Clavius, Copernicus and Sinus Iridum

[Ant]

The third instalment of my imaging run yesterday was the moon. 

These images were taken with the Skymax127, 2.5 power mate and DMK21. 

I have to admit to getting cold by this point. I also hate using the stock focuser on the DMK - must speak with FLO about an upgraded focuser. So i probably didn't take as much care as I should have done in either framing or focusing.

I'm fairly happy with these, although I think that are a little under exposed. I think that was also the issue with my high power Jupiter AVIs - I'll know for next time as I hate throwing 10Gb of Jupiter data in the bin

Thanks for looking...

Ant

[Mak One]

Nice. Mak127 punching above its weight again. And yes, it was chilly, wasn't it! Makes a nice change from the wind and rain though.

[Ant]

Thanks Ash. I agree the little Skymax127 really does punch above it's weight.

To think that this little inexpensive scope can image craters as small as 4miles across! And that was the smallest crater I could find where I could verify the size. I reckon I'm down to about a mile

[JamesF]

Very nice images.  Motorising the focuser helps loads.  Failing that I guess an external focuser is required, but that adds a lot to the effective focal length and isn't always desirable.

James

[Virgoman]

A fine set of images Ant. Pity about your Jupiter runs.

             Best regards,

                                   Ralph

[nightfisher]

Nice images Ant, did not know you did luna imaging

[Ant]

I might look at an electric focuser then, but the movement in the mirror may be the majority of the problem. But in time I'll give most things a try

Jules, I have the kit to do all sorts of imaging, I posted a Jupiter image and some solar yesterday as well

I did get one Jupiter worth keeping Ralph, so not a complete waste, it was just the barlowed attempts that failed - under exposed I think.

Jack of all trades, master of none... That's me. :/

Cheers

Ant

[Sam]

Great images Ant.

[JamesF]

I might look at an electric focuser then, but the movement in the mirror may be the majority of the problem. But in time I'll give most things a try

Mirror shift when the focuser changes direction is definitely noticeable.  What I've found now I've motorised mine however is that I can turn the focuser so slowly that it's obvious where and when that starts and stops and it's therefore much easier to account for especially as there's no other source of vibration when the focuser is moving, such as my fat fingers on the focuser knob.

Unless the seeing is unusually steady what I usually end up doing is moving the mirror back and forth through the focus point quite a number of times to get a feel for where it really should be, which is much easier when you can say "this bit is down to mirror shift" and "this is the focus actually changing".  By the time I'm done I'm probably actually moving the focuser in far smaller amounts than is even possible to do manually with a good degree of control.

James

[Luke]

Very nice, Ant Nice to see the labels in the 2nd image, I'm trying to learn the names of some of the features. Was a cold night!! :-o

[Ant]

Cheers Luke  

James, what electric focuser solution have you used? Is it an off the shelf product or a DIY make it work fix?

[JamesF]

Cheers Luke

James, what electric focuser solution have you used? Is it an off the shelf product or a DIY make it work fix?

It's the standard Skywatcher motorised focuser, but I modded it to work with the Mak.  I thought I wrote it up in the DIY section.  I'll have a look for it.

James

[JamesF]

Here it is:

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/135260-127-mak-motor-drive-focuser/

James

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Lovely captures!

[prokyon]

Nice work with the Mak! I had this telescope and so I have to appreciate your work.