This season's go at 5128

[kosh]

That's really quite impressive considering the short subs.
There is nice detail in the dust lanes, and the noise is not overly apparent.
Nice stars too. Well done Raymo.

[raymo]

Thanks Goran, It's a pity the image is so small; I wish I had more
focal length. I find the quality drop off when using my budget Barlow,
or eyepiece projection, unacceptable.
raymo

[Aussie_Dave]

Impressive raymo. Which of your scopes did you achieve this with?

[raymo]

Hi Dave, Thanks very much. I used my 8" f/5 Newt. I only use my 80mm achro for objects that need a larger field of view.

[Aussie_Dave]

Originally Posted by raymo

Hi Dave, Thanks very much. I used my 8" f/5 Newt. I only use my 80mm achro for objects that need a larger field of view.

Nice, is that the short tube SW raymo?

I've been avoiding the AP section for a some time because of AP envy. Just been checking out some AP shots on here recently to see what I could achieve with my gear but atm I only have clock drive, wedge with no dec motor so I'm limited to what I can do. I'd prefer to do a handful of long exposures rather then spend an hour with many short exposures and then hours of processing.

It's good to see what is possible.

[raymo]

I don't know of a short tube SW Dave. Mine is f/5, the tube is approx. 910mm long. In the pic it has a black dew shield fitted.
The longest exposures you will be able to get with your rig will be between around 60 to 240 secs depending on the focal length of your scope. With mine, with really good polar alignment, the longest exposures
I can routinely get are 90 to 120 secs depending on the declination of the object I'm imaging. Actually, I think they do an f/4 version which would have a shorter tube, but I prefer the f/5 as coma is not as bad, and the images are a bit bigger.
This is my usual rig.

[Aussie_Dave]

Thanks for the tips raymo.

Sorry, I must be thinking of other short tube scopes. Have an older, shorter tube 8", non branded Asian scope here, tube length 640mm FL800mm/F4 but with larger spider veins than your's, cast alloy type. Will keep that as a visual scope only and work on the C8 (FL2000mm) for now but I don't think I'll get the 240sec shots with not having the dec motor and it only having a step motor and long focal length.

I also have a Meade Starfinder EQ with duel axis motors that's untested. Not sure if they have step motors or servo's. I'm also a bit lost with the alignment process. Have read various tutorials and I need to learn my stars.

Nice setup btw.

[raymo]

We've gone off topic somewhat here. The best you will likely manage with the C8 is 45 to 60 secs depending upon the declination of the object.
You can improve this substantially by using a focal reducer. Not having a dec motor makes no difference with unguided imaging, as it is not used.
Stepper motors are fine.
You only need to learn a few stars for each season.
Astrobaby does good alignment video tutorials.
raymo

[Aussie_Dave]

Cheers raymo, good advice there for me. Will check out the video tutorials during the week.