Dewy moonlit first light for STL11K

[RickS]

First test of a new (secondhand - thanks, Stuart) STL11K last night on a damp moonlit night from the inner burbs of Brisbane. Scope was a Tak FSQ-106ED. I really love the FOV of this camera compared to my old KAF8300 chipped camera!

I didn't expend much effort on the processing because the data is, unsurprisingly, not that great. There's a bit of tilt too which I hope to fix with a new adapter...

Image is here: http://rickstevenson.smugmug.com/Astro-Photography/2012-06/23698680_zhPM7k#!i=1936188884&k=5TCMqqr (http://rickstevenson.smugmug.com/Astro-Photography/2012-06/23698680_zhPM7k#%21i=1936188884&k=5TCMqqr)

Cheers,
Rick.

[DavidTrap]

That's definitely got potential! A well proven combination.

Hopefully the weather gods will be kind for a few nights. I'm hoping to get some collimation and focusing sorted tonight.

DT

[Octane]

Welcome to the FSQ-STL marriage made in heaven. :)

H

[RickS]

Yes, looks very promising, David. Can't wait to get this combo to a dark site. Good luck with the weather. I'm going to try a few more tests and maybe collect some Ha over the next couple of nights.



Thanks, H! I'm looking forward to finding out what the pair can do. I might even have a go at a mosaic.

Cheers,
Rick.

[allan gould]

Rick, that is a solid image and really nicely processed.

[DavidTrap]

Fingers crossed for 20/21 July (with 13/14 as plan B)

Already have my rig polar aligned in the backyard. Will attend to focusing and collimation after I've read the 6yo her bed time story

DT

[RobF]

Looking good Rick. Bit too pink/magenta if I'm going to by picky, but only because I'm green with envy ;)

Certainly a great combination of scope and camera.

[Martin Pugh]

Nicely done nevertheless Rick.

well done
Martin

[RickS]

Thanks, Allan.



Fingers crossed indeed. Hope you're making progress tonight, David. Very dewy again, but at least the sky is clear.



Thanks, Rob. I just did a 1:1:1 colour combination. Hope to get a G2V calibration done some time tonight.



Thanks very much, Martin.

[SkyViking]

That's a very good image I think, and you didn't spend much effort on the processing... :lol: :thumbsup:

[Tandum]

Good to see you got it all plugged in Rick. I'm sure you'll be happy with the camera.

[peter_4059]

Sure is a nice wide field Rick. Hopefully things dry up a bit here. The last two nights have been very dewy.

[Paul Haese]

Looks good Rick. Like the colours and you have all three objects nicely in the field.

[atalas]

Nice work Rick and congrats on the new camera.

[RickS]

Thanks, Rolf. I might spend some of my limited dark sky time grabbing some better quality data. There's a bunch of fainter nebulosity in there somewhere!



All going well so far, thanks Robin! I like everything except the long download time.



I have to go out on Monday and Tuesday nights, so they will probably be better, Peter :lol:



Thanks, Paul.



Thanks, Louie. IIRC, you had problems with the focuser on your Baby Q? I think that's where my tilt is coming from too. I'm using an Atlas with the focuser racked in as much as possible (still need a spacer to achieve that with the new camera). Ultimately, I think I'll bite the bullet and spend the big bucks required to replace the focuser with a Precise Parts adapter.

[Ross G]

A nice wide photo Rick.

You have a great combination of equipment.

Ross.

[atalas]

Hi Rick

An improvement since the BabyQ's return from Tak,and certainly less of an issue with a light camera like the QHY8 mate.

I've owned a FSQ106ED/FSQ106N and the Baby and they all showed signs of slight tilt.....the ST1100 is a big camera so,an after market focuser would be worth the money for your combo.

[RickS]

Thanks, Ross.

[Stevec35]

Nice work Rick. That's a very nice first light image.

Cheers

Steve

[RickS]

Thanks, Steve.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

That's nice Rick!

Cheers,

Justin.

[RickS]

Thanks, Justin. I've collected a few hours of Ha as well now so I might be able to do something with the combination...

[ozstronomer]

Missed this one, great image Rick. Looks like the FSQ/STL combo should produce some stunning results :thumbsup:

Bring on some dark skies!!

Cheers

[kepp]

I like it a lot

[RickS]

Thanks, Geoff and kepp!