DSO with MAK on AZ mount

[tekkydave]

Hi, I have a Celestron SLT127 on it's standard AZ mount. I know this is not really a useful configuration for DSO imaging but has anybody had any success with it. I am assuming that exposures will need to be short and any field-rotation corrected in software but I would like to give it a go just to see what results can be gained. I have a cheap webcam & 1.25" adapter and also a Sony A100 DSLR with adapter to use. Thanks

Dave

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I do not think you stand a chance. Planetary could be done, but otherwise not

[DaveS]

^^ WHS ^^

Planetary might be do-able with your webcam but DSOs will be a hiding to nothing, sorry.

[knobby]

If you really want to have a go... Try Orion, its reasonably bright. Search for Paulus17 posts, he's done some awesome stuff with a 127 Mak

[tekkydave]

Cheers, I'll do that. I have noticed a few DSO images around taken using the 127 MAK but I assume they were done using a proper mount & guiding of some sort.

Dave

[jambouk]

The main limitation is the duration of the subs you'll be able to achieve; 10-20 seconds. If you could accumulate several hours worth of these on brigher DSOs, you might have something, but you'd need to plan it carefully so you don't lose crucial bits of the image due to field rotation over that time, and you would need to check the focus too to make sure it wasn't shifting.

Paulus17 has a lovely image of the Orion Nebula somewhere and shows what sort of things can be achieved.

Mounting the 127 Mak on a good equatorial mount would allow you to take longer subs, but you'd still likely be limited to 60-120 seconds without guiding I suspect.

It's fun trying this stuff though, and it researching and playing allows you to build up a good understanding of your equipment and techniques.

James

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

If you get yourself an EQ mount, why not have a go with your DSLR and standard or short telephoto lenses. These can produce great results with much less need for guiding. Great for large objects

[tekkydave]

Thanks all for the advice. What's the minimum EQ mount do you think I could put the 127 MAK on. It's not the lightest of objects!

[jambouk]

If you want to image with it, eq5.

James

[Guy Wells]

I have a 127. I will be trying to image on a goto lol