I'm now testing the Ceravolo 300 Astrograph at f/9 (2700mm focal length). We had a brief spell of clearish weather on Friday night so I grabbed some Ha subs of M8 and got about an hour's worth which weren't too badly affected by the thin (and thick) clouds that kept rolling through. Seeing was pretty ordinary as well. Still, at least it wasn't raining like the rest of the new moon weekend here
The first image compares a small crop containing the Hourglass Nebula with a Hubble image. I'm pretty happy with the result, especially considering the conditions. The body of the Hourglass is only about 25 x 15 arcsec. I've seen this same comparison done before by others, most notably Rolf Olsen, so thanks for the idea!
The second image is only slightly cropped from the full field of my Alta U16M camera at this FL. I'd like to get some more data, including colour, if the skies ever clear.
Both Hubble and the Ceravolo appear to be performing to their theoretical limits for ground based and spaced based telescope.
Thanks, Mark. I think Hubble is probably closer but I'm doing my best
Quote:
Originally Posted by Octane
Wow, the detail in the Hourglass Nebula... I feel like diving into it!
Thanks, H!
Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
Yeh excellent Rick nice work indeed, I like these comparisons, fun to compare and find stuff in your own data
How easy is doing the change over in FL's with this scope?
Mike
Thank you, Mike. It has been a bit of a stretch going from an image scale of 3.5 arcsec to 0.67 but with an OAG and some practice at deconvolution I think I'm getting the hang of it. I probably should have spent some time in between with the AG12. That's my next scope commissioning project
I love these sorts of comparisons - its just blows your mind away what amateurs are capable of these days (if you guys could be called "amateur" - certainly not in quality).
This beast is looking incredibly promising Rick. Looking forward to drooling next time I see you in action (or the AG12, or both!!).
I'll delete this if you wish but the best clear skies and seeing I've ever experienced were Wiruna in 2010. Didn't get any Ha data and the lum is blown out, but a tight crop of the RGB from my 8" Newt gave this. I shudder to think what the Ceravolo could do from such steady skies.
Its a bit sad that's it almost Astrofest and we're still struggling to get a decent new moon weekend!
Hoping to get some time away with the kids next month - fingers crossed. I'm travelling for work around AF alas this year Rick. Might save me some money though not seeing what you have
The M8 was with the QHY9 (among first serious pics I took with it) with 1000mm (F5) focal length - FOV would normally frame M8 nicely but nothing like the arcsec/pixel you have. Peter Ward has commented before about the first 80% of engineering being relatively straight-forward, then to get more you're really have to pay for quality. Ahem - I think my image is struggling to be 20% of your first light snaps rather than 80%
Its a bit sad that's it almost Astrofest and we're still struggling to get a decent new moon weekend!
Hoping to get some time away with the kids next month - fingers crossed. I'm travelling for work around AF alas this year Rick. Might save me some money though not seeing what you have
The M8 was with the QHY9 (among first serious pics I took with it) with 1000mm (F5) focal length - FOV would normally frame M8 nicely but nothing like the arcsec/pixel you have. Peter Ward has commented before about the first 80% of engineering being relatively straight-forward, then to get more you're really have to pay for quality. Ahem - I think my image is struggling to be 20% of your first light snaps rather than 80%
Catch you another time then, Rob. And I wouldn't want your kids to be without shoes because I introduced you to another sexy scope
Good gear definitely makes a difference and allows you to get decent results with less effort. Either way, getting the best result with any set up is hard work and that challenge is what it's all about for me. Oh, and I'd definitely rate your image better than you do
Quote:
Originally Posted by marc4darkskies
Nice result Rick! That Ceravolo looks like a keeper and having a dual FL system is a real bonus!
Cheers, Marcus
Thanks, Marcus. Very happy with it so far. Any news on the delivery of your new drool-worthy beast?
... Any news on the delivery of your new drool-worthy beast?
End of August at this stage. Pain really, much of September I'm not going to be around so with the configuration I need to do (wiring, software etc) first light may not happen until Oct Excitment is starting to build though!
End of August at this stage. Pain really, much of September I'm not going to be around so with the configuration I need to do (wiring, software etc) first light may not happen until Oct Excitment is starting to build though!
I'm sure you could find somebody who would mind it until you get back Look forward to hearing how you go and, of course, seeing some images!
Unreal Rick, i for wonder about these hubble images, hour glass, cats eye, eskimo neb etc, they seem impossible to reach for some of us; so, with guys like yourself doing these incredable works, it does put the expance of space and size into an understandable perspective, tho, not just that, but also the perspective to what gear you use for this scale of imagary and work into producing them, compared to us little 'astro folk
And ill admit, I never knew the hourglass was even in the Lagoon !
And thanx also to RobF for the view in the 8", good stuff, I have now found it in one of my images, tho be it from an ED80 from a few yrs back, Lol, ,
Chalk one up for your self Rick
Great show ! ! !
