dispenser

Got it ;)

[sejanus]

13k!!!! :scared:

beautiful looking bit of gear though!!!

[Ric]

Congrats Mike, I am sure that you will do it justice.
I am eagerly awaiting your first images.

Cheers

[iceman]

Congrats Mike, glad it finally arrived for you - and just in time for IISAC! Can't wait to see it in the flesh and get some eyeball views through it.

The images will be marvellous too - can't wait for you to get a CCD on the end of that.

[strongmanmike]

Actually the wife coined a good one "Costly Camera Divorce" :lol:

I thought it was quite funny :) ...she's such a dear

Mike

[spacezebra]

Looks very cool - looking forward to seeing your work with one Mike.

Cheers Petra

[ving]

man she is understanding... :)

great looking peice of scope there :)

[Shawn]

Mike Shes a beauty, the scopes allright as well, Good stuff Mike, happy new year.

S

[GTB_an_Owl]

Mike - i think you should get your wife to invite H0uhgy's wife over for a week or two's holiday
;) :D :lol: :lol:

[tornado33]

Gee nice system. Since that will be at Lostock wonder how a modded 350D will go on it lol :)
Being nice and fast might be the ideal system to catch that new Comet Mc Naught. set it up in a spot so it has a good view of Sunset :)
Scott