Adaptive Optics for STL questions

[Terry B]

I like my AO unit. It certainly guides better than the guidescope alone due to differential flexure. I sometimes use a combination of both. I will guide with the guide scope and use the AO unit for fine control. This is just because I'm lazy and don't want to change the cableing around.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by JohnH

For me I find this is the real benefit - at regular guide exposures with AO I get better guiding, it just works - every time. I think this is because you only have to move a few grams of glass instead of 20Kg plus of scope and gear. Backlash anyone?

Then agin , if you can get up to 5-10Hz+ guide rates you can start to tighten the FWHM as well...

On the bad side is loss of flexibility/compatibility with flateners and the like due to the AO unit.

Yeh, fair enough I guess...

Mike

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by stevous67

Here's an example from last Friday night, and I image in Melbourne, so significant light pollution too:

NGC6188

That's a real corker Steve.

[stevous67 (Steve M)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Oh I undestand how the AO works and it is sure to be of benifit to some, it's just that I see so many high quality high res images being done with RC's on PME's that don't use AO in the mix, that's all

Mike

Yes that is true, but I suppose it also has something to do with the fact that people have different tastes for different brands of cameras as they do for cars. And not all brands of cameras have supported AO units, and this would contribute to this fact. The AO is not a magical weapon, but it does help to mitigate certain factors that can otherwise ruin a sub exposure.

Cheers,

Steve

[rat156]

Hi Paul,

I have an AOL, ST11K, MOAG, RGH etc, even have a 10"RC and a PMX, sound familiar?

Recently I have run into back focus issues with the RC10C, with this scope you have to get as close to the optimal 6" back focus as possible or the stars at the edge of the (quite large) ST11k chip are not round. So I have had to forgo the MOAG/RGH and use the internal guide chip. Sometime you get lucky and there's a nice guide star in the field somewhere, though it can limit the framing of the object somewhat. I also used to have a rotator, that went too in search of back focus.

AO is essential IMHO for long focal length imaging, even with the best mount available, AO works and makes imaging so much easier, just use it any way you can. You can get away with longer guiding images on the colour subs, but try to get 5-15Hz for the luminance, it helps to really bring out the best in your imaging system.

I have the MOAG/RGH and adapters sitting in a box in the obs at the moment, I was going to sell it, but am keeping it for a little while just incase I can fit it in somehow. You're welcome to borrow it if you want to try it out, just PM me and I'll arrange to have it posted over.

Cheers
Stuart

[Poita (Peter)]

I've often wondered if a variation of dlp technology could be used for 'cheap' adaptive optics on a pixel by pixel level.
http://www.dlp.com/technology/how-dlp-works/

[Paul Haese]

Originally Posted by rat156

Hi Paul,

I have an AOL, ST11K, MOAG, RGH etc, even have a 10"RC and a PMX, sound familiar?

Recently I have run into back focus issues with the RC10C, with this scope you have to get as close to the optimal 6" back focus as possible or the stars at the edge of the (quite large) ST11k chip are not round. So I have had to forgo the MOAG/RGH and use the internal guide chip. Sometime you get lucky and there's a nice guide star in the field somewhere, though it can limit the framing of the object somewhat. I also used to have a rotator, that went too in search of back focus.

AO is essential IMHO for long focal length imaging, even with the best mount available, AO works and makes imaging so much easier, just use it any way you can. You can get away with longer guiding images on the colour subs, but try to get 5-15Hz for the luminance, it helps to really bring out the best in your imaging system.

I have the MOAG/RGH and adapters sitting in a box in the obs at the moment, I was going to sell it, but am keeping it for a little while just incase I can fit it in somehow. You're welcome to borrow it if you want to try it out, just PM me and I'll arrange to have it posted over.

Cheers
Stuart

Hmmm now that is food for thought.

Perhaps what I will doo for now is get the RC imaging, then get the MOAG and AO with remote guide head and that will show me the difference and I will have a great appreciation.

Thanks all for the assistance, I really appreciate everyones thoughts.