M106 - Epsilon 160 + Audine kaf1603me

[Pierre]

Hi all,

Yet this camera can be tested ;), the weather has not been confortable for days and days. A few history: from a kaf401e grde 2 sensor, this camera has been uprgraded to un Kaf1603me engineering grade, with also a Pentax shutter, and a Alaudine power supply.

the raw pictures have been taken during the night 23rd au 24th of may 2008 near the Fleckenstein castle ruins (north of Alsace, France).

- Sigma médian 2 10 of 7x240s ; preprocessing with a 5 darks median, no flat.
- Imager: Audine kaf1603me + Alaudine; sensor T°-16°c
- Astrograph: Takahashi Epsilon 160/530.
- Mount : em200Temma2jr
- Autoguiding : webcam Toucam Pro bw sensor, with fs60c refractor fitted on tgm1 ; software : Guidemaster 1.3. Interface API Pierro-astro.

Processing with Iris 5.51, log, ddp, gradient, level, crop.

This resulting picture does not reveal the capabilities of this setup. it is just a test :D

But oh my God, this sensor is so sensible !! The quality of the sensor i unexpected since it is a Eng grade : no defect columns, or aberrating zone, only some "comas" appear on darks.

The 350xt may now have holidays ;).

Clear skies.
Pierre

The full frame (http://scala200.free.fr/images/e160/m106-sigmamedian2_10-7x240s-d-ddp-grad-rec.jpg)

For those who are interested , 4 min darkframe (http://scala200.free.fr/matos/noir4mn-16deg.fit) , -16°c cooled sensor.

[strongmanmike]

Nice field of view Pierre.

I love the Epsilon Astrographs how long have you had yours?

Look forward to the images that you produce after testing is complete :thumbsup:

Mike

[Pierre]

Hi Mike,

thank you for yor comment.

I own this Epsilon since August 2008. This model is dated early 1990. Il has grey rings as many Takahashi material before this date.

Some pictures taken with a 350xt and this Epsilon may be posted very soon.

I have read your ASA misadventure. Sorry for you.

[jase]

Nice work Pierre. The e160 delivers a pleasing view. Plenty of background galaxies on display giving the image depth. I think you may need to take some flats to correct the field. Strangely, its dark in the center and lighter towards the edges.

[iceman]

A lovely image, well done!

How many MP is the camera?

[Pierre]

Thanks for comment ;). The flat lack does help the picture quality indeed :shrug:. This picture is only a test with an upgraded ccd camera ;);

This inverted gradient is due to the modified thresolds.

Clear skies.

Pierre.

[Pierre]

Hi, thank very much ;)

The number MP is 1536x1024 i.e. 1.632 MP. The sensor is identical to a st8xme.