Saturn May 2nd repro.

[U.K.Cowboy (Stuart)]

Seeing as the weather is a complete mess had another play with an IR Colour image from the 2nd. Quite pleased with the result considering it was taken at 22 degrees.

QHY Colour & mono Cams + 5x powermate & Auto Dob.

[Matt Wastell (Matt)]

That is a great image - especially for such a low alt. Colours are spot on too!

[EricB (Eric)]

Great work Stuart, your Saturn images are getting better and better. Would this one be your best Saturn this season?

Eric

[U.K.Cowboy (Stuart)]

Cheers Matt!
Thanks Eric yes for this scale I would say its my best so far this year. Just purchased a 3x tv barlow so hoping for some clear weather before Saturn gets too small. Will be interesting to see how the 3x tv compares with the powermate. Also just fitted a 6" USB laptop fan to the primary so I can have it running during imaging something I've not done before.

[EricB (Eric)]

Originally Posted by U.K.Cowboy

Will be interesting to see how the 3x tv compares with the powermate.

Let us know how you go. I am looking at getting one too. The x5 Powermate is too powerful for my conditions here. The x3 barlow could be right.

Eric

[asimov (John)]

Looks good to me Stuart. Regarding the 3X barlow. Should work out well for you I think. Don't forget, you can add in an extension to get anywhere in between F 3 & 5

Regarding the fan - Think you'll find having it running during imaging to be an imaging sin Cyclonic tube currents for one & vibration. You can get lucky sometimes to escape both but not in my experience..

[U.K.Cowboy (Stuart)]

Thanks Eric I shall report back on the 3x tv for sure.

Oh man! John are you saying i've wasted my time converting this very expensive fan crushing the leds like a man possessed cutting it down to size with a hot Stanley knife and duct taping onto the scope with expectations of Damian Peach standard images only to have my imaging bubble burst by talk of cyclonic tube currents!?!? Vibration was my main concern though it seems pretty smooth. Oh well we shall see lol

Yep I went for the 3x tv over the 2.5x powermate because of its extendible magnification and if/when I part with my DFK the 5x powermate will be sent with it.

[asimov (John)]

Sorry, didn't realize you had the 2.5X as well.

Yeah, I spent many fruitless hours with fans on Dobs/solid tube newts. The cyclonic effect in the full length tubed 12.5" Parks newt was something to behold - Totally destroyed any thoughts of imaging while it was running!

Mounting one without vibration was easy in the end; I used the 3 collimation screw heads in the cell to pick up on, using big rubber 'O' rings to attach the fan. I'm sure you get the picture: The fan suspended just behind the mirror cell on 3 rubber rings, yes? If all else fails, the concept works for cooling purposes..

[U.K.Cowboy (Stuart)]

I don't have the 2.5x John just the 5x. I shall keep the O ring method in mind thanks. The fan is not attached directly to the mirror cell. The scope being open truss may help with the turbulence?