tooth_dr

I'm very tempted by a long focal length scope, something I dont have. Damn.

20% off coupon as well

Pretty old school, but the very sensitive Watec camera would be an option. Doesnt rely on IR and can be used with any C mount lenses. Can be connected to PC via a USB grabber. I use an Amazon camera in mine but without the IR it's not great in the dark. I just use it to check roof closure and parking position.

Sorry yes, I ran it side by side with my 105mm APM, both the same focal length and the detail in the 180mm was quite a bit more striking in my eyes.

I have a 180mm F2.8 Newtonian and it took a bit of work to get it aligned. Depends how fussy you are but nothing beats the resolution and light gathering capabilities of a big fast scope. I prefer the glass like stars and diffraction spikes to the (imo) slightly fuzzy stars from the RASA, although AI takes care of things now so not really a bit issue.

True for me too, hours of data on the hard drive now getting processed as I'm finally getting somewhere. I wouldnt say I rely solely of AI, but it sure helps along the way. No substitute for good data capture, although I can reward myself for putting in the effort setting it all up.

@symmetal hi Alan. I’m going to try this later on. It only requires 4 wires connected, should I just tape the other wires up and leave loose in the housing or would it do any harm connecting them to the DB9 plug?

Continuing to work through my unprocessed data. There was just 2.5 hours spent on this one, but with two scopes imaging simultaneously it gave me a usable enough 5 hours. I've always wants to image M78 as it is an interesting object, and given the potential for some nicely resolved detail in the core of the nebula, it might be worth revisiting this for more data over the winter. APM 105/650 with Baader Lum filter, QHY 268M, 73 x 120s subs APM 105/650 with IDAS ODW, ZWO 2600MC, 80 x 120s subs Mesu e200, OAG/290MM, PHD2, SGPro Stacked and processed in APP, PI, Images Plus, PS Total exposure = 5 hours and 6 minutes C+C welcome, Adam

Top pick nomination on Astrobin https://astrob.in/jq6fcn/0/

If using a guidescope then a camera like a 120MM is perfect. If OAG, then I'd recommended a more sensitive camera. I use a 290MM for my OAG. I use a guidescope (just the finderscope with an adapter) with my fast reflector and an OAG with my refractor. The star shapes with my OAG arent that round but guiding is unaffected. As said above, once the OAG is set up, there isnt anything else to worry about. Both work in my experience but with the longer focal length you are suggesting, I'd recommend an OAG and a good sensitive guidecam.

I’m using a JTD adjustable saddle, seems to work very well and was money well spent. Along with the rotatable 3.5” Feather Touch focusers it’s easy to get the two scopes well aligned.

Thank you! haven’t noticed any issues, they are not connected at the top but are very well mounted individually. I’m also operating at a much shorter focal length than the 150, and my scopes are less than 1/2 the weight, which helps against gravity.

WR134! I like this, something different and even though I’ve done the tulip widefield I’d never heard of WR134.

That’s a very cool looking target there, a credit to you gathering an hour or two here and there. Not easy.

Stack of each filer. Bit of star shape issue in the broadband channels.

Thanks Lee, happy with how it turned out and I enjoy the extra crops myself Thank you Adrian. Not sure if it is a bit dark, although I did buy a spyder calibration tool for my home monitor so hopefully it's not far away. Thanks Stuart! Much appreciated Simon Cheers Dave Thank you Alan, love the detail in the Cone, would love to get a bigger aperture on it.

Is DBE in PI the same principal as Light Pollution Removal tool in Astro Pixel Processor? I’ve not moved that step over to PI yet but with a sense star field it’s hit and miss.

@ollypenrice good tips as usual Olly 👌🏻

Thats fascinating. I'd like some more Lum, but I could always get some Oiii with my NBZ filter And yes a mesu is obligatory lol

Thanks Góran I use a pair of APM LZOS 105/650 refractors with Riccardi reducers 0.75x, giving a focal length of 487mm at F4.65 Cameras: ZWO 2600MC and QHY 268M Simple but effective

I've been working on this the past few days, at the point now where I need to post it for sanity. It's a 2 panel mosaic of Cone Nebula region, total exposure over both panels Ha=9 hours 30 minutes, OSC=6 hours and 48 minutes, Lum=2 hours 22minues (less than 10 hours each panel) Presented at 100%. So many nice details in this area, in particular I love the big curved swathe that runs through NGC2245 in the Ha image. C+C welcome Adam

Yes , directly comparing the images, that one is the best

Gonna say first one for me but not much in it. Bottom one looks a little blue to me too

That’s a good tip, cheers!

Looking forward to more photos Stu, pedantics aside.