First light TSA120 (CentaurusA)

[Hagar (Doug)]

This is my first light image with my new Takahashi TSA120. Cent A was the target as it was nice and high, a known target to guage the image against and would allow me to see how much detail could be extracted.

I have some major balance/guiding issues to overcome as a result of using a side by side set up with the FSQ and may well go back to a single scope. No field flattener was used for this image so I am pretty happy with this result.

Image details:
Scope: Takahashi TSA120
Camera: QHY9 mono with Baader LRGB fllters
No Field flattener
10 X 5 minute luminance subs
6 X 5 minute each RGB
Total = 50,30,30,30 = 2hrs 20 minutes
Guiding cut the image total and half the original subs were discarded.

I have included the full frame and a crop of Centaurus A.

[gregbradley]

You're off to a flying start there.

Greg.

[Cloudyagain (Neale)]

Thats a great image Doug. Have spent a bit of time on this one myself lately (nothing I want to post though), and I think you have pretty much got it all in there. I prefer the 3rd image with it's subtle extra detail but the then I also prefer the "lightness" and extra colour of the second. Well done.

Neale.

[Paul Haese]

Nice work Doug. Colour looks good and the field looks remarkably flat on the wider shot. Maybe no need for a flattener.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Geat scope. Great pic.

[TrevorW]

Very nice Doug

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Congratulations on a pretty speccie first light image Doug.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Yep looks great Doug and I agree with Paul, with that chip at least, it looks like you probably don't really need the FF..?

Mike

[Satchmo]

What is the F# Doug ?

[renormalised (Carl)]

Nice work there, Doug. New scope looks a pearler

[Jeffkop (Jeff)]

Geeze Doug, thats the second "quickie" that has ended up MUCH better than OK !!!! I think you've found the secret mate ... Seems to be ... dont sweat over it, just take the minimum qty of subs ... and sit back and impress everyone ... well its so with me mate ... GREAT result.

[Tandum (Robin)]

Doug they are a 900mm FL @ F7.5 scope aren't they? Do both SBS scopes see out the dome slot over the entire sky?
Looking good..

[bokglob (Darrell)]

Great firstlight there Dougee This scope is a beauty, not just as an astrograph, but also amazing with an eyepiece in! Congrats.

[Lester]

Wonderful image Doug, thanks for the view. You got a classy scope there. All the best.

[Ross G]

Great shot Doug.

So sharp.

Thanks.

Ross.

[Hagar (Doug)]

Thanks Everyone. I am certainly impressed with the scope so far and maybe I won't need the Flattener. A bit more experimenting required.

Mark it is an F7.5 at 900mm FL.

I am strongly thinking of putting the SBS back in the corner and just running one scope on the mount at a time. Really the extra effort and hassles of running two scopes and only using one far outweighs the benifits of having both sitting waiting to be used.

Thanks again.

[richardo (Rich)]

Congrats Doug, this looks like a winner.. lovely sharp details and stars.

Have fun!

Rich

[DavidU (Dave)]

I think this is an awesome instrument Doug. Your going to pull some stunning work out of this scope.

[Hagar (Doug)]

Originally Posted by richardo

Congrats Doug, this looks like a winner.. lovely sharp details and stars.

Have fun!

Rich

Thanks Rich, I am looking forward to giving this scope a good work out. All I need is to get the weather Gods on side.

Originally Posted by DavidU

I think this is an awesome instrument Doug. Your going to pull some stunning work out of this scope.

Thanks David. Yes it's typical Tak quality right down to the Rack and pinion focuser.

[Paddy (Patrick)]

Nice work Doug.