Mikes new scope finally arrives

strongmanmike (Michael) · #1 03-01-2007, 08:56 PM

Just Arrived today!

Been sitting at Sydney airport since Boxing Day (26 Dec) though

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/asa_n12

Can't wait for the new camera now..not too far away.

Those going to IISAC can see this setup first hand

Mike

jase (Jason) · #2 03-01-2007, 09:00 PM

Great stuff Mike. Looking forward to seeing what you can do with this scope/set up.

RB (Andrew) · #3 03-01-2007, 09:01 PM

Awesome Mike, can't wait to see it and see what you can produce with it.

Congrats.

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #4 03-01-2007, 09:02 PM

Now thats a nice looking scope Mike, well done on the purchse, was sure worth the wait.

Harb · #5 03-01-2007, 09:04 PM

now all you need is to get rid of that pesky refractor........
you could send it to me and I will dispose of it for you

cheers
John

PS nice scope.........can hardly wait for the images!

Striker (Tony) · #6 03-01-2007, 09:05 PM

Throw in the tube rings and I will buy it off you for $1500....lol

Looking forward to some deep images Mike.

Dennis · #7 03-01-2007, 09:07 PM

That's one serious piece of equipment, and even more serious set up.

Reminds me of one of those US military tracking platforms that take high speed movies of rocket launches...

Looks a terrific set up Mike, congratulations, almost there now!

Cheers

Dennis

Striker (Tony) · #8 03-01-2007, 09:11 PM

Mike,

It looks like the mount is over loaded.

Get rid of of the scope send it to me...I will pm you my address details...hehehe

Rodstar (Rod) · #9 03-01-2007, 09:20 PM

That looks like one serious imaging set-up, Mike. I hope you get some decent weather in the nation's capital in the coming months so you can get some good imaging done.

I bet the stars come to a beautifully tight airy disk on visual work!?

strongmanmike (Michael) · #10 03-01-2007, 09:37 PM

Ya know how often I've been asked that John??

The AP152EDF may be put aside for a bit while the new scope gets some attention. The AP is a fine optical instrument with the same FL as the ASA N12 and I have the 4" field flattener for it even so the corrected FOV is probably even larger than the ASA's but the advantages the ASA N12 will have over the AP is a 4X faster photographic speed (F7.5 to F3.8), better thermal stability for focus (carbon fiber tube) and better blue correction (it's a reflector), the apperture may help a bit too?

I guess that's a few things but not that major...hmm?..am I a perfectionist

Mike

acropolite (Phil) · #11 03-01-2007, 09:39 PM

Nice....

strongmanmike (Michael) · #12 03-01-2007, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodstar

That looks like one serious imaging set-up, Mike. I hope you get some decent weather in the nation's capital in the coming months so you can get some good imaging done.

I bet the stars come to a beautifully tight airy disk on visual work!?

Hi Rod

While the optics in my N12 are indeed excellent (Strehl of 0.99 and RMS of 1/60th wave) it is a fast astrograph so it has a large central obstruction (40%) so for visual work the design could be better. Having said that for all but the most descriminating planetary viewing I am sure the views will still be very good and with a coma corrector in place like a Paracorr the wide field low power Nagler views should be exquisit.

Mike

h0ughy (David) · #13 03-01-2007, 09:45 PM

lucky we have a few power stations around the hunter to power that beastie

strongmanmike (Michael) · #14 03-01-2007, 09:49 PM

Hey Houghy, know anyone I could borrow a visual coma corrector off for some visual views through my new scope at Lostock?

Mike

h0ughy (David) · #15 03-01-2007, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Hey Houghy, know anyone I could borrow a visual coma corrector off for some visual views through my new scope at Lostock?

Mike

NNnooooo

strongmanmike (Michael) · #16 03-01-2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

NNnooooo

Nah not your big beautiful GEG

I would need a parracorr or similar that just slips in the focuser I think?

Mike

Phil · #17 03-01-2007, 10:03 PM

If you dont mind me asking what is the price of that scope.
Thanks
Phil

avandonk · #18 03-01-2007, 10:04 PM

Mike first off congratulations on a fine choice and I know you will make it perform. Mark me if I am wrong but you won't need a Parracor for visual your field is already flat 50mm diameter if my memory is correct. If anything you will need an extension tube on the focuser to access the image plane. It is a superbly designed astrograph that does it all. Large aperture (12") , no CA (mirrors+correctors), fast F3.8 and thermally stable.

I can't wait to see what you capture with it.

Again congratulations

Bert

strongmanmike (Michael) · #19 03-01-2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avandonk

Mike first off congratulations on a fine choice and I know you will make it perform. Mark me if I am wrong but you won't need a Parracor for visual your field is already flat 50mm diameter if my memory is correct. It is a superbly designed astrograph that does it all. Large aperture (12") , no CA (mirrors+correctors), fast F3.8 and thermally stable.

I can't wait to see what you capture with it.

Again congratulations

Bert

The problem is while the scope is a superb astrograph the Keller Wynn corrector is designed to be hard attached via screws to a filterwheel and has a set back focus ie no eyepiece adapter etc. The corrector does simply slips out of the 3" focuser though and a 2" adapter slides in to take 2" eyepieces, barlows or coma correctors etc.

I imagine an adapter could be constructed to allow eyepieces to be held in front of the Keller corrector but that is out of my manufacturing capabilities at this stage I'm affraid.

I will try it out visually with the Keller corrector removed and see if I will need another smaller coma corrector or not.

Cheers mate
Mike

bird (Anthony Wesley) · #20 03-01-2007, 10:42 PM

Congrats Mike. I see a hint of a triangular centre spot on the primary - was that pre-installed, or did you add a Jim Fly centre spot?

cheers, Bird