Ten Chain Hill October new Moon - Page 2

AlexN · #21 25-09-2009, 03:12 PM

ps - your 253 image is quite nice indeed.. I think it only needs the slightest little touch up and it will be a beauty!

lesbehrens (Les) · #22 25-09-2009, 04:52 PM

hi. i mite make it. have lots of q's for u all to help me with.
les

RobF (Rob) · #23 25-09-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmrid

Yep. Me too - but in addition to K3CCD drifting, I'm going to be lining up for some of your processing tips. Saw your M42 and was motivated to do a TenChain version. That and NGC 253 were last night's diversions. You'll see why I need guidance I think.
Peter

Gosh Peter, there's nothin' shabby about those 2!
I'd be very pleased with those. Agreed M42 could use some shorter images overlayed, but still great pics.

adman (Adam) · #24 07-10-2009, 09:14 PM

I am fairly new to IIS. I live in brisbane, and am keen to get away out to the dark. I do not have a scope yet (well at least not one worth mentioning) - still in the researching stage - but leaning toward a 100-110mm apo refractor for visual and maybe later some imaging. I have not completely made up my mind and would like to have a look through a few different types / brands before deciding. Is this a good weekend to do that - would anyone be willing to let me have a peek through their scope, or will I just be getting in the way??

I bought a mount a few weeks ago that I pulled apart and regreased (an Orion Skyview Pro) because it was quite stiff in both axes - trying to balance it was almost impossible. The revamp went great - smooth and silky now. I am hoping to practice my drift alignment so I can take some photos with my piggybacked DSLR. If the dual axis drives i ordered from Sirius Optics show up - great - otherwise looks like I will be hand-guiding.

Am thinking of coming out for just one night - wife and three kids might balk at the second night.

Any objections?

Cheers
Adam

RobF (Rob) · #25 07-10-2009, 10:02 PM

Weather permitting, I'm sure you'll learn heaps Adam. Nothing pretentious about IIS gatherings. Gear, family and questions welcome.

I best leave other comments to Peter, who has kindly thrown open the gates of his property for this get together.

adman (Adam) · #26 07-10-2009, 10:17 PM

Thanks Rob

although I think for this time I may leave the family behind. Gear I have a little of. Questions I may have a whole trailer load.....

Adam

AlexN · #27 07-10-2009, 10:26 PM

Questions are very welcome! Definitely come along, bring what gear you have, im sure there will be plenty of people who'll only be too happy to give you a look through their gear...

Alex.

adman (Adam) · #28 07-10-2009, 10:55 PM

Thanks Alex - your scopes look a little like what I am aiming for. I like the look of the WO triplets - have seen a couple second hand recently that have caught my eye. They seem to be the sweet spot for me in terms of cost and quality. Do you use your ZenithStar for guiding?

Adam

AlexN · #29 07-10-2009, 11:27 PM

Yea the ZS70 is the guider, I originally planned to use it for imaging and for guiding, as I had a WO Megrez 90 doublet as well. Now that I have the TMB triplet, the Zenithstar is purely for guiding...

The WO Triplets are sensational. Theres an FLT110 for sale at the moment on these forums that is a bargain!!

adman (Adam) · #30 07-10-2009, 11:42 PM

Yep saw that one. I am trying my hardest not to buy anything before I have had a good look through a few different scopes. Very tempting though.

AlexN · #31 07-10-2009, 11:54 PM

yea.. good idea... i have been through a serious "gear junkie" stage recently. in the past 12 months i've had 5 different cameras, 2 mounts, and 12, yes... 12 telescopes...

Best to do your research, find out what you want to do, what interests you the most and then look through plenty of scopes... I'll say this, a 110mm refractor is not going to be awe inspiring to view through visually.. for imaging, that FLT 110 would be a dream... but for visual, its still only 4.5"... I had a Megrez 102 a while back, it cost me $1600, visually, it had NONE of the wow factor my $350 8" newtonian had.... if you really intend to use your scope visually and for imaging, I'd recommend something above 5", preferably 8" or 10"..

pmrid (Peter) · #32 08-10-2009, 07:24 AM

Hello Adam. You're welcome to come up and enjoy the skies with us. One night or two - entirely up to you.
If you don't particularly want to bring up your naked mount (with or without drives), you are welcome to use one of mine. I have a 127mm refractor of a Celestron CG5 mount (manual only) that you can use. Plus, you can be sure there'll be no shortage of other people happy to share their gear and knowledge. There's a lot of skills that can be picked up by chatting and that's one of the great functions these loose get-togethers serve.
A couple of suggestions. Bring some camping gear. If you don't have or want to use a tent, then a sleeping bag. I have a fair-sized shed beside the Observatory and it serves as a workshop, cooking and catering area, and impromptu crashing spot. There is a big fridge there plus basic coffee/tea facilities. There is also a gas BBQ. Bring your tucker and favourite tipple to dispel the dew late at night. Above all bring your obvious enthusiasm and all will be well.
Peter

adman (Adam) · #33 08-10-2009, 10:07 AM

Thanks very much Peter

I will bring my tent, and I will also bring my mount. I have a nasty department store refractor (cheapie celestron I have commandeered from my son) on it at the moment, but it is enough to do drift alignment with. Plus I also use it as a guider for longer piggybacked shots with my camera. I have bought a reasonable Pentax binocular - so I'll bring those up too.

Would there be any chance that your 127mm refractor might fit on my mount? It would be great to get something decent on there and learn a bit more about my own mounts particular characteristics.

Adam

pmrid (Peter) · #34 08-10-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adman

Would there be any chance that your 127mm refractor might fit on my mount? It would be great to get something decent on there and learn a bit more about my own mounts particular characteristics.

Adam

Probably. It has a standard dovetail on it so if your mount has that sort of top, there would be no problem. I have additional weights if we need them. I also have an old Canon 300D I don't use but which we could whack on the back of your Celestron if you want to do so short shots
I'll PM some directions to you.
Peter

adman (Adam) · #35 08-10-2009, 01:12 PM

Yep - should fit. I also have an old 10D (circa 2003) - but I think that the chip in that one is a bit noisier than the later models. Will be interesting to have a comparison though.

pmrid (Peter) · #36 13-10-2009, 03:42 AM

THE NEW MOON COMETH !!
If anyone needs directions, let me know. I'll see you all on Friday or Saturday - both nights open.

Peter

bokglob (Darrell) · #37 13-10-2009, 07:41 PM

Hi Peter, Very keen to come up,probably Friday night at least.Can't wait, THANKS Darrell

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #38 15-10-2009, 05:55 PM

It's Saturday night for me Peter.
Really really really looking forward to it.

pmrid (Peter) · #39 15-10-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

It's Saturday night for me Peter.
Really really really looking forward to it.

I was hoping you'd be able to make one night. Good news.
Peter

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #40 15-10-2009, 06:53 PM

Can't wait to give this new mount a proper run.
Desperate to get guiding.