Omega Cent STX

[Peter Ward]

Still persisting with the standard candle theme: Omgea cent with a STX16803.

I'm finding the RC field flattner & sensor combination to be quite terse with any focus errors..and the spacing of the sensor to FFC to be very critical. (hence there is a little "rainbowing" around some stars ) anyway...though the world doesn't need it...another Omega Cent here:

http://www.atscope.com.au/BRO/gallery50.html

[strongmanmike]

:shrug: $Kings ransom worth of gear and Omega again... :rolleyes: :zzz2:

Still...obviously not bad :thumbsup:

Mike

[renormalised]

Nice shot, Peter:)

[multiweb]

C'mon play nice Mike ... If you don't behave I'll PM you my "nth" M8 rendition. :lol:

Corker of a pic Peter. :thumbsup: Dream rig you've got there. Can't wait when you start pointing it at M8. :D (+1 for Mike)

[Peter Ward]

Thanks Carl, Mike, Marc. I didn't think it looked too shabby :)

M8? Yes, on the list :D

Just gave the image a smidge of sharpening....has a bit more snap now.

[Bassnut]

I dont mind Omega cent off a new rig (any new rig), gives a chance to zoom around and get feel how a new piece of gear performs and the trials and troubles setting it up. Probably the best object for that.

Comming along nicely Peter, a hair short of very smick..

[Peter Ward]

Thanks Fred. Picked it in one.

I extended the FFC spacing a few mm this morning...but no idea how this will affect things until the sun goes down.

That said...for a FL close to 3000mm the stars are pretty tight as is.

[TrevorW]

I never tire of this one

[Bassnut]

wow :eyepop:, OK then, thats very impressive already :thumbsup: , very tight indeed .

[MikeyB]

The world can never have too many Omega Centauri pics, Peter, especially ones this beautiful. :)

Thanks for sharing it.

[telecasterguru]

I agree with everyone else Peter, it is a very fine image.

I am waiting on the Astro Tech FF for the 10" RC to see how that effects my images. Positively I hope. Although as you say getting it set up right may take some work

Frank

[Garyh]

Looks like you are getting that spacing pretty close to just right. Stars are only very slightly out in the corners. Always love a good Omega ;)

[Peter Ward]

Thanks Frank, Michael.

While I'm enjoying getting the bugs out of the news system, but also finding it's a case of "careful what you wish for".

There are few (large aperture) telescopes that are perfectly corrected to the edge of the field (including my RC) of these massive sensors.

It will be interesting to see the results from large aperture DK users with the same sensor... that said, to date I have not seen results that would motivate me away from my RC just yet, as the setup has been quite painless so far.

[PeterM]

Peter, Peter, Peter, Peter...
And the crowds yell out for more........


PeterM.

[DavidU]

Tight as Peter ! (yes regarding fish).
Well done.

[Peter Ward]

....The room was humming harder as the ceiling flew away :lol:

[Hagar]

Beautifully resolved Peter. I must try this myself but will be happy with an image half this good. What length subs did you use for this image?
Always interesting to see what others use for their image collection.

Great stuff.

[PeterM]

..."when we called out for another drink" and er... yup having a(nuther) Port right now as I again look at this wonderful image.

PeterM.

[scopemankit]

awesome!!

[DavidTrap]

Just worked out what song that was you were "singing" gents - the lyrics are truly weird when you see them written down - as is often the case with many songs.

DT

[Peter Ward]

Thanks. My standard sub from the 'burbs is 10 minutes.

[Peter Ward]

I suspect Procol Harum might be lost on a few younger ISS members.:)

[mithrandir]

Their loss.

[Paul Haese]

Cracker. Love the colours, field width and height. Core depth is great, sky background is superb. Yes you ought to go onto something else but I would be very happy with this myself and I am glad to see this done so well again. Now for M8

[duncan]

NOW THAT'S A CRACKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:e yepop:
Cheers,
Duncan

[Peter Ward]

Very kind remarks Duncan. While Omega is bright, I find it's a tough test object, in that any guiding/image plane/tracking problems become very obvious at long FL's (+ 2500mm) . Seemed to work out OK on this occasion :)

[Martin Pugh]

Hi Peter
good to see a colour image from you and the STX (unless I missed an earlier post). Fine image indeed.
I am interested in your efforts to reduce some effects going on betwen the FFC and the sensor. So, you are not trying to get as close as you can to your optimum backfocus distance for the RC, but adjusting the distance between the camera and the FFC by adding/subtracting those spacer/washers that RCOS sells?
thanks for the clarification

Martin

[Peter Ward]

Thanks Martin...

Re the rings: Sort of.

I do infact try to keep the backfocus at optimum, but the FFC changes the FL.

I have not been able to get exact numbers from RCOS, so the optimum FFC to sensor distance determination, has been a trial and error process using the FIA rings.

I suspect I am close, but perfection would require a custom spacer which I don't have at present.

[Satchmo]

All the red stars remind me of the crowning view I had of this placed overhead from NW NSW , through 20" F5 binoculars and 17mm Naglers in 2002. you could pick out all the red stars right in to the core with no burn out , and chromatic stereopsis made all the red stars look closer , so the whole thing was fully 3d. Good photos remind me of how different the visual and photographic view can be.

[TheDecepticon]

What an awesome shot of such a great object.:D

[Peter Ward]

Thanks. Omega is a southern Gem....eagle eyed observers will spot a deep red variable buried in that blase of blue and yellow stars.

[loc46south]

Had a quick tally up and I'm sure there are 17 stars missing.

Seriously though - excellent image - shows what is possible with good optics.

Geof

[Peter Ward]

:lol: ...they'd be the variable ones. That said, I'd only rate the optics as
less than half of the end result. You need an accurate mount+guiding first and foremost....the best optics on the planet won't help if their images are being smeared all over the sensor ;)

[Jen]

:thumbsup::thumbsup: very nice Peter :thumbsup::thumbsup: but that makes my first pic look like i have way much more to learn and the desperate need for a new mount :lol: Keep em coming love your work :D