First Light - Heaven's Mirror Observatory

[iceman (Mike)]

Has it been 3 years already? OMG that's gone quick!

Look forward to seeing you again when you return.

[SkyViking (Rolf)]

Congratulations on getting such a great setup, that must be awesome to have!
And that first light image is just stunning. Really nice and smooth and full of details. It looks like a Hubble image. Thanks for the view.

[Martin Pugh]

Thanks Rolf!

Mike - yes, I intend to at least participate in SPSP and Lostock.

see you then
Martin

[gregbradley]

Did Planewave give you an updated secondary shroud?

The original one allowed stray light reflections in from nearby stars and you'd get a lot of light streaks coming into the image.

The revised one Joe sent me stops that and does a good job of stopping streaks which almost never happen now. But the cost is slightly less sharpness in dim stars as the original is thinner and the new one angles out so where it meets the secondary mirror it is about 4-5mm thick.

I was thinking of coating the inside of the old one with paintboard black paint and see if it works. I started using it again but took it off once I put the reducer on as it worsened the reflections with the old shroud.

Greg.

[Martin Pugh]

Greg
From what I recall, the light shroud on the secondary was just conical, not flared at the end like on some baffles, and I simply did not check the thickness of it. I asked Rick if it was the new baffle (because of the report on reflectinos) and he said it was.

cheers
Martin

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Great result Martin

An awesome piece of kit, observatory and site there.

Heck, you and Jase will be mini survey outposts now.

We mortals will continue setting up and pulling down at the whim of the weather

Mike

[gregbradley]

It would be obvious enough if it weren't a revised one as you would see the reflection streaks sooner or later. Perhaps they revised the design.

Greg.

Originally Posted by Martin Pugh

Greg
From what I recall, the light shroud on the secondary was just conical, not flared at the end like on some baffles, and I simply did not check the thickness of it. I asked Rick if it was the new baffle (because of the report on reflectinos) and he said it was.

cheers
Martin

[RB (Andrew)]

Sensational result Martin, and what a wonderful setup, congrats.
Looking forward to more and to meet you one day at Lostock or SPSP.

[richardo (Rich)]

A killer image Martin!!
Amazing res and one of the favourite little structures in the area.. known as the Elephants trunk is showing its two little stars at the trunks end beautifully resolved... haven't seen them this well in an image from an amateur imager (well, I say amateur with my tongue in cheek)
Exquisite detail and processing... just stunning!

Amazing what high altitude, dry and clear skies can do. Especially with apertures of this degree.

Man, that is a setup to die for..... well give a kidney at least
Good that you have a man on the ground in case things go pear shape..

In my small networked setup, sometimes a 'park' command from inside my house can be wrought with havoc out in the observatory sends a man running.

Look forward to some lovely northern sky treasures from this rig.... for sure!

All the best
Rich

[multiweb (Marc)]

That's a great shot Martin and a set up to die for. Welcome back to Oz. Bring us back some clear skies.

[Martin Pugh]

Thanks very much for posting!

SRO is in a great spot for sure, and where it doesnt get the monsoon weather of New Mexico and other sites down there, it sure does get snow.

Last night, seeing hovered around 1", 'peaking' to 1.3"

cheers
Martin

[Ross G]

Hi Martin,

An amazing photo and an amazing setup.

Good luck.


Ross.

[Martin Pugh]

Thanks Ross
appreciate the comment.

Martin

[bloodhound31]

Thanks for raising the bar once again Martin, with such an amazing image. Now we all have something to strive for!

Cheers and blessings,

Baz.

[Martin Pugh]

Thanks Baz.

clear skies
Martin

[Hagar (Doug)]

Very nice image Martin, just what we have come to expect from you.
Looks like a nice remote setup.