First light with RC8"

[Hagar]

This is it, well almost the first light. The actual first light was taken before a few mods and bits added. The resulting first image was at best awful. I am a little in fact a lot happier with this image. It is just a quick 9 X 5 minute exposure of eta carina core area.
The original focuser although beefed up from the original focusers was not the best for astrophotography and suffered quite a bit of sag. I replaced it with a 2" Starlight focuser which is a beautiful, well made focuser quite capable of carrying the long imaging train hanging off the back.
The second requirement was a suitable field flattener. I elected to follow Paul Haese and use a Tak TOA35 flattener. The distance between the CCD and the FF is a meager 155mm (Thanks Paul for this info), making the back end quite long. I used 2" Tak 50.8 extender to fill this gap. The stars with this or approx this spacing are reasonably good and I will endeavor to get the spacing a little more accurate before getting a custom adapter made.
The collimation was also quite a bit out. Now a bit closer.

The image was taken using:
Telescope: GSO RC 8"
Camera: QHY8Pro cooled OSC CCD at -20 degrees.
Guided: QHY5 and WO 70MM refractor mounted on top of the RC.
Mount: G11 with Gemini.
Image taken with some high level cloud. Best I could manage.:thumbsup:

Very little processing. Just a quick stretch and some shadows and highlights. Processed with IP3 and PS CS3.
The images were calibrated with Flats and Bias files (Something different for me the FSQ doesn't need any). No Darks taken or used.
I had a few unusual coloured pixel streaks which were tracked down to using the high speed download. (Full image in less than 2 seconds ( Not recommended))

Thanks for looking, all I need now is some clear sky.

[strongmanmike]

Not...baaaad :thumbsup:

Mike

[DavidU]

Nice job Doug. I can't wait for you to have that RC humming.

[spacezebra]

Hi Doug

Excellent image! Good to hear that your are happier and getting the feel for your equipment.

Cheers Petra d.

[jjjnettie]

I'll be following your progress with interest.

[AlexN]

Nice looking image Doug... Colour seems odd, but as you said, minimal processing....

The RC8" are a ripper little scope, once they are setup right they really do produce the goods...

[Octane]

Doug,

Well done, mate. You're making me jealous with those beautiful diffraction spikes!

H

[mill]

Once the teething problems are gone you will make ripper images :)

[Hagar]

Thanks everyone. So far I am pretty impressed. It has taken a while to setup and get somewhere near right. But all up fairly happy with results so far and the overall cost was not very high compared with a similar RC from the States.

Costs so far:

Scope> $1750 delivered
Focuser> $450 delivered
Robo focus Motor and Coupling> $270 delivered
Tak TSA35 flattener and extender> $500 delivered

Total Cost $2970 compared to $10,000 + for a 10 inch RC from USA.
Not to bad for my limited skills and it gives me some focal length to compliment the FSQ for galaxies etc.

[Prickly]

Hi Doug,

Congratulations on your new setup. Most impressive!

The investment in the focusser is no doubt worth it. Should be helpful having the robofocus for imaging.

Look forward to seeing some more shots

Best regards
David

[telecasterguru]

I am impressed with the image. Very well done.

It looks the goods to me and with more time will be more than beautiful.

Frank

[strongmanmike]

Yep great economics and a fantastic versitlie setup Doug...now you just need to produce the goods ;)...Oooo pressures on :lol:

Mike

[desler]

Pressure,

I'm thinking not, some clear skies and I think the RC in this configuration is going to yield some fantastic images.

Glad to see your having fun Doug! Can't wait to see more of your work!

Darren

[Lester]

Looks good Doug, all the best with the new toy.

[Paddy]

Looks great, Doug,especially without the full depth of your processing wizardry. I didn't know you were investing in this scope. I'm looking forward to seeing what images you produce with it!

[Terry B]

Doug
How do you think it compares to your VC200L?

[zipdrive]

Looking very good for 1st light :thumbsup:
Tak flattener is doing a great job too!

Few more bits and pieces and then I'll be able to 1st light my RC8 soon too....I got a Astrotech 2" flattener for it, hope it works out ok :shrug:

So the stock focuser is definitely no go? I'll be loading it up with qhy9+filterwheel+flattener and may be OAG.....:question:

[mexhunter]

Hi Doug:
Very well that first light.
It feel that telescope is going to give many satisfactions to you.
Many greetings
Cesar

[plmilligan1968]

Congrats on the new scope :thumbsup: and a cool scope it is too!

A very nice smooth image, especially with very little processing.

Keep them coming!

Clear skies
Paul M..

[CoolhandJo]

Looking good! Colours etc! FOV is great.

[Paul Haese]

More than happy to help Doug.

I do reckon I should get a scope free from GSO though. Perhaps the RC12 that is coming to NEAF this year.;) I think my images have sold a lot of scope for GSO.

There are heaps of targets to grab now. Looking forward to some nice images. I do not that your image scale is a little different to mine. Mind you the 40D image I have has a different size sensor. I might have to do another Eta in the near future.

[Garyh]

Good going Doug! There was a lot of controversy about this RC as to optical quality but they seem to deliver the goods :thumbsup:

[multiweb]

Sweet shot! Exceptional actually. The new rig shows some huge potential. :thumbsup:

[Hagar]

Hard one.. Very similar except a bit more stuffing around to correct the image but no diamond shaped stars to contend with and now a much better focuser.



Worth a try but not holding my breath on the stock focuser.



Thanks again Paul, I think you deserve a free scope for all the advertising and feedback you gave GSO. Well done.

To all the others who commented, Thanks, I think this scope shows quite a bit of potential and will suit the image scale I was looking for.

[prokyon]

Wow, what an excellent equipement! The 1st attempt is promising, can`t wait to see more...

[Jen]

:thumbsup::thumbsup: nice one Dougy good to see ya getting back into the swing of things after throwing in the towel a little while back :lol:
Sometimes a short break is all ya need cheers mate cant wait to see some more of your fine masterpieces :D

[TheDecepticon]

Very nice, Doug! Has the air of things to come! Keep it up!!:):thumbsup: