Quote:
Originally Posted by Bassnut
Right now my arc sec/pixel is 0.98 and set to get worse (-:. But despite a whole gamit of reasons not to, Ill give it a shot. Other factors mitigate the problem, I just fancy "different" pics. Difficult, unusual images often please more than just technical quality.
Cheers
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Technically, once you rework the PEC using Bisque's PrecisePEC sw, you should be able to get down to a peak-to-peak of ~.8 arcsecs. I've read from a few sources that out of the box they operate at around 3.5-4 arcsecs. Under their stated >5 arcsecs. I've got the Titan tuned to 2.6 arcsecs, but I think I could get it a little lower unless I'm up against manufacturing errors. Will never reach the 1.5 or lower though.
The only thing thats against you now is seeing. I think you should reconsider an AO if you're serious about high resolution narrowfield work. You could investigate using a Dichroic Beam Splitter which would address your AO concerns. As they split the on axis light to two imaging cameras, you wont have problems finding guide stars etc. They work well with NB filters as the DBS is located before the filter/camera. One light path goes to the imaging camera, the other to the AO/Guider so you get the best of both worlds - none of this off axis or separate guide scope stuff. There are a few manufactures - RCOS is one of them. I think their prices start at US$3k for the unit. Requires 3.25" of back focus which wouldn't be an issue for you. Alternatively, if you didn't want to use one light path to guide, you could do narrowband (ha,SII,OIII) and broadband (R,G,B,) with two cameras simultaneously - now that is cool - or better still go with your narrowband and have the other camera do some NIR work with those Astrodon NIR filters. Nothing like capturing data, that the typical Joe can't access with his gear.
You wanted unusual images - NIR and NIR hybrids (mixing with narrowband) is getting up there. Perhaps you could turn that ST8 of yours into the guider and get yourself a large NABG imaging chip. This would allow you to resample your images. In many ways I wish I had not gone the ABG path with the STL11k. Would have much preferred the sensitivity. The STL11k is a fun/beginners chip for those who don't want to deal with blooms and the like.
I'll shut up now and stop trying to persuade you to spend more money. Hey, what are you still doing standing beside the ME with that cheezy grin on your face... haven't you got work to do - why isn't it mounted on the pier yet. Geezzz I don't know. ...What! you're not going to smash a champagne bottle over it and give it a funky name. Whats wrong with you Fred.
