The Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253) in Sculptor

Octane (Humayun) · #1 22-09-2009, 03:53 AM

All,

I headed on over to JohnG's place out in Cootamundra over the weekend and was lucky enough to make use of his lovely dark skies with an SQM reading of 21.29 on Sunday night.

This was first light for my new 5" APO (ED127).

All I can say is that this scope is awesome. It delivers an excellent flat field, though there is slight elongation that I noticed on the right hand side of the frame. Though, this could have been me not tightening the lock for the camera tight enough.

My dew heater was not put on correctly (about an inch behind the objective lens) and as a result, I was all dewed out. I managed 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Thank you so much John, for your kindness, help and hospitality.

Read and view here.

Comments and critique, welcome.

Regards,
Humayun

leinad (Dan) · #2 22-09-2009, 04:06 AM

Stunning work Humayan! Love it!

How many darks were used and flats ? Curious...

Octane (Humayun) · #3 22-09-2009, 04:11 AM

Hi mate,

Thanks for the compliment.

An hour's worth of darks, 19 flats, and 19 flat darks.

Regards,
Humayun

Quote:

Originally Posted by leinad

Stunning work Humayan! Love it!

How many darks were used and flats ? Curious...

spearo (Frank) · #4 22-09-2009, 06:00 AM

lovely shot
well done mate
frank

iceman (Mike) · #5 22-09-2009, 06:40 AM

That's a beauty, H. You have to be happy with that! Lovely contrast.

telecasterguru (Frank) · #6 22-09-2009, 06:58 AM

Mr Octane,

Fabulous image and beautifully processed.

The ED127 is working a treat and obviously the effort put in gathering all the data and calibration frames has paid off.

Well done.

Frank

Deeno · #7 22-09-2009, 07:00 AM

Wow
Heaps of detail.
Nice going

sjastro · #8 22-09-2009, 07:12 AM

Very detailed image Humayun.

Regards

Steven

multiweb (Marc) · #9 22-09-2009, 07:25 AM

That's a great pic. Very vibrant colors, sharp contrast and details. Top work Mr. H.

Hagar (Doug) · #10 22-09-2009, 08:16 AM

Very nice H, you have to be happy with a scope which produces images like this. Just imagine the results you'll get when you know the scope a little better.

Beautiful

allan gould · #11 22-09-2009, 08:25 AM

Very nice shot Humayun. The slight off center stars (RHS) that you mentioned is probably due to the camera being slightly off centre due to the focuser and its inability to stay square to the focal plane. I had this and thus wound up with a Moonlight focuser replacement.
Glad you lihe scope.

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #12 22-09-2009, 08:43 AM

thats an excellent image, sharp, bright and colourfull

Then again fella, i would expect nothing less from you

h0ughy (David) · #13 22-09-2009, 08:47 AM

in lieu of the moonlight focuser (though i do recommend you get one with a motor) get the hotech 2" camera adapter from Mysatroshop - lovely bit of work, centres the camera and holds it square and nice'n tight

oh and what a lovely image you have - so you were passing through and decided to call in on John?

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #14 22-09-2009, 09:14 AM

Beautiful image H.
Looking forward to seeing more work from you now.

DavidU (Dave) · #15 22-09-2009, 09:23 AM

That 127ED comes up very well. And of course your skill H.
Great image thanx

JohnG (John) · #16 22-09-2009, 09:38 AM

Turned out great H....

Glad the skies co-operated on Sunday evening, bloody cold though

.

Cheers mate

batema (Mark) · #17 22-09-2009, 11:05 AM

Thats a lovely shot. Also I like the way when I look at your images there is a stack of information thst helps as well. I'll have a shot at this tonight. School holidays. Yahoo.

Mark

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #18 22-09-2009, 11:53 AM

Tis a nice shot H.

Dave

atalas · #19 22-09-2009, 03:06 PM

Hi H

Congrats on the new scope and a very nice first light dude!

TheDecepticon · #20 22-09-2009, 07:01 PM

That is very nice! I have been thinking about one of these scopes myself, but still on the wish list. Great colours.