Comet 2007 E2 (Lovejoy) Saturday Morning.

[Astroman]

Taken from Snake Valley in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Berts Modified ED80, stacked in deepskystacker.

[iceman]

Great image Andrew! Well done!

What's the curved dark lane to the left?

What's Bert's modified ED80?

[Astroman]

The dark curve is a power line, couldn't move it :P

Berts Modified ED80 is exactly that, an ED80 modified by Bert, it has a widerfield of view so shorter focal length, for Astrophotography.

[Ric]

Great image Andrew, love that green colour.

Cheers

[avandonk]

Mike it was an 80ED that had a shortened tube to take an AstroPhysics 2.7 inch focuser with an AP focal reducer that I bought just for the AP focuser andFR. I have now put these on the 100ED that I cut the tube off to get the correct length.
I replaced the focuser on the 80ED with a ScopeStuff Crayford focuser. It needs a 2" tube extender to get focus without a FR. But it is handy for focal reducer experiments as a FR needs IN focus.
My aim was to design an 80mm F5 APO astrograph with a flat field for C size sensors that anyone could afford. It does work. I have lent the modded 80ED to Andrew. I am putting together a FR as we speak as the experimental one was not suitable for prolonged use (too flimsy). I will send it to Andrew to see how it performs.

Bert

[Astroman]

ahhh that explains it better, had my explanation wrong, thanks for clearing that up Bert. The scope works great.

[John K]

That's a great image that feels like we are looking a long way away into the Solar System. Great to have another comet discovered by an Aussie, lets hope it brightens even more.

[avandonk]

I would also like to add that Andrew only received the scope last friday and he produces a great images of Comet Lovejoy on Saturday morning. I am very envious as all I can get is images of cloud at the moment.
Were the comet images taken with the FR Andrew?
If they were then the 80ED with FR was 344mm focal length at f/4.3 !

Bert

[gbeal]

Is that the AP 67CCD reducer Bert? I have one, and used it for a while in the FC100, but am wondering about using it with the ED80/840 Zeiss. I also wondered about using it with a newly finished 8" f5 newt, but the coma is severe enough at f5 so may go to Plan B instead? Haven't worked what Plan B is yet tho.
Gary

[Astroman]

Yes Bert, that was with the Focal reducer, I didnt get a chance to try it without it. Like you, we got clouded out. I think I cropped the images too to remove the coma.

[h0ughy]

Top stuff Andrew, wonderful. What a green blob it is too!

[avandonk]

Gary it is this one
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=&pid=5598&m=5
It screws into the AP 2.7" focuser.
For a Newtonian an MPPC is the way to go.
I think you have to go to specially designed expensive FR's for Newts for wide flat fields.
Any decent doublet will work as a FR with an APO. It is just a matter of working out optimum distances for placement.
To keep the thread relevant. That is great Andrew that you got Comet Lovejoy centered. Did you realize you had a 344mm at F4.3?
The 'new' FR should give about F5 at 400mm focal length.

Bert

[RB]

Excellent Andrew, great work and thanks for sharing.

:thumbsup:

[Astroman]

I had no idea of that, Bert, that certainly will do some nice fields.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

[spaceman101]

That is a really good shot mate, nice discovery:thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

Very good, thanks for posting.
You wouldn't mistake it for a star, being so green.

[erick]

Is it a distinct green colour visually?

[Astroman]

yep it is Erick, although the camera shows it up better.