Martthebass

Not the best image of M27 but the skies (and wind) haven’t been kind these last few weeks. This image is just 10 x 3 minute subs processed in PS. Captured on a ASI533MCP using a WO GT71 and an L -eNhance.

Cygnus was about the only patch of sky that had a window of opportunity last night. It was a quick set up (even forgot the guiding calibration which buggered one of the 10 minute subs 😂). So as I’m still trying to work out optimum sub lengths now I’m using the L-eNhance a fair bit (Bortle 6 ☹️) NGC7000 seemed like a reasonable target to see how I could get some red in the mix. Not a great image but this is only 6 x 10minute subs - another 3 hours would have been nice.

Well I pulled the filter last night and everything was back to normality. The second image is a single 10 minute sub on ‘the trunk’.  When I put the filter back in I ended up with the first image after about 30 minutes (mixed 10 minute plus 2 minute subs).  I Also had another go at the Western Veil area, the data was patchy but I guess I need to go for a good 2 - 3 hour imaging session to see if this improves. At least I seem to have ruled out issues with the AAP.

I’m hoping someone can help me with this problem as it’s ruined 2 imaging sessions so far and I haven’t been able to debug the issue. I’ve recently added the L-eNhance into my imaging train; WO GT71 scope with ASI533MC pro main cam. The first quick session I had was ok, the clouds were abundant so I only did 10 minute stacks of 2 minute subs on a few targets, but I was pleased with the improvement achieved, the Eastern Veil was well shown (shown below). The second night I was unable to get much data even when pushing to 5 minute subs. The red seemed suppressed with, what data there was, pushed to green and blue. After reboot of the AAP the situation did improve but then the clouds rolled in.

Thinking this was a one off glitch I set up last night’s session but found the same problem, this time not solved by rebooting. After lots of cable adjustments also didn’t help I took a couple of screenshots to show the issue. One thing I’ve noticed is that a single 3 second image generated in preview mode seems to be ok and have more data than a 2 minute sub in live view. I’ve attached the screenshots of these 2 on Messier 57.

Any help would be appreciated.

I was just getting first light on my L-eNhance filter and decided to get a quick 10 minutes on the bubble to see what improvement was delivered, I was surprised how bright the nova still is. I guess the strong hydrogen excess is helping to make it pop in the filtered view?

GT71 mk2 0.8x reducer flattener and the ASI 533MCPro. Mount this on an AZEQ5 which handles it just fine. Used only for imaging so never looked through it. 

Nice capture, I didn't realise the nova was so close to 'the bubble' if I had I'd have taken a quick image before the weather turned poor and perpetual twilight set in.

3 hours ago, Ken82 said:

Nice capture, what scope/camera are you using ? 

It’s heavily cropped Ken, my set up isn’t ideal, being a wide field set up; WO GT71 with 0.8x FF-FR and a ASI533MCP. This is about 45 mins of mixed sub lengths, a couple of 10minute subs when the sky had got a little darker.

Great capture, after seeing this I had a go, didn’t have much clear sky time (or darkness) but judging by the image it’s still pretty bright.

I went for the GT71 over the Redcat.  I've been more than happy with the scope for AP and with the (necessary) FF-FR 0.8x it's a pretty fast set up.

1 minute ago, vlaiv said:

Is it?

My bad then. I was looking at FLO website for description and pricing:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/william-optics/william-optics-zenithstar-81-apo.html

but I guess, I got the scope wrong, didn't I?

There is Zenithstar 81 and GT81 - two different scopes

 

I'm wrong too Vlaiv, as it was the ZS81 doublet......what is it with WO and their stupid 1 and 2mm lens steps?  

3 hours ago, vlaiv said:

WO GT81 is doublet so not really an answer to the puzzle that is ~£1000 80 triplet.

 

The WO GT81 is a FPL53 Triplet, it's the ZS83 that's a doublet.

Both nice scopes though.

The focusser on the GT71 (and the GT81) are now R&P.  I've found it rock solid in my GT71 with a ASI533MCP hanging off it.  The Flat6Aiii flattener/reducer screws directly into the current focusser and is a very good fit.

I briefly had an early version GT81 but, as a newbie, found it a challenge as everything cost and required knowledge/skills I didn't have to fit things to it (and I found the old crayford focusser a bit clunky for AP).  Eventually I sold it on but funds were such that I downsized to the new model GT71.  To be honest, I haven't found a massive difference in performance (focusser aside) between the 2 for AP. So if you are happy with the FOV considerations I wouldn't get too concerned over which model you eventually went for.

I use the AZ-EQ5 in my AP rig with a 70mm Refractor.  It's a great mount and for AP is one of the lighter options out there, I can move it about fine with the scope attached.  With the 100mm refractor option though I'd assume this would need possibly 2 weights instead of the one I need to get balance on my set up.  In this case you'd be looking at a 2 trip option which makes it a bit less grab and go.  On the positive side though, if you do decide to have a go at AP at some point it's a decent option for that.

I think it must be the '533' effect?  I've had less than 2 hours sky time with mine since it arrived 3 weeks ago.    

I managed to upgrade to a cooled camera, ASI533mc pro, just after Christmas. As expected, I’ve had nothing but cloud, rain, snow...since. Well, I exaggerate, but nowhere near enough clear sky to give the camera a proper run. The other night though I saw a bit of a zenithal gap that looked stable, so I thought let’s hit the double cluster. Amazingly I got 17 60 second subs before the clouds settled over for the night. I haven’t considered doing open clusters before but I was quite happy with the result considering and I’ll be looking at some others hopefully if the sky ever returns 😁

I'll have to revisit this one, the last time I looked was in the early 2000s with a 8" SCT.  Sadly the murk was a little too thick so I couldn't catch the red dwarf, I was very happy with seeing my first white dwarf though. 

Galaxies and Nebulae still covers a lot of ground.  I use a small WO GT71 to do widefield imaging on the larger nebulae and big galaxy targets such as M31 and M33.  If you are looking that way a 70 - 100mm APO triplet should do fine and you can run a 5 or 6 class mount.  If you are looking at small FOV then a 130-150 class scope and bigger mount will be needed.

I had one of these back in the day.  My skies were typically Bortle 8 where I lived at that time and I found I had the best views at lower power using (the supplied) 26 and 40mm eyepieces.  I occasionally used an 11mm Nagler and found my sky quite often couldn't take it. 

A lot of what you say strikes me of themals in the tube....mine was definitely fuzzy for the first hour or so, a little longer if it was brass monkey outside.   

You're obviously a stronger man than me!  I briefly considered one but cam to the conclusion that as a one man lift (including the OTA) I'd do my back/shoulder/other bits in so I caved and went for the more diminutive AZEQ5.  I suspect I'll never use in in AZ mode though.

Thanks, I use dew heaters on the main and guide objectives but wasn’t sure if it was essential to have one for the sensor window on the cooled camera.

I've decided to take the plunge and go for my first cooled camera, after much pontificating, although it's not an ideal pixel match, I've gone for the ASI533MC.  A couple of questions; firstly is the dew heater strip essential, is the session limited or could there be damage to the window if not used?  Secondly, I'm assuming that the camera couldn't be powered from my ASIair pro and that I'll need the separate power supply, is this correct?  TIA

Great image.  I little small to be imaged with my set up but I'll give it a go if the skies ever clear.  I remember being happy when I managed to see this one visually some years ago in my very light polluted sky with an 8" SCT.

Found myself looking at this a month or so back. Very small in my short fl set up but very pretty.