First light for SBIG STL-11000M and Takahashi FSQ-106N (single H-alpha exposure)

Octane (Humayun) · #1 12-07-2010, 10:02 PM

Hi all,

I wasn't going to post this but can't contain my pride and wanted to share this with you.

This is the very, very first CCD image I've ever taken. The last five years has been all DSLR based.

Until the clouds came along and spoilt the party, the plan was to spend the entire night capturing this region. All I ended up with was just a single 10-minute exposure.

Focus is slightly off, but, you get that being the first time, and, everything.

So, anyway, this is a single 10-minute exposure, self-guided, through a 12 nm Astronomiks 2" H-alpha filter. Camera was operating at -30 degrees at only 65% cooling power. Could have pushed it further, but, what for?

The potential is there to make an absolute killer imaging combination. Now, if Baader would hurry up and supply SBIG the filters I've paid for (as part of the deal) I might be able to attempt H-alpha+LRGB soon.

Click here.

I should add, that this wouldn't have been possible without John Glossop's advice and walk through of CCDSoft. He got me going. Thanks, John!

H

multiweb (Marc) · #2 12-07-2010, 10:06 PM

Very sweet shot. On the way to great stuff.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #3 12-07-2010, 10:09 PM

Great result Humayun

Looks beautiful, what a fabulous result first up. I received your email and have been looking at it for a couple of hours. I've been comparing it to my own m8/20 from a couple of weeks ago and it just blows mine away! Looks like you're well on your way

strongmanmike (Michael) · #4 12-07-2010, 10:10 PM

Well congratulations Humi, a nice start

Sorry to hear the deal still hasn't come together

...I'm sure they will come eventually

Mike

Octane (Humayun) · #5 12-07-2010, 10:15 PM

Thank you, my fine-feathered friends.

Thanks, Marc. Your advice via email has been noted and I'll see what I can do to regulate temperatures. As mentioned, a RoboFocus setup will be on the cards in the very near future, so, I can put my feet up once it's all calibrated and doing its thing.

Chris, you know you need to get yourself an FSQ. Go on, do it!

Mike, I had a look on OPT's site earlier today. If you check out their Baader filter section, it's all backordered! There must be some serious demand for filters or the manufacturing facility just isn't big enough?

Cheers!

H

DavidU (Dave) · #6 12-07-2010, 10:18 PM

I have been waiting for this.
Verrrry nice ! Awesome kit you have now (except filters)

marc4darkskies (Marcus) · #7 12-07-2010, 10:20 PM

Congrats Humayun! Welcome to the club!

Look forward to your first colour shot!

Cheers, Marcus

DavidTrap (David) · #8 12-07-2010, 10:26 PM

You'd have to be happy with that! Looking forward to seeing you apply your talents to this new rig.

DT

dugnsuz (Doug) · #9 12-07-2010, 10:28 PM

Beautiful first light H - very smooth indeed.
Doug

Octane (Humayun) · #10 12-07-2010, 10:32 PM

Dave, yeah, I think I've got everything I need until a Paramount ME and a nice big fat RCOS are within reach.

This hobby is the worst hobby ever created. Whoever first thought to photograph the stars was a sadist!

Thank you, Marcus. I, too, am looking forward to that day! It's been a dream of mine to do Rho Ophiuchus properly. Looks like I'll probably miss out this year. Never to mind!

David, cheers, mate!

Doug, thank you. I'm as proud as punch!

H

Hagar (Doug) · #11 12-07-2010, 11:38 PM

Go for it H..... One hell of a field of view and I know in your hands it will all produce some stunning images. This is a great start, now thye world is yours. When do you get your RGB filters so you can really get things talking?

Nice work for a oner.

TrevorW · #12 12-07-2010, 11:47 PM

Well done H great expectations considering your DSLR work

richardo (Rich) · #13 13-07-2010, 12:35 AM

Congrats on your very first single light, and pretty darn fine for one exposure H!
This setup is a winning combo and judging from this single result, you'll rock our socks off..
Damn nuisance about the filters though.

In the meantime, just hammer us with some Ha data.

All the best
Rich

troypiggo (Troy) · #14 13-07-2010, 04:18 AM

Well done mate. That's an impressive single exposure. Can't get over the pin-point stars.

SkyViking (Rolf) · #15 13-07-2010, 06:01 AM

Congratulations H, that's a fantastic first shot!
That single exposure is more smooth than 100 of mine stacked haha

Oh well, I guess I need a proper CCD too some time soon...

gregbradley · #16 13-07-2010, 09:02 AM

That's a wonderful shot Humi. Congrats on the new gear.
I just got a Robofocus with a special mounting bracket for my FSQ and I think it is well worth it as the FSQ has a small critical focus zone. Focus will also shift with temperature changes noticeably so keep that in mind. A temperature drop of 2-3C will mean focus will be slightly off. 5C change and it will show noticeably out of focus images.

I like the FSQ106N over the ED version. There are many similarities, but the 106N seemed to be able get richer colours - not sure why that would be but its definitely noticeable when you have used both. The 106N also has the better focuser and focus lock. The ED has better backfocus and better colour correction (the 106N has excellent colour correction).

As to getting -35C I found with my STL -35C seemed to be the sweet spot for the chip and noise. Not a lot of improvement over -30C but dark current on typical CCD chips halves every 6C drop in temp. Images seemed a tad cleaner. -25C though is a temp you most likely will achieve year round. Also my STL cooled to -43C below ambient which was better than the advertised amount of -40C whereas other cameras I have had always fell short of advertised claims. -25C is a useable temp and means you can have one set of darks that can be used almost all year (except maybe one or two hot nights in summer).

Greg.

avandonk · #17 13-07-2010, 09:38 AM

Looks pretty good to me H. The only advice I can give you is wrap your FSQ106 in dew heater straps and control the temperature with one of these

http://www.oceancontrols.com.au/CET-004.html

Fit the thermistor to the bulkiest part of the OTA ie near the front of the optic under the dew strap. These thermostats have an adjustable temperature interval to minimise hysteresis.

Set the temperature to just above ambient and wait for equlibration. Then focus and focus will NOT change even if ambient temperature drops by 20C!

I heat my 300mm lens this way at ALL times so it is ready to go. In winter it stops any chance of condensation as well.

Look forward to seeing what you can do with more time.

It is our job to try to understand our Universe. Astrophotography is one of the most masochistic methods.

Bert

Tandum (Robin) · #18 13-07-2010, 10:10 AM

Looks like a winning combo H. Congrats.

renormalised (Carl) · #19 13-07-2010, 10:18 AM

One sub....nice shot, H

Looking forward to future adventures!!!

jase (Jason) · #20 13-07-2010, 11:56 AM

Well done Humayun! Pleasing to see more people give the KAI11002/FSQ combo a shot. An all weather 3.5 arcsec/pixel set up - you'll still pull off killer images even when the jet stream is a complete mess. It makes it fun to use. Looking at your previous images, you've got a good eye and the patience to deliver some exceptional work. Eagerly awaiting new images from you. Now its time to get busy.