I have mentioned here before that I'm returning to the hobby after a 25-year absence. I have a brand new Meade SCT 10" f/10 on top of a Losmandy G11, plus autoguiding kit, software, a 60Da DSLR all of which is going nicely.
But I also kept my first proper scope, a 27-year-old Vixen 5" f/5 Newtonian, that for the last 25 years has essentially been a spider breeding station and less of a light bucket and more of a rain bucket. It has been variously under the house, in the roof cavity, and outside on the verandah for the past 15 years. I just couldn't bring myself to throw it away.
Well, a couple of months ago I pulled it out, cleaned up the structure, replaced all the rusted screws, cannibalized the old 0.95" fittings to build something that would accept my new 1.25" eyepieces and camera adapter, and sent the mirrors off for recoating.
Last night I first got to attach the old scope to the new imaging kit. I gave it an hour (2 x 3 min subs) on the Horsehead/Flame nebula. I should have given it two or three! It worked a treat - and PHD guiding the light, short, low f/r scope was an absolute dream compared to the big SCT.
So this isn't exactly a "first light" shot - but the last time this scope collected photons, there were no laptops, no CCDs, and Craig Stark, the author of PHD Guiding, was about 12. So it's close enough. :-)
Hi Jon,
I am curious to know how after 25 yrs away, you are able to
seemingly immediately use all the latest gear to produce an image
that many would kill for. I presume that you have either kept up to
date with magazines etc: or you are exceedingly smart, and climbed
the learning curve super fast. Either way, congratulations;great
image.
raymo
Hi Jon,
I am curious to know how after 25 yrs away, you are able to
seemingly immediately use all the latest gear to produce an image
that many would kill for. I presume that you have either kept up to
date with magazines etc: or you are exceedingly smart, and climbed
the learning curve super fast. Either way, congratulations;great
image.
raymo
I have been a little obsessed over the past four months since I got my 10" scope. And I've spent most nights banging my head against PHD/autoguiding, weight balance, flexure, etc. And most mornings banging my head against the difference between "auto white balance" and "camera white balance" etc. in DSS. And so on :-)
But the old 5" Newt is simplicity itself to guide and image with compared to the heavy high f/r 10". I was really happy with this image :-) I have about 200Gb of blurry, streaky, elongated, very ordinary images on my hard drive :-)
Actually, it occurs to me that this little picture and story reinforces a point that can't be made too often (and I wish I'd paid more attention to it when I purchased my gear): spend much more on the mount than on the telescope. This was a 30 yo scope that can be bought new now from AstroShop for $245. On top of a mount more than ten times that price.
Nice looking shot. There is also the issue of guiding a 625mm focal length OTA vs guiding 2500mm fl OTA. I gather that 'obsessed' is the only way to do astrophotography - which is why it isn't for me. Congratulations on the effort, it's paying off.
That is a great story! .. great pic too...
