Testing New 10” f5 Klaus Helmerich Carbon Fibre Newt

[Startrek]

Finally got to test focus , collimation , coma and general performance of my new 10” f5 KH Carbon fibre newt last night in Sydney.
I used my existing EQ6-R mount which just handled this big OTA ( I think in wind forget it ) The new 10” newt is going down south to my Dome on a bigger mount , the EQ8-R pro when it finally arrives.
Still haven’t set up guiding or the electronic focuser yet so just took some short unguided exposures on M8 Lagoon to test all of the above

Pretty happy with the results with this first test under Bortle 7/8 skies, although framing wasn’t that good


19 x 40 sec unguided subs
No calibration frames
ZWOASI2600MC cooled to -10C , Gain 100 LRN
L Extreme filter ( want to test focus with and without filters )
Stacked in DSS
Processed in Startools V1.7 Compose OSC Bi Colour NB

Bi colour NB version in SHO matrix
Synthetic Luminance version


Comments Welcome
Thanks

[matlud]

Congratulations Martin, that is looking great for a first light. Did you have a long wait for the carbon tube?
Cheers, Mat

[pkinchington]

Nice Image!

[Startrek]

Thanks Mat
I ordered the KH tube only through Sidereal and took about 3 months
I fitted my own GSO gear into it, worked out quite well (only has to enlarge a few holes for the finder shoe )
Nice exterior finish and inside is black as char
Cheers
Martin

[Startrek]

Thanks Kanga !

[Shiraz]

got to be pleased with that Martin. everything looks pretty well spot on.

yep, a 12 inch Newt is a handful on an EQ6 for DSO. OK setup for planetary though...is that in your plans?

[Startrek]

Thanks very much Ray
Appreciate it
I was surprised how much detail I resolved with just 13mins of capture and no calibration either ( I real light bucket )
Very pleased
My plan is described in my post ( not to be rude )
Oh and it’s a 10” OTA not a 12”
I will be imaging both DSO and Planetary ( mostly DSO )
I currently use 6” newt ( Sydney) and 8” newt ( South Coast NSW my retirement getaway)
10” is as big as I’m going to use ( my NexDome can’t fit anything bigger )

Cheers
Martin

[Shiraz]

despite the fact that I managed to screw that up completely, your scope still looks like it works really well. Cheers Ray

[Stephane]

Martin, congratulations on receiving your new light bucket. The image looks really sharp for just 13 minutes. You must be very pleased. Once in your dome on top of the EQ8-R, you will be able to push this thing to its limit. I look forward to seeing the images you can produce.

Clear skies,
Stéphane

[PKay]

Looking good M!

[Dave882]

Looking very promising Martin! Can’t wait to see some completed images when you get it all set up

[Startrek]

Thanks Stephane,
Yes so far this newt shows real promise, just have to wait for the mount now ( and of course I’m expecting a few hiccups with it as well )
This new rig will be it , maybe some Mono gear next year ?
I promised the Minister of Finance a few OS trips in our retirement
Cheers
Martin

[Startrek]

Thanks Dave
These Carbon fibre tubes are so bloody light but really rigid and strong. I’m setting up a guide scope to start with as I’m sure it will work out ok ( I had all the gear anyway ) OAG as a last resort . I’m not concerned about saving weight
The EQ8-R pro is 50kg rated and my new rig will be around 18kg. Mount is due in 2 weeks.

Cheers
Martin

[Startrek]

Thanks Pete
Happy Chappy with new toy
Paul has had some good nights down there over the past few weeks, did you get out at all ? I’m stuck in Sydney until late June , then hope to get down and set up the new mount and scope in the Dome.

Cheers
M.

[Bassnut]

Thats good Martin, but there is serious vignetting. Why no calibration?. You need flats, what were you thinking?.

[Startrek]

Thanks Fred,
Yep I know, Sydney is not where this newt will be used , it’s only a temporary image to check the obvious
All I wanted to do was test was focus , collimation , coma and light grab etc.. before I ship the newt down south to my Dome
I still have to set up guiding , auto focus and buy a flats panel etc…..
It’s now packed away in its box ready to shove in my wagon

The image was just a quicky to check the above and it passed !!

Thanks for pointing that out though

Cheers
Martin

[Karlz]

not bad, now it's time to upgrade the programs you use.

[Startrek]

Thanks
This image was just a quickie to quantify collimation, focus and coma etc….before I transported the rig down the coast to my Dome

I did post my first light a few weeks ago NGC 6744 Pavo Galaxy

Anything wrong with my programs ?