Running in the new 'scope...

[Peter Ward]

A recent ISS submission from across the pond, frankly did made me think
"why do I bother?" :shrug:

None the less an explanation of the recent poor weather is in order.

My new Taka FSQ106 EDXIV...after a rather long delivery saga....finally arrived.

Hardly a newly discovered SN shell....but...a nice 4k rendition of an
'oft imaged subject seemed like a good starter.

(for the pixel peepers: lower left not dialed in yet...but close)

First light here (http://www.atscope.com.au/BRO/gallery606.html)

[John W]

Terrific image with lots of clear detail Peter - Which mount are you using? Regards John W.

[Peter Ward]

PMEII. Perhaps overkill for a FSQ? :lol:

[Joshua Bunn]

Thats real nice, black and white suits it!

[Ryderscope]

Congratulations on first light with a new toy Peter. I image that the FSQ looks rather lonely on top of the PMEII :)

[Peter Ward]

It would but it's bolted to the side of of my RC16....it looks more
like a finder scope there



Ta Josh. Not another Eta :rolleyes: I know. :). but I tend to use standard candles
to better compare new instruments. i.e apples with apples

[multiweb]

Superb field Peter. On with the program. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

Lovely image Peter plenty of detail for so little data, :)

[Startrek]

Congrats on your first light
High quality precision equipment operated by a highly experienced competent astrophotographer equals a beautifully processed image of an extremely high standard
Always enjoy viewing your images no matter what celestial object , nothing wrong with Carina , it has so much to give

You can really immerse yourself in this image

Staggering resolution , detail and quality

Looking forward to seeing more from the Shire Obs

Hopefully 2023 is kinder to us coastal huggers in regards to weather

Cheers
Martin

[marc4darkskies]

Very noice indeed Peter! :thumbsup:

Hmmm, I'm beginning to covet the QHY600M. Even though I think it would be a boon to my imaging efficiency given QE, low dark current and read noise, the thought of all the extra effort and $$ to convert my overweight imaging train plus give up adaptive optics makes me grimace. :help:

[matlud]

Looking v good Peter and congrats on the new scope. The FSQ106 seems to almost be made from unobtainium now if wanting one new so good you got it now. Cheers, Mat

[Peter Ward]

Thanks one and all for your positive comments.

Re: the QHY600m...I have a love/hate relationship with this camera.
I still find fixed pattern noise with really dim targets nigh impossible to tame.
But with photons booming in like with Eta, images become clean and well resolved.

It takes no prisoners when it comes to edge aberrations/tilt etc.
What you thought was perfect with a 9 micron pixel camera now stands out like a dunny in the desert.

As for the FSQ, I placed the order about two and a half years ago, before the recent price hike by Takahashi.
I'm very thankful the old price was honored by the very last shipment to the now defunct distributor, as, geez, the current sticker price is a tad eye-watering.

The new Taka distributor in Oz (Testar) seem to be very knowledgeable and has an excellent optical test bench to deal with albeit rare alignment problems.