First Light with RC8

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

The new scope arrived yesterday, with the rain.
But the clouds cleared this afternoon and tonight is clear and cold. We're expecting it to drop below 0C in the morning. brrrrr
This is a hodge podge of different length subs totally 1hr and 34min using the Canon 550D.
I wasn't sure how the little "finder guider" would go with such a long focal length, but it's doing fine atm with 5min subs. I'll try for 8min later.
Oh, and I didn't take any flats, I'll have to order another light box off Peter. I'll take some tshirt flats in the morning if I remember.

Examining the full frame of the pic, I notice that the stars are "off" on the right hand side. I put that down to possibly the camera not being quite square in the focuser. The stars on the left are very nice.
Tonight I'll frame accordingly as I'm loathe to move the camera if I'm going to do flats in the morning.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Those curious little dark squares around some of the stars seem to be compression artefacts.

[RobF (Rob)]

Looking good so far JJJ!

[gregbradley]

Gee that's a good start. Very nice.

Greg.

[Deeno]

Great start JJJ
Those RC8's seem to perform exceptionally well for the money....

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Looks good JJJ. Nice detail in the core and a quite a few small galaxies appearing.

[Rigel003 (Graeme)]

Well done. Nice result. Very natural looking and good star field.

[TrevorW]

About the same as my first effort of M83 with an 8"RC

keep up the good work, you are improving in leaps and bounds and are giving your hobby the time and dedication needed to get results

[stevous67 (Steve M)]

Hi Jeanette,

For a first light, what a great start - congratulations.

Steve

[naskies (Dave)]

Congrats! I picked up a pre-loved RC8 yesterday, but have yet to get the right bits to attach it to my SLR. I'm glad to see that there's lots of potential.

By the way - are you using a reducer and/or a field flattener? Or do you have your 550D directly attached prime focus?

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I'm not using a reducer or a flattener. I really don't think it will need it. Tonight I'll make sure the camera is sitting squarely in the focuser and see if that fixes the eggy stars on the right side of my images. I've only added one 25mm extension ring before the focuser.