NGC6744 from dark skies

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I've tried this one before with a DSLR (not modded) ages ago and didn't think much of it. Did a much better job of it this time with the SXVF-H9. Around 3 and a half hours (22x10min) with Vixen R200SS. Very happy to pickup mag 17.5 galaxies in the top left hand corner


The R200SS is a bugger to try to collimate though. Anyone know of any decent software (that doesn't cost the earth) that can be used with the SX? I tried using Metaguide with DMK but when I swapped it out and put the SX in the collimation was out.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Nice one Paul. It's a busy background.

[h0ughy (David)]

you are rubbing in the dark skies bit........ i like what you done

[alan meehan (Alan)]

Lovely and smooth Paul great detail ,ps leave us some dark skies
AL

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I'll leave you all the dark skies you'd like Al, but they way things are going atm there may not be too many photons left



Thanks guys.

[gregbradley]

That's a really good luminance shot of NGC6744 which is one of the fainter galaxies.

I used to have a Vixen R200SS. It is a bugger to collimate. Get one of those cheap laser Newt collimators that reflect the beam back onto a bullseye target in a cutout in the collimator.

Adjust the mirrors so the beam is in the centre and you're collimated.

Takes about 4 or 5 minutes and is easy to do.

Greg.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Thanks Greg. I tried the laser but when I looked at the image defocused on the SX the central obstruction was way off. Maybe i should try again. I'm a very newbie newbie when it comes to newts, let alone f/4 newts. I'll get there

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Thats a cool 6744 Paul, it's a lovely looking galaxy but yes quite faint.

Do you remove the corrector to collimate?

Can you use the Catseye tools?

Mike

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Thanks Mike. No corrector on it, just a plain straight newt. I've never tried a Catseye before, refractors don't need it and SCTs are much easier.

[Hagar (Doug)]

Hi Paul, nice image Mate. I have used CCDInspector for collimation with good results. I use the out of focus star collimation and found it to be pretty good. I don't know if you have a copy of this software.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Thanks Mike. No corrector on it, just a plain straight newt. I've never tried a Catseye before, refractors don't need it and SCTs are much easier.

I see, then the Catseye tools it is then! Get the Telecat Cheshire/sight tube unit and the Infinity Autocollimator from Jim Fly, this is what I use on the F3.8 AG12 - tell him I sent you

I see there is also a coma corrector for this scope, perhaps the SXV-H9 chip is too small to really need it but why don't you get that too?

Mike

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Yep got the comma corrector Mike. Hardest part was finding the right spacers to make up the 38mm needed to add to the 17mm chip face to T thread. Got it though. I'll look into the catseye then, hell what's another piece of equipment lol. He's not going to double the price if i do that is he?

Thanks Doug. I don't have CCDInspector but I'll look into it and see which is going to cost me less, Mikes catseye setup (after i let Jim know who sent me) or the CCD Inspector.

[gregbradley]

[I see there is also a coma corrector for this scope, perhaps the SXV-H9 chip is too small to really need it but why don't you get that too?

Mike[/QUOTE]


As I recall Mike the Baader MPCC is higher quality than the Vixen one and a lot of users who are happy with it.

Greg.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Great pic. Very nice details in the spiral arms.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

The one I have isn't the Vixen one but I'll have to check which brand

[RobF (Rob)]

Great shot of a faint little blighter Paul!

[alan meehan (Alan)]

Paul i have a newt laser collimator laser i will bring it to astrofest
AL

[Ross G]

Hi Paul,

Great photo.

Sharp and lots of detail.

I have an old green tube R200SS that I am trying to get operational. It's good to see what the scope is capable of.


Thanks.


Ross.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Thanks Al, I may bring the R200 to AF, not sure yet. Don't know what I'm bringing yet, better start thinking about it I suppose seeing as its only two weeks away.

Thanks Ross, its definitely a capable scope.

I checked the collimation last night using CCDInspector. I'd originally only adjusted the collimation using a defocused bright star and centering the secondary on the screen. Checking with CCDInspector showed I was only off collimation by 2.8 pixels. And the way the seeing was I couldn't better it. Pretty happy with that.

[iceman (Mike)]

That's a really nice image, Paul! Great job!