Frankencamera first light

[Peter Ward]

OMG...it has been a while since there was a patch of clear sky over the Shire,
but I managed to get the new configuration up an running for it's first image last night....between thunderstorms...

Teething problems like a dead 12Vdc power-pack, finding where
I stashed my long serial cables, re-discovering how to get the CFW to connect in "stand-alone" mode via a RS232 port wasted a good deal of imaging time.

First light image is here

I forgot how good the AstroDon's were....zippo halos, even Alnitak is totally halo free. I suspect this system will produce some excellent imagery.

Well, that's the end of the News. Now for the weather....

[gregbradley]

Yep, that's awesome.

You've got everything nicely dialled in there. A hot combination of gear. Astrodon's are pricey but there are none better.

Greg.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Perfect field for it. Top shot.

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by multiweb

Perfect field for it. Top shot.

Ta...I actually had to crop it quite a lot due nil sky-flats....but this is just 30 minutes (!) . I'm champing at the bit to get some deep data.

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Yep, that's awesome.

You've got everything nicely dialled in there. A hot combination of gear. Astrodon's are pricey but there are none better.

Greg.

Thanks Greg. Yep unfortunately in $A terms a set of 50mm square AstroDons is a serious investment.

But with the COVID turmoil in the USA, I suspect the $A will appreciate significantly in the months to come...hence for simplicity I'll likely order a round set to let me use the somewhat more compact QHY wheel.

[Sunfish (Ray)]

Truly remarkable detail for just 30 min. What a perfect field. Might clear up this weekend.

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

Astrodon makes superb filters. Mary Shelly would have been proud to see the scope-filter-camera mechanical interface, and that Sydney lightning did the reanimation.

A stunning image given the time available. Obviously a very good match between scope and camera, as well as high camera QE.

[Ryderscope (Rodney)]

A good result from your work Peter. I’m enjoying watching the posts about the different equipment configurations that you are reporting.

Btw: you missed the weather report at the end of your broadcast

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by Placidus

Astrodon makes superb filters. Mary Shelly would have been proud to see the scope-filter-camera mechanical interface, and that Sydney lightning did the reanimation.

A stunning image given the time available. Obviously a very good match between scope and camera, as well as high camera QE.

There were not one, but two custom adapters required to bring this thing to life!

The electrical storm probably helped too
....but I was thinking more Mel Brooks than Mary shelly...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VkrUG3OrPc

[Andy01 (Andy)]

Promising beginnings Peter, I look forward to seeing a completed image!