Tak FSQ Quick First Light

[cventer]

I have had my FSQ now for a couple of weeks and was wiating for my STF-8300 to arrive before first light.

Curiosity got the best of me though so last night was clear. I set about mounting it on my PMX, sorting out robofocus, mounting mount hub pro and guidescope on it. Another 40 min of figuring out right adaptor spacings for my ST-2000XM to come to focus and it was about 12:30 am.

Moon was still up and I had to image something, so pointed it at M42 with Ha filter.

I nearly did a little dance for joy when the first 5 min sub frame downloaded.

This scope is going to be as awesome as I thought it would be. Dead flat field and lovely sharp optics.

Attached below is 6 x 5 min Ha, dark subracted, mean combined, no flats and some DDP and thats it.

This is a resized version. Will pop up full frame later.

Not presenting this as a finished image but can't contain my excitement.. I am looking forward to some nice images with this little baby...

[zardos123]

wow what a start, i think you are going to make a happy couple ;)
regards brad

[Octane]

Welcome to the FSQ club, Chris. : )

Can't wait to do this myself.

H

[Mighty_oz]

Looks great , brings back memories when i first used my tak :). What did u fix your tak to the PMX with ? ie rings to dovetail type ?

Marcus.

[cventer]

I have 2 x socal rings fitted to 2 losmandy DA adaptors fitted to a 13.5" Male to Male Dovetail plate which connects to PMX. On top of the socal rings is another 13.5" plate that I have my guide scope and Mount Hub attached to.

The DA adaptors lift the Socal rings high enough to give the focuser etc.. good clearance. Plus the DA adaptors allow me to adjust balance by shifting scope back or forward easily.

Will take a pic if you are interested.

[gregbradley]

A fabulous start Chris. Its a great scope.

Greg.

[Mighty_oz]

Sure pics always nice :) will give me some ideas, but u won't need a guide cam with that tak :) not with the PMX hehe. Those rings look similar to the WO ones i have on the tak so yeah pics please.

[cventer]

Some pics of connecting FSQ to PMX as promised

The box on top of the Losmandy MM plate up top is the Mount Hub Pro. This controls dew straps, guide cam, robofocus motor for FSQ.

[gregbradley]

How do find the Orion SSAG and the mini 50mm guide scope?

I was looking at one of those yesterday thinking it could be handy.

I was actually thinking of emulating the STX guiding technique of 2 guiding cameras. Perhaps even 3. More for long focal length. Just for fun to see if I can advance autoguiding. I have a few ideas about how to do that.

Greg.

[cventer]

Greg

The SSAG works great with PHD. Never not found a guide star yet. I also use it as a remote finder scope. Not that I need it now with the PMX

Seems to work well up to FL of about 1400mm. After that it seems to get a little touch and go.

I already had some WO finder rings that were solid mounted and adjustable. And an old GSO 50mm finder scope so just made it myself using an old 1.25 to to 2" adaptpor I had lying about.

The package they sell with 50mm scope is supposed to be OK but most end up tapping the holder and putting in some bolts to hold it in firmer.

I have a stellarview 60mm straight through finder scope on order from OPT. Slightly more FL and wider apperture. It think that will end up working very well. Nice thing is the STI that comes with my STF package will work nicely with this guide setup as well.

[midnight]

Impressive setup and very promising 1st image.


Good luck with your setup!


Darrin...

[popkrab]

Hello Chris Venter,

My name is Pornchai POP. from Bangkok, Thailand. I would like to introduce myself in short. I love in astronomy world since I was 12 years old, the year of comet Halley re-entry again. I build my own telescope with singlet objective lens and discovered the Moon!!! I saw many craters and Galilean sattelite of Jupiter including Saturn ring, phase of the Venus, Sunspot on the Sun. I felf in love in astronomy after that. Just me. :)

I saw your FSQ setup. It look very nice setup. I noticed the box sat on top of the OAT. What is that? Is it everything hub you did? It is very nice and interesting.

I have a plan to buy a telescope in FSQ 106ED class. I'm considering one. If you have any comment on the FSQ you own, please share your experience. I would love to hear them in both good thing and secret thing!!!

Thank you very much.

Best Regards,
Pornchai POP

[multiweb]

Very sharp and detailed shot. Lots of potential. :thumbsup:

[RickC]

The FSQ is a great scope + PMX mount + STF-8300 camera = an awsome setup = fantastic images
all the best
Richard

[cventer]

Pornchai,

The box on top is called a "Mount Hub Pro"

Its a hub that allows you to from 1 usb cable control several 5v and 12v power uspplies, 4 dew heaters and a robofocus steppr motoe. It allows you to cut down on cable clutter essentially.

I have only had this FSQ for a few week snow and just taken a few test imags which look very promising indeed so cant comment further than that. The images from the FSQ's speak volumes for themsleves so for the money you cant go wrong.

Regards
Chris