C14 Imaging

[icytailmark (Mark)]

What equipment do you need to start off with to do DSO imaging with a C14?(as a bare min). How hard is it to do for a newbie? How expensive is it?

I have a C14 on a Losmandy G11 with a gemini 2 goto.
I have a backyard pier also.

[Rod771 (Rod)]

Hi Mark

I'm very close to start prime focus (F10/F7) imaging with my C11. The focal length 2800 so I'm in for a challenge.

Here's some of the things on my list.

Guide scope 600mm focal length
Guide camera (DBK 21AU618 , I can use this for planetary imaging as well)
Dovetail plate
Tube rings
PHD software (free)
x.7 Focal reducer

Im using DSLR so I need a T ring and t adapter.

A lot research on your existing equipment will help too, for my mount that includes things like:
Setting the best backlash settings
Pec training etc

I'm budgeting around $1600 for the above list. The reducer and camera are more than half the budget so you'd be able to get your gear a little cheaper, I would think.

I'm not expecting it to be a walk in the park, but all I could say is have patience, determination and a very accurate polar alignment .

Wow! I almost forgot , you'll also need a camera CCD or DSLR .
CCD is usually more expensive depending on the sensor size. Your image field of view will depend on the sensor size of the camera and focal length of the scope. make sure you work out what targets you want to image before you purchase your camera.

Here's a great CCD calculator . Scroll down its under other downloads (CCDcal)

http://www.newastro.com/downloads

All the best

Rod

[aarong (Aaron)]

Hi Rod,

How do you use the DBK 21AU618 as a guide cam? I thought it was just for planetary work?

Cheers,
Aaron

[multiweb (Marc)]

As a newbie you're heading towards a world of pain starting to image with a C14 at prime focus on a G11. At the very least you should be familiar with off axis guiding and AO. You're pretty much at the limit of your mount as well. It can be done but you're starting in the deep end there and might get burnt out.

[Gem (Grant)]

Hi

I started out doing primefocus imaging with a C9.25 at F/10... so here is my advice:
- make sure you use a focal reducer and image at F/7 or F/6
- when you get a CCD or DSLR, make sure the pixel size isn't too small... there are graphs out there to line up your focal length with an optimal pixel size.
- You don't have to try off axis guiding, I managed at FL 2350mm using an 80mm refractor as a guide scope. It does take patience though and you need to be careful with the way you balance your scope.

Have fun!

[icytailmark (Mark)]

thanks guys i think im gunna stick to planetary imaging with my c14 and maybe buy a smaller scope to do dso imaging further down the track.

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

As a newbie you're heading towards a world of pain starting to image with a C14 at prime focus on a G11. At the very least you should be familiar with off axis guiding and AO. You're pretty much at the limit of your mount as well. It can be done but you're starting in the deep end there and might get burnt out.

Marc is absolutely right. A C14 weighs in at about 22-23 Kgs. A G11 is rated as having a capacity of about 25Kgs (or thereabouts) so you're already at or close to the max rating for the mount. This means that with the addition of some imaging gear, you will almost certainly exceed it. This will stress the mount and, for imaging at prime focus, make it susceptible to shakes and shudders. Guiding will be difficult.

I suggest that you consider a smaller and lighter scope or a heavier mount.

I have imaged with a C14 and guided with it, and got very pleasing results, but on a Titan mount.

But, if you really want to go ahead, you'll need, as a bare minimum, a Celestron .63 reducer, an off-axis guider and guide cam, and as a starter camera, a DSLR with the necessary T-ring connector.

An alternative is to fit a Hyper-Star adapter (if your C14 has been modified to accept one) and image at f2.8 or whatever it is. That will make it less susceptible to vibrations. But the Hyperstars are heavy beasts and your weight problem will be somewhat worsened.


Peter