M51 and M87 with jet with RC8 First Light - 2 April

[kirkster501]

No FF/FR used, just RC8 on a 450D modded. Both pictures 60mins with 5 min subs, 120m darks, flats + BIAS. Needs more data since not enough colour.

I think scope is slightly out of collimation. But could the blobby stars be lack of FF/FR? Advice sought please?

With a CCD and perfectly collimated I think this scope could do great things.

Regards, Steve

[sologuitarist61]

Beautiful images Steve!

[ultranova]

Hi Steve, great couple of first light images,

I have the RC6 inch and with the canon 1100d i was getting

slightly eggy stars in the corners but the were roughly all the

same in each corner,

My one is now well collimated but had to purchase a artificial star to do it

long story but looking at the photo of M51 it looks more of a guiding issue than A

collimation one or maybe a little of both, one thing for sure taking photos at f9 on

mine is no joke if your not used to it, if you have a good Cheshire collimator and get

it as good as possible with that you should be there.

Paul

[Gina]

Nice first light

[kirkster501]

Thankyou guys,

Paul, yes maybe guiding inaccuracy at F8 and 1800mm. Regarding collimation, the stars all have the same "blobbiness" which makes me think perhaps not collimation then. I shall keep my eye on it.

I like the M87. As I said before I am fascinated with this galaxy.

[stellawolf]

Nice images well done

[johnrt]

Steve,

It looks like your focus and perhaps collimation is out on these images, but I suspect it is more likely to be focus. I have found my 6" RC a little tricky to focus, my trick to getting it perfect is slew to a really bright star and take a 10/15 sec exposure. Then use the diffraction spikes to get focused, any sign of double spikes means you are out of focus, they should be very thin and sharp.

John