'First Light' from Beaver Lake, Nebraska

Martin Pugh · #1 22-07-2009, 03:06 PM

Well hello everyone.
Well, what can I say about imaging opportunities from Omaha...not much at all! Having also given up the sheer convenience of a roll-off roof observatory in my backyard to a roll-out-of-the-garage affair, the light pollution, skyglow and weather all conspire to prohibit imaging here

.
Rolling out is far too tricky for a 12.5" RC, so I am also resigned to widefield astrophotography...great fun though.
Link here to my current set up if you would like to see.
http://www.martinpughastrophotography.id.a u/images/Equipment2.jpg
Suffice it to say, getting good quality data and enough of it is very hard to come by and I really cant wait for my remote imaging opportunity to come along. Even 30 minute sub exposures at f5 is tough from my location particularly through NB filters.
So here is NGC7000 and my first image in 7 months, consisting of 20 hours exposure through an FSQ106N, STL11K, and Astrodon SII, Ha and OIII filters.
http://www.martinpughastrophotography.id.a u/images/NGC7000_NB50PCT.JPG

thanks for looking and best regards
Martin

Hagar (Doug) · #2 22-07-2009, 03:18 PM

Hi Martin, what can I say? Magnificent comes to mind. Love your portable setup and it's location. Looks like a very nice place to live but the gear still looks like quite a handfull to wheel around.
Look forward to seeing more from you.

renormalised (Carl) · #3 22-07-2009, 03:30 PM

Good to see you posting back here, Martin. Great NB shot

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #4 22-07-2009, 03:39 PM

absolutely stunning. what a pic !!!

thanks for sharing.

telecasterguru (Frank) · #5 22-07-2009, 03:46 PM

NGC7000 never looked so good. Amazing amount of data.

Fantastic setup you have for being portable. Drool.

Frank

Craig_L · #6 22-07-2009, 03:50 PM

Amazing shot Martin.

Alchemy (Clive) · #7 22-07-2009, 04:09 PM

its nice to see a post from you in the USA, i think a few were relieved you had not entered the Malins this year

.

the mount dwarfs the scope, carefull you dont do your back lifting it around.

Hope all is treating you well in your new location, there should be enough widefield objects to entertain you for a little while.

cheers clive

Jen · #8 22-07-2009, 05:36 PM

wow what a beautiful looking piece of equipment you got there Martin very nice nice area there too lovely and green

Oh and back i was wondering how you were going over there

Its great to see some of your pics again and OMG that pic is stunning thanks for coming back and sharing your fine work with us cheers buddy

Peter Ward · #9 22-07-2009, 06:11 PM

Martin...we need to talk. That flimsy looking mount is clearly way too small for the OTA in question. I am amazed the image came out as well as it did

Tamtarn · #10 22-07-2009, 06:42 PM

Glad to have you back posting Martin.

Another super image.

DavidU (Dave) · #11 22-07-2009, 07:07 PM

A truly excellent effort.
Flimsy mount !

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #12 22-07-2009, 07:11 PM

Wow.

gregbradley · #13 22-07-2009, 07:56 PM

Super shot and welcome back. The boat is a nice touch!

Greg.

multiweb (Marc) · #14 22-07-2009, 09:18 PM

Fantastic picture!

By the look of the grass sounds like you're getting your fair share of rain...

astroron (Ron) · #15 22-07-2009, 11:54 PM

Great Shot Martin

and

back to posting your images

MrB (Simon) · #16 23-07-2009, 12:13 AM

Looks like an aussie-spec powerboard in the foreground there

VERY nice rig and awesome pic, thanks Martin.
Will be dreaming 'bout big mounts tonight.... (get your mind out of the gutter!)

Lester · #17 23-07-2009, 03:51 AM

Fantastic, thanks Martin.

h0ughy (David) · #18 23-07-2009, 09:05 AM

brilliant image - but i have a few niggling questions.

how can you manage to image on the "dock of the bay" with out it moving when you walk on the decking?

being that close to water and in depression do you get much dew?

Can you donate your imaging genes to the photonically challenged?

marc4darkskies (Marcus) · #19 23-07-2009, 09:27 AM

Hey Martin - welcome back! That's not bad for a short 20 hour exposure!

Nice one!

Cheers, Marcus

Martin Pugh · #20 23-07-2009, 11:07 AM

Many thanks one and all for such a nice welcome (back).

Well you know, when you only have one mount, it has to be used right? But when that eventually goes to a remote site, I will have to buy a new mount. I guess the big advantage is that I could return to Australia in 2012 with a new RC and PME.....assuming I hit it big in Vegas that is.

Houghy - to answer your questions:
How can you manage to image on the "dock of the bay" with out it moving when you walk on the decking?

Just like any observatory floor, when imaging you are not in there. Same principle. I control wirelessly from the house and do not venture on to the dock. The PC set up you see is now inside the boathouse as I have extended all of the cabling. I spent a long time polar aligning (drift method only) and have fixed a laser to the tripod leg and put a corresponding nail in the dock. I roll out, put the 3 legs on markings, raise the jack until the mount is perfectly level and the laser dot lands on the nail. I roll out, level up, connect up and turn on - 10-15 minutes.

Being that close to water and in depression do you get much dew?
Oh yes, very heavy dew most nights. A mate of mine modified the entire rear end of the versa plate on the PME. None of the original through the mount wiring exists now. So right up there on the mount, I have 4 x 12v DC and 1 x 5v DC which is inoperable at the moment. So, I can put anything up there, and that includes 2 heater belts to keep that dew at bay all night long.

Can you donate your imaging genes to the photonically challenged?
Sure mate, what do you want to know!

thanks again everyone

Martin