This was my first run with the SCT for imaging, prompted by trying to get more detail from smaller objects.
I only had a 2 hour cloud free window but managed to extract maximum fun for the time spent
Each of the images are about 10x3 minutes of exposures (excepting the Blue Planetary – it’s a single 3 min exposure). I’m happy with how they turned out and I’ll be able to do better once I’m more familiar with the quirks of the scope.
I took the 30 minute Gabriela Mistral nebula while waiting for the galaxies to rise above our trees. It’s interesting to compare to the refractor view and with a 2 hour image I think it would show significantly more detail than the refractor.
The Blue Planetary is so small that I’d need a Hubble to show any detail.
I'm looking forward to adding more time to each of the images.
M83, NGC 5128, M104, NGC 3918, NGC 3324
Heck you have bagged more in a couple of hours than I can get over months☺
I couldnt manage anything at that fl...
What camera? I should know but old age memory etc I hope you understand.
Alex
Thanks for the nice comments Dunk and Alex.
I used the Nikon D5600 Alex. As usual the images look better before they're posted here too.
I can't get the detail that you can with a mono astro cam, but it is cruisy taking images with the dslr. There have been very few opportunities lately so I try to make the most of them.
I should mention that the reducer was used with the Edge too, so it's 1400mm focal length.
Thanks for the nice comments Dunk and Alex.
I used the Nikon D5600 Alex. As usual the images look better before they're posted here too.
I can't get the detail that you can with a mono astro cam, but it is cruisy taking images with the dslr. There have been very few opportunities lately so I try to make the most of them.
I should mention that the reducer was used with the Edge too, so it's 1400mm focal length.
1400 is not too bad I suppose but its getting up there..the eight is 1000 but thats my limit I think.
There is a lot to be said for dslr particularly when you have computer control or better an intervalometer..I love my intervalometer its so cool. I walk inside and can still see whats going on.
The mono is great but I have yet to get a full photo...everything I have done with mine has just been stacking everything and colouring it in☺ so simple that way.
Keep them coming we need to take the pressure off Raymo as often if not for him there would be nothing coming in.
Keep them coming we need to take the pressure off Raymo as often if not for him there would be nothing coming in.
Alex
Yeah I've noticed the lack of new images and Raymo keeping things going. Maybe everyone has bad weather lately?
I have a cold front on the way so nothing more from me for the next few days.
I use a stand alone guider which also controls camera exposures, so I don't need a laptop at the telescope. It's a fairly simple setup.
Great job Tony, a lot of results for such a short time frame. A bit of star
elongation here and there, but to be expected at that focal length.
I have an eyepiece projection image of The Blue Planetary if you want to
see it; its a funny object, looking quite different with each significant increase in magnification.
raymo
Some beautiful images there. Well done. I love Sombrero, it's on my list.
Can I ask some questions re: your guide setup ? I've recently aquired a 9.25 which at some point I'd like to add to my growing list of imaging setups. I also use a stand alone guider in the form of a Nextguide and I love it for the same reason that there is no need for a lappy on site. What is your guider guiding through ? Are you on a guide scope or an OAG ? I understand that by using the reducer and bringing your 8 down to 1400mm, it's obviously going to help with the required accuracy of the guiding but 1400 is still pretty long and I'm just wondering how you've gone about it ?
Ryan, my guiding setup is the same as I've been using for the refractors, a 50mm guidescope connected to the MGEN stand alone guider.
For a first go it worked reasonably well with the SCT though I'll need to fine tune a few things, such as worm mesh on the mount and balance in both axes (eg. stay east heavy so the worm is always pushing the ring gear).
I did fine tune PA this time. The Edge SCT has mirror locks and they seemed to work well enough. I see Off Axis Guiding recommended for SCT's but I'm hoping not to go there and just use the same guiding setup for various scopes.
I did have pedal to the metal, watching the cloud bank approaching on CFN and then appearing on the horizon - I've got setup fairly streamlined and luckily there were no glitches.
Done with 8" f/5 Newt+ barlow, 5 x 30 secs, unfortunately which eyepiece I failed to record. Also enlarged post stacking.
Best viewed at 25 or 33% screen.
raymo
Last edited by raymo; 28-03-2019 at 11:45 PM.
Reason: more text
