A weekend of DSO firsts!

[laser_jock99]

Last weekend (April 5-6th) saw lovely clear skies in Powys so I made maximum use of the darkness to try out my 12"/F4 scope in it's new location, only going to bed when the morning twilight got too bright even for narrow band work.

NGC7028 Iris Nebula 600s single sub (no darks/flats) ISO800. Fuji S5 Pro Camera (1200mm/F4 scope)

A wider view of the Iris Nebula showing some of the extensive dust fields in the area. Single 200s sub (no darks/flats) ISO1000. Fuji IS Pro Camera (1200mm/F2.9 scope)

First supernova M65/66- 300s single sub (no darks/flats) ISO800. Fuji S5 Pro Camera (1200mm/F4 scope)

A bit low on the horizon but worth a quick pop- Cone Nebula & Christmas Tree Cluster. Single 600s sub (no darks/flats) ISO1000. Fuji IS Pro Camera (1200mm/F2.9 scope)

IC1396 Elephants Trunk Nebula. Single 300s sub (no darks/flats) ISO3200. Fuji IS Pro Camera (1200mm/F2.9 scope)

[laser_jock99]

...some more.

M51 Single 140s sub (no darks/flats) ISO2000. Fuji IS Pro Camera (1200mm/F2.9 scope)

Sadr, Cygnus Single 300s sub (no darks/flats) ISO800. Fuji IS Pro Camera (1200mm/F2.9 scope)

Markarian Chain, Virgo. Single 300s sub (no darks/flats) ISO800. Fuji IS Pro Camera (1200mm/F2.9 scope)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f206/laser_jock99/ASTRONOMICAL/DSIR6686_1024_zps2b2a15dd.jpg

Finally a slightly experimental narrow band image taken in early morning twighlight. Crescent Nebula Cygnus. Single 1200s sub (no darks/flats) ISO1000. Fuji IS Pro Camera (1200mm/F2.9 scope)

[stem1989]

single subs these are astonishing! thats f/4 for you though

[Shibby]

Wow, that's a real photon hoover! F/2.9! Nice images

[planetdnb]

thats amazing for single subs!

[sologuitarist61]

What a great set of images!

[laser_jock99]

Wow, that's a real photon hoover! F/2.9! Nice images

Thanks all. I'm sure in the right hands this scope could be a formidable instrument. I need to do more work on the mirror cell (slight re-collimation is necessary after slewing around) and shorten the Crayford focusser somehow (perfect focus is not achieveable at the recomended CCD-to-corrector distance). But overall I think I'm making progress. The ASA Keller corrector/reducer is the real 'secret weapon' in this set up though- not the scope itself.

[sulaco]

absolutely brilliant for single subtle, I especially like the M51 as i imaged that just the other night.

[Mr Bergman]

Impressive! Your single subs are better than many hours work for others:-)

[andyo]

Very impressive a great set of images

[Beardy Bob]

Wow, nice subs!

[Gina]

Amazing single subs

[Zakalwe]

Amazing single sub images. My gob is well and truly smacked.

I would love to see a stack of the M51 with about 3 hours worth in it.

[nytecam]

Brilliant, brilliant brilliant - a man after my own heart who does spend a whole weekend on one object - keep 'em comming and you may change the AP world