Well finally got around to using the new camera, CFW, OAG and Loadstar I have had sitting around since January
Mated to the AG12 the new camera, while smaller, provides me with 0.83"/pixel, compared to 1.62"/Pixel with the larger FLI PL16803, so is intended to provide some useful image scale for smaller things like PN's and galaxies particularly on nights of good seeing. It is coupled to the Starlightxpress Off Axis guider using the SX Loadstar as the autoguider, so this will assist with higher resolution work too by providing more accurate guiding.
The new gear all fitted and went together no problem and performed without a hitch, everything spoke to everything else - phew. Having two cameras that are compatible running through the same instance of software meant I could dither guide for the first time so no dark frames were necessary and no flats were required
This was a test image and the data was collected over two nights, the first night was reasonably good seeing and I grabbed 45min of Ha before cloud came over, the next night (last night) was clear but crap seeing ...but I gathered the OIII and SII anyway - better to have something rather than nothing
The Starlightxpress gear is very capable and works very well, so far I am very happy, when I get cooperative seeing this system will really rock
This is a straight SII Ha OIII (No RGB) of a small but relatively bright planetary in Musca which measures just 3' X 2' in angular size so I thought it a good first subject to test the resolution of the system
Ahhh, at last - already looking good.
Nice not having to worry much about calibration - things get very sensitive to seeing though at that scale.
regards Ray
Ahhh, at last - already looking good.
Nice not having to worry much about calibration - things get very sensitive to seeing though at that scale.
regards Ray
Cheers Ray
In the end after my reluctance to change over imaging systems (lazy) the process was quite straight forward, everything went together and worked in unison first go, nice to see sub frame sets that don't need aligning too ...new experience for me
Quote:
Originally Posted by astroron
Thumbnail image does not enlarge for me ?
Hopefully it is working now Ron..?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Larryp
That looks really good, Mike
Cheers Lozza
Quote:
Originally Posted by tilbrook@rbe.ne
Impressive to get that much detail Mike!!
The comparison with the 8m Gemini south makes it even more so.
Cheers,
Justin.
The idea based on the equipment specs is to be able to utilise the better seeing that I get now outside Canberra (compared to Newcastle anyway! ) the off axis guide and being inside a dome, together, at least in theory, I should be able to get slightly higher resolution images of galaxies and PN's etcetera
The Gemini South comparison, as I have said many times before , provides a base from which one can see what details are present in an image, not to suggest there is some sort of miraculous force at play that allows a 12" scope in my backyard to actually compete with an 8m giant up in the Andes... some people just can't help themselves (not you )
Quote:
Originally Posted by RickS
Looks great, Mike, and the comparison demonstrates that everything is working very well. Looking forward to more...
Cheers,
Rick.
Yep, all working nicely, just need the seeing now
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Originally Posted by dvj
Nice one Mike!
Cheers John
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rod771
That's awesome Mike, Well done
Glad you enjoyed it Rod...looks like a gem stone huh?
That's pretty bluddy good Mike! That's a tiny sucker and the detail is very impressive. I'll bet Aggie is pleased you've lightened the load on her too!
That's pretty bluddy good Mike! That's a tiny sucker and the detail is very impressive. I'll bet Aggie is pleased you've lightened the load on her too!
Cheers, Marcus
Thanks Marcus, yes considering it is only about 4 Jupiters X 3 Jupiters in size and with just 1120mm FL it is showing a lot of promise. As I have mentioned before, the seeing is better here than what I had in Neiwie, so when the good nights come I will be interested to see just what she can do. Having a scope that can provide a whopping 2.6deg diagonal field with the 16803 and high resolution close ups with a smaller finner pixel chip like this....makes me want two AG12's now
Yes the 75% lighter imaging rig looks to have made a difference too
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevec35
Nicely done Mike. Obviously a lot of potential with this setup.
Cheers
Steve
Cheers Steve, yes I am looking forward to working with it
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leonardo70
congrats for the new toy Mike .... really nice result.
Excellent pic Mike, very smick. Geez, I never thought I see WW Mike go proper NF, I'm impressed . I'm sure you'll enjoy the improved sampling. Wellcome to the dark side, where zooming in is cooler .
Nice looking data Mike. Heaps of detail and it must be nice to have one scope to handle two scales. I really prefer the wider looking image myself. Is this a full scale image or a reduced sample?
Excellent pic Mike, very smick. Geez, I never thought I see WW Mike go proper NF, I'm impressed . I'm sure you'll enjoy the improved sampling. Wellcome to the dark side, where zooming in is cooler .
He he, plenty of postage stamp images on the way, I'm a mini Fred now ...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Haese
Nice looking data Mike. Heaps of detail and it must be nice to have one scope to handle two scales. I really prefer the wider looking image myself. Is this a full scale image or a reduced sample?
Good potential for the future.
Cheers Paul, one scope - two cameras, rather than two scopes - one camera Sorry, which framing exactly do you prefer...errr I always supply several
...but I gathered the OIII and SII anyway - better to have something rather than nothing 
...new experience for me 
) the off axis guide and being inside a dome, together, at least in theory, I should be able to get slightly higher resolution images of galaxies and PN's etcetera 
(not you 
I always supply several 
