First VC200L Image - Jewel Box [Archive]

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garymck

30-01-2010, 10:27 AM

Hi,
this is the first image taken by my new (for me) VC200l. Bought it from an Iceinspace member just before xmas. The collimation was way out, had to redo everything from first principles using special tools. I ham having a slight problem with sag in my connections which means it is not as good as it could be. CCDInspector reports collimation accurate to 2.5 arc secs. I will firm up my adapters before trying for sub arc sec alignment. This image is 30x60sec, no flats, darks or bias frames (QHY8) shots under a 3/4 moon through whispy clouds - I'll take any night that I can see some stars as a goer!! Used an IDAS LP filter. I am unsure how far to push the image for display on IIS, looks OK on my screen. Please let me know if it looks noisy to you....

cheers
Gary

Dennis

30-01-2010, 10:41 AM

A very nice image of this mesmerizingly beautiful open cluster. The VC200L is a great ‘scope albeit with rather thick secondary vanes. Was this at F9 or did you use the Reducer?

Cheers

Dennis

garymck

30-01-2010, 10:49 AM

Hi Dennis,
was at f9
cheers
Gary

gregbradley

30-01-2010, 10:54 AM

Very nice. Jewel Box is a hard one to get to look good. You've done very well.

Greg.

TrevorW

30-01-2010, 11:08 AM

A good first effort with the new scope with that much data you could probably stretch it a bit more to bring out the diffraction spikes

Cheers

AlexN

30-01-2010, 02:11 PM

Nice indeed... Those VC200L's do produce lovely star images... Once you get the collimation down to sub arc-sec (not that I can notice any miscollimation in this image) you should be able to produce some killer image with this setup.

Good job, and fingers crossed for clearer skies!

Garyh

30-01-2010, 03:12 PM

Nice quick tst of your new toy, very very sharp and nice star shapes and colors :thumbsup:

TheDecepticon

31-01-2010, 12:45 AM

Nothing wrong with that. A few longer exposures to bring out the back ground and a star mask for colour and it would be a ripper.:thumbsup:

telecasterguru

31-01-2010, 08:45 AM

Looks good all the way out to the edge. A nice image.

Frank

garymck

31-01-2010, 09:14 AM

Thanks all for the encouraging comments.....hoping to take some nice pics as soon as the weather cooperates!
cheers
Gary