DaveS

The biggest step-change in my imaging was when I went directly to a mono CCD from my DSLR, it really was a dramatic improvement. With our miserable weather, cantankerous moonlight, and lack of astro-dark in summer the ability to capture H-alpha data under those conditions means that imaging is possible when a DSLR or OSC would just white (Or orange) out. An example: I captured this in under 80 min (It was actually about 78 min) in H-alpha when only the "skeleton" of Cygnus was visible, even Albireo was barely glimpsed, and the bight star (52 Cygni) was totally invisible. Not quite the write-off I first thought, and I hope to be adding to it in due course.

I have to use Maxim DL in order to run Pin-Point which Sequence (Part of the ASA software suite) needs for plate-solving and model making. I would prefer to use AstroArt 5 for my capture, but there it is. The Moravian camera has been attracting my attention, and I've been giving it serious thought, but as my ASI covers a similar FoV I've decided to stick with it for the moment as I don't want to spend any more money on astro kit for the time being. I don't get enough use from the kit I *do* have. I know the 8300 is a better camera than the 1600 but unless I sold it (Cam and wheel) getting a third camera seems a little extravagant.

Amazing cake. Have a wonderfull day, hope I'm not too late.

Thanks Julrs. I'll have another go the next clear night, possibly while my imaging rig is getting subs.

Looks like you've got something rarer than a FC 100 DF. A blue sky !

If you stick with Baader NB it shouldn't be too frightening, even going up to 36mm. Astrodons are the Rolls Royce of filters, even their LRGBs are , and the 3nm NB are truly scary, esp in the larger sizes.

I *have* seen how much the 50mm square 3nm Astrodons are . I went cross-eyed for a bit. Fortunately I *was* sitting down at the time.

And have you seen how much 2" 3nm Astrodons are ?

Is that why nobody came up with any useful reply to my plea for help, despite 60-odd views? That it's so darn difficult nobody knows how to do it? When I eventually got it home after delivery from FLO (Not FLO's fault I hasten to add) back in '13 it had been knocked out of collimation but not too far and I managed to get it somewhere near. Since then it's been in and out of storage 3 times and the collimation just got worse, to the point that stars in the centre of the field looked like < s. I've been going round in circles, including two rough daylight collimation iterations to try and bring it back into something like adjustment. Star collimation is just driving me barking though. Edit: That TEC 180 fluorite apo on the Astrograph site is looking increasingly attractive. Yes, I can afford it.

You know you're looking at a BIG scope when it has a grab ring . I think I'll have two. Would make a fun little bino-scope.

Mass wise it's OK but just a touch wobbly at high power. TBH the mirror wobble is more of a distraction. I *still* need to sort the collimation which is giving me the run-around.

Got my 180 mak back on the HEQ5 yesterday, had my first visual session for over 2 years last night Oh dear, I might have to buy some more eyepieces.

Ye gods!The *finders* look as big as most folks' *main* 'scopes .

Now That http://astrograph.net/epages/www_astrograph_net.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/www_astrograph_net/Products/AGTEC250-35 is a BIG 'frac. with a big price too .

Put my Megrez90 on the Photoline with a 0.79x TS reducer and ASI1600 in preparation for Markarian's Chain. The Photoline has a 0.75x APM reducer which is hidden inside the 3.7" focuser. The blanket over the dec axis is an electric pet warmer to keep dew / condenstion at bey.

Just arrived today A set of ZWO LRGB filters from Autie Flo, via postie and a TS 0.79 reducer and spacers (And a packet of Haribos) from TS via DPD. Now to set up my Megrez 90 and Asi 1600 for Markarian's Chain.

The one on the TS site shows a tilt adjuster, with the reducer spacing spec'd for that. However the one that I received (As did another member) had a rotator instead. many emails went back and forth to TS to get the correct spacing to little effect. Also the one I got has what looks like tilt and possibly collimation issues. I'd have sent it back, but what with our rubbish weather, and the delays with emails I ran out of the time limit for returns. I'd have had to arrange my own carriage to Germany too. Upshot is I've still got the 'scope, but my last email exchange with TS did at last give me some data to work on, so I think I have the spacing right, just waiting for some warmer nights to fiddle with the tilt. TBH I think they were pushing things a bit getting down to f/4.4.

I think TS also sells those 130mm f/5 astrographs, but after my experiences with their 80mm f/4.4 went for a 130 f/7 and changeable flattener or reducer. Agree with the DDM60 though, awesome mount.

Right lads, get those pitchforks and torches, we've a warlock among us .

It's not up to much, but as it's the only image I managed to bring to "completion" in 2016 I'll post it. M33 in Trangulum. R+L, G+L, B+L (90 min each I think) no Ha (It was bloating out the red channel) gradient and vignetting removal, DDP and histogram stretch on each layer then final histo stretch and saturation boost. All done in AstroArt 5 TS Photoline 130 f/7 / Baader RGB filters / Trius 694, ASA DDM60 Pro, 5 min subs (LP). An object lesson on the futility of galaxy imaging from London.

Telegizmos 365 cover. Double layer tested for 24/7 365. Not cheap but worth it if you have kit worth as much as a small car under it. I also use a silicone spray on the metalwork occasionally. Having your setup on a permanant pier will cut your set up time drasticaly

Resistance is futile

Pretty much. Asking the mount to point the 'scope at a series of stars and telling the mount how far off it is and in what direction. From that the mount will calculate the PA and collimation error. Really high end mounts that guide on encoders will then use the model to track without needing a guider.

Here is my rig getting a trial run of 12 x 5 min subs on M33. Nothing special, but I've just done a 20 point model and refined my PA a bit so here goes. Hand-held with my Fuji X-T1 at iso 6400 and a stupidly long exposure. The TV has the Maxim DL capture window and Cartes du Ciel, the laptop has Autoslew, Sequence, and the Maxim CCD control. Both red-light shielded. Scope is TS Photoline 130mm f/7. What looks like a finder / guider is, in fact the 80mm f/4.4 riding piggy-back. The lights either side are dimmable LED lanterns shield with Lee 026 red lighting gel.

My new TS Photoline 130 f/7 triplet apo on the DDM60 rough balanced. Will try to fine balance this afternoon and get first light tonight. Having a built-in USB hub makes cable routing much easier.