I have an idea - how about some of you guys at AAIC do a country road tour - kicking off in Perth.
Would we have to sing country music
It was hard enough for Mark to get this together...but one plan (wish) is that AAIC perhaps moves around the country each year or two...mm?..Perth huh?
The star problems you mention from flex - I can't really see it in this image. It must be pretty subtle or is it easier to see in the 1x1 downloads which are pretty harsh on any scope/mount?
That's a nicely done narrowband shot Mike. I think the colours are just about exactly right. Of course with my interpretation of the chicken it's running to the left.
Nice work once again Mike. The palette allows for quite a lot of variation. The yellow is a bit orange on my screen, so not at nice as the previous image. Overall the image looks smooth but has some high contrast that makes it look just a little overcooked. I think it is more of an optical illusion that any real defects, maybe the saturation could be dropped just a little to reduce the effect??
The star shapes look fairly consistent to me but all corners seem to have some curvature. I don't think it is flex, although the scale does not really help in the determination of where the problem lies. With that size sensor I am not surprised that some curvature or flex is present.
That said, the image is of a very high standard as per usual.
That's a nicely done narrowband shot Mike. I think the colours are just about exactly right. Of course with my interpretation of the chicken it's running to the left.
Cheers
Steve
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Haese
Nice work once again Mike. The palette allows for quite a lot of variation. The yellow is a bit orange on my screen, so not at nice as the previous image. Overall the image looks smooth but has some high contrast that makes it look just a little overcooked. I think it is more of an optical illusion that any real defects, maybe the saturation could be dropped just a little to reduce the effect??
The star shapes look fairly consistent to me but all corners seem to have some curvature. I don't think it is flex, although the scale does not really help in the determination of where the problem lies. With that size sensor I am not surprised that some curvature or flex is present.
That said, the image is of a very high standard as per usual.
Cheers guys
See?.. the final choice of narrowband colour pallets reveals the interior decorating bents of all viewers
I am with you though Paul, but this was the most favoured look during this processing... ordeal?
The flex is in the imaging train-scope juncture for sure and this is manifesting as various degrees of what looks like field edge coma but I'm convinced isn't . Careful scrutiny of star images at full res reveals minor issues of varying degrees across much of the frame and that varies across the sky. Obviously this is not precluding me from putting together quality images but it is mildly frustrating (but also exciting?) knowing that they could and hopefully will be even better.
On ya Richardo, I am really enjoying this narrowband work, the options are endless and the artistic side can come out , it is a good option in poor seeing conditions too. At F3.8 having a 37mmX 37mm chip in a heavy camera and filterwheel really does push the envelope with this scope design...but so far it has been fun and produced some good results. Without an obso though, I certainly haven't enjoyed the crappy and more worryingly, unpredictable Newcastle weather
Re the off axis guider, won't help with this sort of flexure, rather I think we are talking mechanical flexure in the image train distorting the star images, not differential flexure causing guide errors.
Yes I reckon narrow band is great also, it lets you play master of your colour destiny.. ..
Any comments as to 'oh that's too, or not enough...' then you can say, 'my image, my taste, my artistic license' Simple.
I think you are right in saying that there is some sort of flex in the imaging train... You know that with the AP on board there is no probs..
For me after years of tracking my issue down, I've narrowed it down to a few things after upgrading my ML focuser to a feather Touch ... quite possibly the tube is flexing somewhere... or even the spider is a bit weak (might have to build my own as there arn't any good third party ones around other than a Van Slyke....) but I'm relatively happy with 4- 5 min subs as this seems quite adequate for the F4 system and what I'm after in the way of appearance imo. Just now and then I see a slight elongation to the stars in the bottom L/H corner.
All good fun and you're doing some great work so far with this scope even in your very iffy skies. A observatory would be nice for you though!
Yes I reckon narrow band is great also, it lets you play master of your colour destiny.. ..
Any comments as to 'oh that's too, or not enough...' then you can say, 'my image, my taste, my artistic license' Simple.
Yep he he...
Quote:
I think you are right in saying that there is some sort of flex in the imaging train... You know that with the AP on board there is no probs..
Yes, a 52mm diagonal field at F3.8 is much more fickle to deliver compared to F8.3, over that field size F3.8 is very sensitive to any mechanical or optical variables, the F3.8 speed is certainly worth it in many respects though, not to mention the 4 fold increase in light grasp.
The flex is in the imaging train-scope juncture for sure and this is manifesting as various degrees of what looks like field edge coma but I'm convinced isn't . Careful scrutiny of star images at full res reveals minor issues of varying degrees across much of the frame and that varies across the sky. Obviously this is not precluding me from putting together quality images but it is mildly frustrating (but also exciting?) knowing that they could and hopefully will be even better.
Mike
Have you considered this might be a combination of several factors? Flex, curvature, tilt and maybe some guiding related movement. Guiding might be a related issue. As I recall you use a guide scope?? If so; I found no matter what I did I could not get that final bit of flexure out of the system. Flexure can be tested though. 1, 5 and 10 minute subs in several parts of the sky show differential flexure easily. That camera weight has to add to this too. Might take a little while to iron out all the bugs, but for now it looks pretty ok to me. Getting that perfect image is always tough on perfectionist.
Have you considered this might be a combination of several factors? Flex, curvature, tilt and maybe some guiding related movement. Guiding might be a related issue. As I recall you use a guide scope?? If so; I found no matter what I did I could not get that final bit of flexure out of the system. Flexure can be tested though. 1, 5 and 10 minute subs in several parts of the sky show differential flexure easily. That camera weight has to add to this too. Might take a little while to iron out all the bugs, but for now it looks pretty ok to me. Getting that perfect image is always tough on perfectionist.
Oh yeh, I am slowly working through all of these avenues
Tonight is clear here... shame I have just recovered fropm the Flu ..must... resisit... the... urge
. 
, it is a good option in poor seeing conditions too. At F3.8 having a 37mmX 37mm chip in a heavy camera and filterwheel really does push the envelope with this scope design...but so far it has been fun and produced some good results. Without an obso though, I certainly haven't enjoyed the crappy and more worryingly, unpredictable Newcastle weather 
