First Saturn with tracking! 11th Feb 2005

[iceman (Mike)]

Hey guys.

I went out with Rod on Friday night to our local dark site, his first roadtrip with his 10" LX200GPS, and of course I took my 10" dob.

I was keen to get some Saturn avi through his scope, to see how much better it would turn out than my undriven dob images.

Things didn't go to plan early.. It took over an hour to get the scope aligned, a person coming to the soccer oval to stock up the canteen turned the flood lights on for 30 minutes.

Anyway I finally got the laptop hooked up and found Saturn in the preview screen (prime focus f/10 2500mm FL).

The weather was quite cold, and it was windy. The image was shaking around during gusts, meaning I had to stop and start the video a few times when the wind got too excited. Seeing wasn't too bad, but visually at 5000mm FL (with the 2x barlow) Saturn was slightly blurry and hard to focus. I tried putting the barlow in while imaging to increase the image scale, but due to the goto being slightly off, I couldn't find it in the FOV so gave up on that idea.

Another thing I wish I'd have been able to do, is ensure focus was spot on, but I couldn't. We didn't have a hartman mask (I didn't take mine), and because goto wasn't accurate, finding a star to focus on would've been very difficult. So I focussed by viewing Saturn on the preview screen using the clunky LX200 focus knob. The microfocuser wasn't working so I couldn't use it.

Anyway let's just call all that teething problems and a learning experience. Next time we get out, it'll be much easier and quicker to align (finderscope helps, Rod ) and we'll make sure it's accurate so I can use the barlow to increase scale, and i'll make sure I take the hartman mask along to get focus sharp.

Here's a composite of a couple of images, all with the same avi.

The top left is processed in Photoshop, the top right is split/deconvoluted/recombined in Astra Image.
The bottom left is the same as above, but 1.3x upsized using registax. The bottom right is the same, processed in AstraImage.

Appreciate your suggestions comments, and which one you think looks the best!

Well obviously it's my best image to-date, as expected thanks to the tracking. I want tracking now!

Images look great Iceman, makes me want to get my butt going and start some imaging. Might have to chase Matthew (www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au) for a Toucam, he only lives 10mins drive from me.
This being the case, lookout Rumples Riot, I will probably be pestering you for ideas, assistance etc.

[gbeal]

Heck Mike, if you can get that sort of image with wind, no finder, no barlow, and all the other "teething problems" look out.
The only difference, apart from the obvious tracking, is the OTA, one an SCT, the other a newt. And of course the focal length, so you will need either a 2x, or 4x barlow.

[ving (David)]

hey I like the second one. really sharp!

they are all showing good detail!

[beren]

Great work ,especially given the conditions......hopefully if Rods got difficulties with the alignment and m/focuser functions it can be sorted out or advice sought here......i once forgot my handbox {autostar11controller}

[rumples riot]

Firstly, good job Mike, I like the top right; looks very crisp and clean.

Just wondering why goto's were not accurate? I have found that once I get the planet in the centre of the EP, then it is just a matter of putting the barlow in and readjusting for focus with the zero image microfocusor. Why was that not working? Even when I focus on a star, I simply use the finderscope to align the scope on the planet. Sure you guys know how to drive an LX200?

Peter, no problems about the help with the Toucam, glad to help. Not this weekend, but the following one I will try to get down your place and set it up on the Tak and take some Jupiter shots it you like. That way I can show you what settings to use and how to obtain focus.

Anyway, looks like next time you go out Mike and Rod you will be having a good night of imaging. Rod you might like to buy a Waeco battery for the scope. They are about 400 and it will run your scope all night and the following day easily. Saves on using batteries.

[Comet Hunter]

Nice shots Ice, considering the circumstances. Sounds like it was early-ish into the night... how late did you guys stay out imaging?

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Welcome to the satifaction club Mike. My preference, I think is number one (top left) for colour, though number 2 (top right) is definately sharper to me. Is it my imagination or do you're images look slightly oblated.

You're not fooling anyone Paul. You just want to get your hands on a Tak refractor for the night

Maybe here's a good chance for another poll: Will Mike buy:
1) an EQ platform
2) an EQ 6 mount and get rid of the Dob mount altogether
or
3) an LX200 once he's fallen in love with it

[Striker (Tony)]

Great shots mike.....its good to see your taking note of what I have to say...oh wait a minute I know nothing of astrophotography.......thanks for listening anyway....lol

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks for the comments guys!

Can't wait to try it at longer focal length.. to-date it's only been a dream to have a Saturn that's BIG!

btw i've split the microfocuser posts off into another thread in the Tips&Techniques forum.

[Robby]

Mike.
Do you want to try my 2.5x powermate at SPSP? I'll chuck it in the kit of bits if your keen.

[iceman (Mike)]

Yeh Robby that'd be great, thanks.

I'm not planning on doing much (if any) imaging at the SPSP, mainly because I'll only be able to do Saturn/Jupiter and I would want to use a tracking scope to do it, and I think i'd prefer to be in the visual observing field, at least to start.

But I would like to see how it compares to a normal (GSO) barlow. Thanks