First light TSA120 (CentaurusA)

[Hagar]

This is my first light image with my new Takahashi TSA120. Cent A was the target as it was nice and high, a known target to guage the image against and would allow me to see how much detail could be extracted.

I have some major balance/guiding issues to overcome as a result of using a side by side set up with the FSQ and may well go back to a single scope. No field flattener was used for this image so I am pretty happy with this result.

Image details:
Scope: Takahashi TSA120
Camera: QHY9 mono with Baader LRGB fllters
No Field flattener
10 X 5 minute luminance subs
6 X 5 minute each RGB
Total = 50,30,30,30 = 2hrs 20 minutes
Guiding cut the image total and half the original subs were discarded.

I have included the full frame and a crop of Centaurus A.

[gregbradley]

You're off to a flying start there.

Greg.

[Cloudyagain]

Thats a great image Doug. Have spent a bit of time on this one myself lately (nothing I want to post though), and I think you have pretty much got it all in there. I prefer the 3rd image with it's subtle extra detail but the then I also prefer the "lightness" and extra colour of the second. Well done.

Neale.

[Paul Haese]

Nice work Doug. Colour looks good and the field looks remarkably flat on the wider shot. Maybe no need for a flattener.

[multiweb]

Geat scope. Great pic. :thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

Very nice Doug

[jjjnettie]

Congratulations on a pretty speccie first light image Doug.

[strongmanmike]

Yep looks great Doug and I agree with Paul, with that chip at least, it looks like you probably don't really need the FF..?

Mike

[Satchmo]

What is the F# Doug ?

[renormalised]

Nice work there, Doug. New scope looks a pearler:):)

[Jeffkop]

Geeze Doug, thats the second "quickie" that has ended up MUCH better than OK !!!! I think you've found the secret mate ... Seems to be ... dont sweat over it, just take the minimum qty of subs ... and sit back and impress everyone ... well its so with me mate ... GREAT result.

[Tandum]

Doug they are a 900mm FL @ F7.5 scope aren't they? Do both SBS scopes see out the dome slot over the entire sky?
Looking good.. :thumbsup:

[bokglob]

Great firstlight there Dougee:thumbsup: This scope is a beauty, not just as an astrograph, but also amazing with an eyepiece in! Congrats.

[Lester]

Wonderful image Doug, thanks for the view. You got a classy scope there. All the best.

[Ross G]

Great shot Doug.

So sharp.

Thanks.

Ross.

[Hagar]

Thanks Everyone. I am certainly impressed with the scope so far and maybe I won't need the Flattener. A bit more experimenting required.

Mark it is an F7.5 at 900mm FL.

I am strongly thinking of putting the SBS back in the corner and just running one scope on the mount at a time. Really the extra effort and hassles of running two scopes and only using one far outweighs the benifits of having both sitting waiting to be used.

Thanks again.

[richardo]

Congrats Doug, this looks like a winner.. lovely sharp details and stars.

Have fun!

Rich

[DavidU]

I think this is an awesome instrument Doug. Your going to pull some stunning work out of this scope.

[Hagar]

Thanks Rich, I am looking forward to giving this scope a good work out. All I need is to get the weather Gods on side.



Thanks David. Yes it's typical Tak quality right down to the Rack and pinion focuser.

[Paddy]

Nice work Doug.

[spacezebra]

Stunning Doug!

Cheers Petra d.

[Jutscher]

Nice one Doug,
Its good to see results from someone else using the TSA 120.
I have just ordered the flattener for mine as it gets a bit messy at the edges of large shots like Eta Carinae etc when using my EOS.
Good to see your result on Cent A with the QHY9 tho, as a decent CCD will be the next purchase, and with results like your's, I cant wait.
Enjoy you're new toy :) and look forward to your future results

Cheers
Sam

[dugnsuz]

Very nice image from the new scope Doug - nice when a plan comes together!
Doug

[desler]

Boy, what a lovely view. Even through tired eyes, very exciting times ahead!

Darren

[Alchemy]

Interesting to see you have gone for a 5 inch refractor, having gone down a similar path, it's good imaging at a reasonable cost, pretty much hassle free too. F5 sure would be sweet,..... 120 mm at f5 is 600... If it's 900 it's about 7.5 .... Either way, enjoy.

Happy imaging
Clive

[Hagar]

Thanks Patrick



Thanks Petra



Thanks Sam, They are a lovely scope. I did toss up the TOA 130 but cost and weight made this the winner for me. A CCD does make quite a difference although it is a bit more work to get the image just right.



Thanks Doug, For once my plans seem to be working and you will be happy to note that I intend to do some widefield imaging with my 40D mounted on an IOptron Mini Tower.



Thanks Darren.



Thanks Clive, one of the problems with posting without thinking to much. It is a nice scope and should serve me well. F5 fixed to F7.5. Thanks.

[Stevec35]

Great first light image Doug. Looks like this scope will produce some very nice stuff.

Cheers

Steve

[mill]

Mate that is a very nice scope.
The field is nice and flat,so no flattener needed.
Nice round stars, and yes the SBS is a bit of a worry (makes things complicated).
But all in all a very good result :)
Why don't you use a OAG??

[Hagar]

Thanks Steve, I am very hopeful this will provide that little bit extra I am looking for until I can finally afford my dream scope and mount, if ever.



Thanks Martin, I do use an OAG but still find the side by side very dificult to set up correctly for both scopes.



T

[Hagar]

Another version with a few processing tweaks to flatten the background a bit more.

[renormalised]

Looks good, Doug.

Nice, round stars.

[Paul Haese]

Lovely round stars and a nice rendition this last image.

[oosh]

Great images, the larger (well, closer/larger appearing) stars give the image more depth. Lovely :)

[Bassnut]

Top work Doug, but the stars look a bit fat at that FL, whats going on there?.

[Hagar]

This image is a crop Fred. If you look back at the first image you will see the full frame. Quite a bit smaller.

[Bassnut]

Ahh, I see, sorry, NP then.

[SkyViking]

Thats very nice and sharp, looks like a superb scope. Congratulations :)

[Hagar]

Thank Carl.



Thanks Paul, This scope seems like a keeper for me.



Thanks Jason, Still lots to learn about processing images. I doubt it will ever end.

[oosh]

I'm sure there is Doug - I'm yet to get into any astrophotography, can't wait to though, and seeing stuff like this is all the more inspiration :)

[Hagar]

Thanks Jason. It is expensive if you want it to be but there is ways to keep the cost down. And it is great fun producing a nice image from a near dark starting point.

[oosh]

Certainly looks like it mate - thanks for sharing & inspiring :thumbsup: