After the frustration - 60 minutes of joy

[Octane]

All,

A work in progress.

I received a Feldstein #6 adapter to hook the STL directly to the FSQ's focuser, thereby negating the use of adapters with thumbscrews, etc. I installed it and went to focus on a star. Star got smaller and smaller as I racked the focuser out. Eventually, I ran out of backfocus by about 1.5-2.5 cm.

The sheer frustration is indescribable. This adapter is designed to be used with this camera and scope; you'd be forgiven for thinking that it was all supposed to work without any fiddling. Well, as it turns out, I'm now sourcing a CA645 adapter, or two (thanks Doug/John for your assistance). I suspect, as Rally mentioned to me in private message, that, if I was using the CFW-8, that that would provide me with enough backfocus.

Anyway, I thought, bugger it, went and installed the Extender-Q 1.6x teleconverter and thought I'd image with that. First time I've ever used it and I have to say I'm very, very happy with the results -- flat stars edge-to-edge. There is a bit of vignetting, but, nothing that a good set of flats wont fix.

Interestingly, instead of operating at f/8 (from f/5) the configuration is operating at f/7.4, which is close enough. I suspect I'd need the correct spacings (or, less spacing) to operate at f/8? Anyways, no biggie. At any rate, focusing at f/7.4 is a breeze compared to f/5 on this scope!

Here's 60 minutes worth of luminance (100% crop from centre of frame) before the clouds called an end to proceedings. Very, very minimal post-processing and no calibration yet.

http://users.tpg.com.au/octane2/ngc5128L.html

I look forward to spending copious amounts of time on this in the coming weeks/months.

Cheers for looking.

H

[allan gould]

Now that's a nice deep shot with lovely round stars. Can't wait to see a little colour added. Despite the frustration you must be happy with that performance.

[strongmanmike]

I feel the frustration, you must have been cussing before slipping on the Extender-Q :mad2:

Cen A is looking promising :thumbsup:

Mike

[gregbradley]

That's showing a lot for 60 minutes. The FSQ is such an amazing scope.

Ah yes the out of focus by this much problem! I have experienced that with an FSQ.

Greg.

[multiweb]

Good save considering the problems. Lovely shot. :thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

Sending copious amounts of clear skies your way H, so we can see the end result.
Looking good so far.

[richardo]

Ah H...
man you've had a run:bashcomp::sad:
Lesser men would have buckled a year before in disgust and taken up lawn bowls with aunt Suzie (no offense to any aunt Suzies out there)

Amazing that there have been soo many people who have had this drama.. I know a couple as well..... exact same setup.
Go figure:shrug:
In the real world they should be paying for your down time H :lol: then they'd get it right! Cappo swines!

Any ways, the clouds have parted (metaphorically) and your in for smooth sailing now :windy: but never say never, just kidding :D

Looking good and look forward to your oncoming barrage of great images.

All the best
Rich

[Leonardo70]

WOW ... what a luminance !!!!

Well done.

Leo

[Octane]

Allan,

Thanks, mate. Yeah, I'm very happy with the stars. I was trying to do a PEC run with PEMPro and was wondering why the graph was doing all sorts of weird things. Turns out I forgot to rebalance the scope in declination after attaching the Extender-Q. D'oh! After that, stars were perfect.

Looking forward to adding more luminance (and, colour)!



Mike,

Definitely. But, very happy now. I think the Extender-Q might just make itself a permanent fixture after this autumn/winter as my object of choice for the season will require a wider field.



Greg,

Thanks! Yep, can't say I can fault the scope at all. It's magic.



Marc,

Thanks, sir!



Jeanette,

Thanks, heaps. :D



H

[Octane]

Rich,

Haha, glad you noticed my string of bad runs! It's never going to stop! If it's not one thing, it's something else. I have to admit, when I couldn't come to focus, that evil thought of selling everything came to me again, lol. I was adamant that I was going to get rid of that thought by attaching the Extender-Q and try something else.

I didn't even mention that I got my RoboFocus back from Jeremy a week or so ago. I had sent it off to be repaired (it had a mind of its own and wouldn't stop racking the focuser in/out upon power on. Even a direct serial connection to the unit and observing the output through Hyperterminal, all I could see was a string of 0's being sent and there was nothing I could issue the unit manually). It ended up having a busted DB-9 connection and a blown capacitor. It's all repaired now but I haven't been game to attach it and try using it properly. I did turn it on briefly and it seemed to be working OK.

Thanks. :)



Leo,

Thank you!



H

[atalas]

H,some wonderful detail in the dust dude! hope you get to finish It soon.

[RobF]

Wow, it really is coming alive in just that luminance data. I want MORE :)

[Hagar]

Very nice H,, It's not frustration it's just the normal in astrophotography.

One day we will all get a setup that just works. Wouldn't it be lovely?