Don't test new kit at a dark site on a new moon!

[that_guy]

First time out at Leyburn. Fantastic night, with clear skies and even colder weather (lowest was 3 degrees according my car but might not be accurate). Shot all the way through until sun rise when M83 set. Had a great chat with the fellas there. My dog made some new friends. Overall, very enjoyable. Would recommend :thumbsup:

For some reason, I thought it'd be a good idea to try imaging with the C8 using a new reducer and new off axis guiding. So after about 2 hours of fiddling with the OAG and the spacing of the camera, I gave up and just started shooting, not wanting to lose any more of the night. What I have here are two VERY out of focus (I forgot my bahtinov mask!), coma ridden (spacing was all wrong!), out of collimation (haven't collimated in about 6 months!) and HEAVILY cropped (the OAG prism was interfering with a good chunk of the image).

M83
100x 2 min

Centaurus A
100x 2 min

C8 Evolution + f/6.3ish reducer
ASI1600MC Pro + ZWO OAG w/ ASI290MC

Not worth posting the astrobin link :P it looks better in low res.

[leon]

Well Tony with all that you said about the night and what happened the results are very nice indeed.
Maybe have a practice at home before venturing elsewhere, well done indeed.

Leon

[Peter Ward]

Also don't wash a new red polo shirt with white business shirts....

But, sure have some fun... but maybe next time...

.... you'll get the:
spacing,
focus
and colimination.... all correct?

(these are very cheap and useful tasks...just like the laundry, to get right ;) )

[strongmanmike]

Yes, heading out to a remote location with an untested rig is Thrillseekers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQFK7Fd2O6A)stuff :lol:

That said and even with the issues you mention, the results are not too bad and you seem to know what needs to be done for next time. Plus sounds like you had a great time under the stars...sometimes that is the best part anyway :thumbsup:

Mike

[Atmos]

Even with all those issues you've still gotten some pretty nice contrast in the dust lanes in NGC 5128 so that's promising :)

[that_guy]

Lesson learned ;) I've got the spacing down pretty good. OAG is now in focus with the main camera and not interfering with the imaging circle. Can't wait for the next outing to Leyburn!