Astrotrac Results - First Two Weeks With Tracking

[Gonzo]

I do really like your pictures, do you have a guiding camera? Would like to see some pictures with the Astrotrac being guider, if you know what I mean.

[Gina]

Nice image there

[Ruediger]

Looking forward to see more Astrotrac pics from you. Very nice pics you show us here.

I thought about buying one but then switched to a full mount as i wanted more focal length than 400mm ( and think 400mm are hard to guide on an Astrotrac).

But i am sure one will follow in a few years

Widefields can be done very accurate and the Canon lenses are great astro lenses IMO and just perfect for the use on an AT.

Best regards and CS

Rüdiger

[iksose7]

Cheers folks

Gonzo - No, i dont have a guiding camera. I have thought about it but i think i just want to keep things simple for now!

Rüdiger - Thanks! Yes, tracking on the AT over 400mm would be tricky. It can be done though, i know StuartJJP on here uses the AT with a 500mm and produced some very nice images! I think i will try and buy a proper mount and scope at the end of the year or early next year so i can get closer to some of these DSOs. If i won the lotto i would be ordering an Orion Optics AG12 f3.8, that looks like my dream scope right now for what i want to do.

But... i dont play the lottory

[iksose7]

M8+M20: The Lagoon and the Triffid

Exposure: 1 hour 20 minutes of 120 second subs, f3.2, ISO 800

North America Neb

Exposure: 2 hours of 120 second subs, f3.2, ISO 800

The Veil Nebula

Exposure: 1 hour 30 minutes of 150 second subs, f3.2, ISO 800

M101 - The Pinwheel Galaxy reprocess

Had to have a reprocess since i finally got my monitor colour calibrated

All images shot with a EF200L lens.

[deckardbr]

Damn you. You just got me to spend the money to buy the astrotrac kit!

[LukeSkywatcher]

I dont think ive ever seen a bad image taken with an astrotrac. From beginners to experienced imagers,they all seem to get great results. Its not something i'd rule out buying in the future.

[x6gas]

I dont think ive ever seen a bad image taken with an astrotrac. From beginners to experienced imagers,they all seem to get great results. Its not something i'd rule out buying in the future.

You haven't seen my images then Luke!

To be fair, I haven't used my AT very much - it's for taking on holiday and the stock lenses I have with my DSLR are truly awful. I have a nice Zeiss lens that I am going to try with my Atik 383L for some wide field stuff later in the summer...

[Gina]

Very nice images

[Gonzo]

I also do really believe that dark sites have a lot to do in the final pictures quality, it does help tremendously.

[iksose7]

Thanks everyone. Yes, the Astrotrac is a great bit of kit. So long as you have a nice piece of glass to sit on top of it! Only problem though is i've outgrown it quite fast so i will be buying a EQ mount soonish, but still keeping the AT

Heres a few more i've taken recently

The Pacman Neb - 1 hour 30 minutes of 120 second exposures, f3.2, ISO 800

The Pipe Nebula or as i have dubbed it - Barnard City. Just over an hours worth of 120 second exposures, f3.2, ISO 800

M81+M82 widefield with a hint of IFN - 6 hours exposure, 120-180s, f3.5, ISO 800

The Milky Way - The first long exposure image i've taken with Canons stock 18-55mm. Didnt turn out too well! Made up of 1 hours worth of 60 second exposures, f3.5, ISO 1600.

My first mosaic. Each panel was just over an hours exposure except one which was around 40 mins. I planned on making this a 3x5 mosaic totalling 15 panels, i only managed 4 before the galactic centre was too low in my sky thats what you get for making a spur of the moment decision! I will be better prepared next time.

The Double Cluster in Perseus. 60 60 second subs, f4, ISO 800

[Digz]

Great shots. It's funny you say you've outgrown the AT and will be getting an EQ mount. I've gone the other way favouring the AT over its simplicity of set up. I can't wait to get back out in the autumn and winter to put it through its paces.

[willinliv]

Coming late to this thread - but also just wanted to say that I am very entertained by your pictures - I have just got an Astrotrac and a 200mm 2.8 and very much looking forward to using it - although I'd imagine that Merseyside skies will not be so generous. Off to Scotland in the new year so hoping for clement weather! Thanks