NGC5139 First light

[DJT]

After getting a new adapter from Joshua Burns,:thumbsup: I finally connected everything up over the weekend and grabbed some Omega time to christen the AP130.

Only thing missing for this setup is the Boss Focuser system which is in a backlog of orders with Starlight so manual focussing for now.

AP130GTX
STT-83000
AP Mach1
Maxim DL and PI for processing

RGB 30 30 30

Not great but am going to put that down to manual focusing and dodgy seeing :D and slightly dubious processing skills.

Full size here
NGC5139 First Light - AP 130GTX (https://astrob.in/ubpjzx/B/)

Thanks for looking

[PKay]

Well done David.

Manual focusing is I think a must learn step, and you have done quite well.
In fact there are many that still insist on manual focusing.

Personally I like the automation of auto focus as the temperature drops.

Good effort :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Nice one

In nomine Patris et fillii et Spiritus Sancti :prey:

Happy christening David :P

Mike

[DJT]

Thanks Peter
I was really impressed with how little focus shifted over the course of the night with a 10 degree drop but still needs to be done.


Ta, trust me, fingers were crossed processing this as I am never quite sure on adapter lengths. AP though have plenty of good info so that helped and Joshua got it spot on. Loving the scope.

I do need to spend a bit more time processing as the background on this image is a shocker.:(

[multiweb]

Beautiful field David :thumbsup: Top gear. Enjoy.

[gregbradley]

Congrats on your new AP130GTX. I have the AP130GT and its a wonderful scope. I really quite like the 130mm aperture. Light, portable but super sharp and easy to use.

Yes, the background could be handled more with Gradient Xterminator or Pix Insight ABE or DBE tools or using the "apply image" Photoshop handling.

Is this with the flattener? The flattener and the quad TCC are both very worthwhile accessories. I would grab them as I noticed the flattener for some earlier models were no longer available and Roland did a special run so you can't assume these accessories will be available forever. Roland could also retire at any time and you don't know what effect that may have on these.

I also use manual focuser on mine at the moment as I need a different diameter part for my Starlight Express Posi drive focuser.

Greg.

[DJT]

Thanks Marc

Greg, it’s with the flattener. Will be putting the STL11000 on it next but of course, it’s going to rain for a bit longer by the looks of things

I looked at the quad but I will get pretty much the same result with the FSQ106 I think. If I move the FSQ on then I would probably get it.

David