test shot Eta Carina and Horsehead/Flame

[COSMOPARADISE]

Hi all,

ETA CARINA NEBULA last night from Surfers trying out a new scope and camera combination and HUTECH IDAS Light Pollution filter. TS102 FPL-53 f/5.25, WO P-FLAT4@86, ORION PARSEC 8300M, HEQ5PRO 300s x 5 all in MaximDL.

[jenchris]

Better than my test shot with my new antares reducer.

[astronobob]

Thats a mighty fine test result Nick, speshly from the heart of Surfers, I would 'ave expected more noise from that location, must ave been a quiet night for such a smooth result mate ;) well done :thumbsup:

[RobF]

Nice test shot Nick. Looks like you've had some significiant gear upgrades!

[Ross G]

Nice photo Nick.

Sharp with very good detail.

Ross.

[COSMOPARADISE]

Hey folks, yeah new scope that has come together from all over the world. The story is in the ATM section. The scope started off as a MEADE SERIES 5000 102 APO which is FCD-1, or FPL-51. An incident with the collimation grub screws caused the original middle lens to chip and start flaking glass, so why not get a new FPL-53 lens. This was thanks to Teleskop Service, or TS.
The objective was 0.60mm larger than the tube so an adaptor ring had to be machined up to lock the lens objective to the tube. Without this CNC ring it wouldn't be alive today. The collimation of the new system was done in Melbourne and has proved to be fantastic.
So a tube from China that had a lens transplant and now has a FPL-53 triplet from TS in Germany and the focuser was replaced with MOONLITE with HI-RES motor, from the U.S. (ASTROMART).
The only remianing issue is the flattener/ reducer.
Of 3 that I have, ASTROTECH 2FF, IKHAROS REDUCER and WO P-FLAT IV adjustable flattener, the WO has proved itself best on the grounds that the other 2 had focal point near the end of the tube travel and wasnt very secure where the WO focal point is 1/4 the distance out, much safer. The distances are adjustable from 66mm to 86mm and this is the hurdle im at right now, the right distance to achieve the flattest possible field with my PARSEC 8300M and ATIK EFW2. Hence these test images.
This one of the Horsey was at a distance of 66 on the WO where the Eta was at 86. Its also given me good processing practice and I welcome comments/criticisms
Thanks for the comments and clear skies (if your not living in SE QLD)