Dragons of Ara with ‘guide-scope’

[Toddylamo]

Many people use the Sky-watcher 72ED as a guide scope. From a marketing perspective, the refractor doesn’t tick many of the boxes - it’s only a doublet, it’s not from a flashy brand, and it isn’t FPL-53.

In practice, the scope still allows for nice wide field images, and with a flattener it produces nice sharp stars.

Enjoy this false colour image from my setup, full res can be found on my astrobin here:
https://astrob.in/khrmf1/0/

[AstroViking]

Hi Harry,

Looks great!

I've kind of kept away from the dragons because I always thought my SW72ED was too small / not enough focal length. Obviously not!!

Do you mind sharing how many subs you took? I wouldn't mind trying my hand at this one for once. (When the skies clear and I can see the stars again...)

Cheers,
V

[Toddylamo]

Hi Steve,

The full info is in the astrobin link, but I took 230 x 3 minute subs. I used a ASI071MC and, perhaps most importantly, the Antilla ALP-T filter which is a 5nm dual band filter - helps with the stars.

[AstroViking]

Thanks for that. I'll remember to hit the AstroBin links from here on... :doh:

I don't have an astro-cam, just a DSLR. So the dragons might have to wait a bit longer.

[petershah]

what a great shot....one day I will get to visit the South and image it for myself

[Toddylamo]

Thanks Peter, and likewise I’d like to visit the north to photograph the great stuff you have up there too! Heart and soul, cats eye, M81 & M82…

[Stephane]

Harry, a very fine image with great detail. I particularly like how you have processed the “egg” and brought out the bubble. Great job!