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M63 in Luminance at f10

swag72

By swag72
in Imaging - Deep Sky

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swag72

swag72

Posted
Posted

I wouldn't normally post an incomplete image, but decided that in this case it's probably worth doing so. There have been a few threads and folks talking about imaging at f10 with an SCT. Prior to trying it myself I would have said that people were mad to try it and it was almost impossible. My first foray into f10 imaging produced the most awful M97 blob, so I felt that I needed to find something fairly large and see what really could be pulled out.

This shows much more promise than my 'friend' the Owl and I think shows that you can indeed manage to image at f10, but with a caveat - the mount. I know without a doubt that my previous mount would not have managed this, but the Avalon is doing fine.

Details

M: Avalon Linear Fast Reverse

T: Celestron C9.25

C: Atik 460EXM with Hutech P2 LP filter as luminance

69x300s with bias and flats.

This is totalling 5hrs and 45mins so far. I don't think I will add any more luminance now as while I would like to capture the tidal waves, it's too tight in the frame to show them.

post-5681-0-84072300-1397914825_thumb.jp

A larger version is available here http://swagastro.weebly.com/uploads/2/3/3/7/23377322/website_m63_large.jpg

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lensman57

lensman57

Posted
Posted

I wouldn't normally post an incomplete image, but decided that in this case it's probably worth doing so. There have been a few threads and folks talking about imaging at f10 with an SCT. Prior to trying it myself I would have said that people were mad to try it and it was almost impossible. My first foray into f10 imaging produced the most awful M97 blob, so I felt that I needed to find something fairly large and see what really could be pulled out.

This shows much more promise than my 'friend' the Owl and I think shows that you can indeed manage to image at f10, but with a caveat - the mount. I know without a doubt that my previous mount would not have managed this, but the Avalon is doing fine.

Details

M: Avalon Linear Fast Reverse

T: Celestron C9.25

C: Atik 460EXM with Hutech P2 LP filter as luminance

69x300s with bias and flats.

This is totalling 5hrs and 45mins so far. I don't think I will add any more luminance now as while I would like to capture the tidal waves, it's too tight in the frame to show them.

attachicon.gifSGL_Lum_M63.jpg

A larger version is available here http://swagastro.weebly.com/uploads/2/3/3/7/23377322/website_m63_large.jpg

That is a total package as far as i am concenred and a lovely one too. Great image.

A.G

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fwm891

fwm891

Posted
Posted

Great mono image Sara and +1 for the Avalon mount

Great DSO, always gives the impression of selective focus with that horizontal detailed band across the middle and foreground and background arms look softer...

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steppenwolf

steppenwolf

Posted
Posted

This is a real testament to the accuracy of the Avalon mount and your control of it! A small amount of coma creeping in at the far corners but that is outside your control and it doesn't detract from the lovely detail in the core. I'll have to revise my thoughts on the SCT at F10 then - well done!

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ollypenrice

ollypenrice

Posted
Posted

Terrific detail.

Regarding F10, we just keep coming back to the F ratio myth. If it will fit on your chip at F10 and you can guide it, then do it. There are no new photons brought in by a reducer.

This is a heck of an advert for the Avalon. I'd certainly buy one.

Olly

PS This talk of the kit is well and good but I think we have rather a skilled operator in play here, too.  :icon_salut: 

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swag72

swag72

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Thanks very much all - I appreciate your comments on this image as it's far from over at this point in time ............... I hope!!

I think that this will make a decent enough luminance layer, I just hope that the RGB data can match it. The Avalon is a great mount, and I think that this is testament to it. Admittedly these are only 5 minute subs, but it handles 30 minute subs equally with ease. It's quite nice as well that this was reasonably easy data to work with. The flats took out all the nasty gradients, which was a big bonus.

Is working at f10 doable? It certainly is and I hope this will give more people the confidence to give it a try. I am sorry that I was a doubter for so long :grin:

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swag72

swag72

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Thank you Richard, E and Michael - No pressure then? :grin:

I hope that this has got the point across that imaging at this focal length and f10 is doable - That was the reason for posting a half baked unfinished image :grin:

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Coco

Coco

Posted
Posted

Excellent result Sara, thanks for sharing. looking forward to the colour :)

Somewhere on here I posted a just for laughs image of m13 using a Tal 100RS + 314L. Looked great too :)

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PhotoGav

PhotoGav

Posted
Posted

Looking great Sara - the central detail is exquisite.

As for DSO imaging at f10 - it's a small price to pay for the focal length! I have been working away, when weather permits, on perfecting my C8 edge set-up and hope to have a couple of projects processed and on display before too long. I'm really enjoying the challenge and beginning to be amazed by the results! Perhaps we should start an 'f10 DSO' club! The scope has also opened the door to a bit of planetary imaging too - an interesting and different challenge.

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earth titan

earth titan

Posted
Posted

Thanks Guy and Tom :smiley:

@Tom - I look forward to seeing how you get on with the C9.25 and the 314L

Not sure how its going to go, TBH, as I can't get OAG working. Admittedly I tried a very cheap OAG which didn't help.

I'm going to guide using my 80mm APO set on a 'side by side' saddle, so little or no flex. My C9.25 doesn't appear to suffer from too much mirror slop, so I'm optimistic :)

Thinking of having a go at the Needle Galaxy and see how we get on, although PHD often throws a wobbly when guiding so close to the pole.....

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swag72

swag72

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And always try everything once!!! :rolleyes:

Sometimes more than once!!!

Thanks Martyn - This is a fun scope to be using. I am enjoying it no end ............. when the weather allows. Whoever said that Spain was the land of sun, sea and sangria was definitely lying on at least one of those counts :grin:

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