Moon - first light new scope

[Omaroo]

Hi all :)

I just received my new Tak MT-160 6" newtonian from Lars today. It's been outside cooling down a little, so I thought I'd take a quick shot or two while it chilled.

First impression is that this scope is going to be a beauty. Both with and without the f/4.8 FR it's crisp edge to edge both though an 11mm TV plossl and 25mm S4000.

The focuser will need to be stripped and re-packed because it has a little slop in it - but it's a couple of decades old, so one would more than expect it. It's not too bad - but will be better. The built-in camera angle adjuster is going to ne brilliant - no focus shift that I can detect while turning it.

This is a shot of todays big neighbourly blob in the sky. I think that the highlights were kept well in check in this shot.

Moon through Tak MT-160, @ f/4.8 (FR) and Nikon D40. Stacked 10 images in Photoshop CS3 - ISO200 1/250th sec.

Here for a slightly higher resolution version: http://www.omaroo.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=6347&g2_imageViewsIndex=3

[Dennis]

Wow - yes, that is sharp, super sharp! Excellent photo and processing!

Cheers

Dennis

[Omaroo]

Thanks Dennis :)

I think it'll do better through the night as the air's pretty wobbly right now. I'll wait a few hours and grab it at zenith. This shot could be sharper if I didn't stack it - and used a single frame instead. Noise was very low anyway...

[Matty P]

That is a sweet shot Chris! Very sharp and crisp. As expected from a Tak.

Seems like a great scope. Looking forward to more. :)

[Omaroo]

Thanks Matty :) Much obliged :thumbsup:

[Octane]

Chris,

Wow, that is fantastic. It fair leaped out of the screen at me.

You lucky so-and-so! :)

Regards,
Humayun

[Omaroo]

Thanks Humayun! Hope it didn't damage anything! :P

[multiweb]

That's georgeous mate! :eyepop: MAS image of the month I'd say. At least :thumbsup:

[DavidU]

That is crisp chris ! Excellent. I really like the colours & tones

[Omaroo]

Thanks Marc :) Thanks David :thumbsup:

[Doomsayer]

Nice to see the MT160 go to a good home. Amazingly good optics. The MT130 Lars sold me a while back is a stunner.

cheers
guy

[Omaroo]

G'Day Guy :)

Looks like Lars is all MT'd out...but I think that he has a few nice toys to keep him busy. :lol:

Yep - I've been looking around with a cool mirror now - and I reckon that this thing is fantastic. I couldn't get the subtlety of the ejecta rays controlled so well even using the fluorite. This is going to be a good machine I think. Are you going to either BSG or IISAC coming up Guy? We'll have an MT gathering. :)

[f.robert]

Very very nice we want more:p

[iceman]

Stunning image, Chris.

What's the FL of the scope?

[Omaroo]

Thanks Robert & Mike :)

The specs:



The little "Green Machine":

[sheeny]

Congrats on the new scope, Chris.

As for the photo I can only second the praise made so far.:thumbsup:

Al.

[Omaroo]

Thank you Al - cheers! :)

[h0ughy]

great image Chris, sharpness and colours are very pleasing

[Omaroo]

Thanks David :)

[toryglen-boy]

what an image mate!!

i see what you mean about the superior optics, it looks almost like you could reach out and touch it.

Certainly one of the best lunar shors, i have ever seen


:thumbsup:

[Spanrz]

Awe-inspiring and an OMG shot. Excellent shot Chris.

[asterisk]

Great photo, Chris. Another telescope?

[Lumen Miner]

The detail is impressive to say the least. it makes me want to head back outside to try and get some better shots... guess my 3 1/2" and cybershot arn't up to these standards. Not by a long shot... I'll still keep trying though. You have inspired me once again.

[Quark]

Congrats on your new scope Chris and what a stunning image, beautifully resolved and love the colours.

Cheers
Trevor

[Omaroo]

Cheers fellas - thanks for the kind comments! :)

[lhansen]

Hi Chris

You have no idea how much pleasure it gives me to see that image. Terrific shot and it certainly vindicates the high praise heaped on these scopes - well done.

Lars

[Omaroo]

Thanks Lars - for the kind comment AND the scope. It's everything I hoped it would be - it's going to be great as a visual instrument too. I'm looking at hooking up with Guy and Zane on the 17th at Magellan, and we'll compare MT notes and try for some serious CCD time. Weather permitting...

I've now got to consider a side by side arrangement, as the top of the MT ring isn't really suitable to mount the FS60-C guide scope on. I'll try for a side by side with the complete FS-102/60-C pakage on the G11. I hope it's not too much weight....

Anyhow - thanks again Lars. Ripper scope :thumbsup:

[RobF]

Just a stunning shot Chris. Thanks.

[lhansen]

You'll need an Paramount ME to carry all those scopes and then you could buy a RCOS and then of course you will need a SBIG STL and then..... :scared: be afraid - be very afraid :help:

[Omaroo]

Oh-oh.... :doh:

[telecasterguru]

Chris,

When you get the rig together you'll have to post a pic. I think it will be a big pic.

Frank

[Omaroo]

Thanks Geoff.

Yep... :sadeyes:

Thanks Frank & Rob :)

[spacezebra]

Stunning Chris!!!!

I just spotted this post - that's a sharp image. I love the colours and the detail.

Cheers Petra d.

[Darth Wader]

That's an awesome image Chris - very sharp with a ton of detail!

I love the scope too, truly a precision instrument with a funky paint job.

Cheers
Wade

[Tamtarn]

Wow Chris that's impressive. The optics on the MT sure provided a sharp detailed image :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Omaroo]

Thanks Petra, Wade and David :thumbsup:

[Rob_K]

Must've missed this Chris - wow, what an absolute stunner of a shot! :thumbsup: Congratulations, obviously the new scope's working well!

Cheers -

[Hagar]

Looks good Chris, Takes a lovely sharp image for a 20 yr old mirror. You should have some fun with this beast. How many Taks have you got now????

[Omaroo]

Thanks Rob & Doug :)

Doug - Just three - the MT-160, FS-102 and FS60-C. The FSQ-106 is next on the list.... :doh:

[Tandum]

That's a really nice fist light Chris, I wish I still had my DSLR to get some instant results from my new tak. I'm spending hours coming to grips with new bloody cameras instead :( I guess it has been raining for 6 months though :)

[Omaroo]

Thanks Robin :)

Yeah - I know where you're coming from. I'm still to really get to grips with the ST8 too. There just haven't been enough really good nights two or more in a row. At least I know the SLR pretty well now, so as you say, I can just rip outside and snap off a couple.

I'm really keen to see some of yours with the new cam and Tak when you do finally find a hole on the sky large enough to poke through for a while! :thumbsup:

[renormalised]

Nice...really nice shot Chris:D:D

The ol' slag heap looks good in the new scope:D:D

[Omaroo]

LOL! The 'ol slag heap :)

Cheers Carl :lol:

[StephenM]

Amazing detail Chris! Great shot.

Cheers,
Stephen