NGC1977 - M42 with ST80 scope

[moondog]

Yes - I know, but I haven't imaged M42 since Dec2006!

When I got the ST80 as a low cost guide scope, I was impressed by the apparent optical quality.

So decided to try it for imaging - 19 x 30secs subs @ 1600 ISO Canon350D EOS with UHC_S filter. Seeing 2/5

(click to enlarge)

MD

[steppenwolf]

You've done very nicely with some good colour. There appears to be a little bit of field rotation which could be polar alignment if using an EQ or typical if using an Alt/Az - what mount was this taken on?

[MartinB]

Crikey! that certainly worked. Great result with the ST80

[jgs001]

Nice one MD.

[jcm]

Excellent image.

I think I better swap my APO and ST80 round and use the APO for guiding

John

[RobH]

Good result and nicely framed MD.

Cheers

Rob

[moondog]

Steve - Yes I know there was field rotation. I normally polar align the scope but the sky didn't look as if it would wait for me to do that.

The mount was an HEQ5, which I levelled and just pointed approx. to the north.

I didn't expect much of an image with the ST80 and I was surprised at the quality. Next time I promise to give it a bit more care and attention!

Thanks for the comments.

MD

[Beyond_Vision]

You did well for a small amount of subs with the Running man coming out very well.

Regards

Kevin

[steppenwolf]

I think I better swap my APO and ST80 round and use the APO for guiding

With images this good, this is not such a bad idea!

[steppenwolf]

The mount was an HEQ5, which I levelled and just pointed approx. to the north.

Well, I'm glad you did because the result was well worth it.

[moondog]

You did well for a small amount of subs with the Running man coming out very well.

The ST8 is an F5 scope which helps.

MD

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Those ST80s are quite amazing things for imaging, I really like mine, especially for narrow band imaging as it becomes an APO then.

Great capture MD.

Kaptain Klevtsov

[CELESCOPE]

THats a cracker MD fantastic infact , great colour as well .

Rog

[barkis]

Great outcome MD. What a pity you did not have this gear Down Under with you. It bodes well for you whenever you move mate.

We can look forward to some super stuff from the Southern skies.

Ron.

[markcol]

Nice result MD!

Mark

[zhgutas]

No way it's ST80! stunning picture for this scope. oh, what am I kidding, stunning image for any scope

Marius

[moondog]

Great outcome MD. What a pity you did not have this gear Down Under with you. It bodes well for you whenever you move mate.

We can look forward to some super stuff from the Southern skies.

Ron.

Now we're back we are putting the pressure on to complete the house sale. It's not a good time for house sales in the UK at the moment.

Spending 3 months out in NZ and seeing the night sky on a regular basis has made me change my mind about the astro gear I intend to take with me. There might be a bit of kit for sale on SGL soon!

8)

MD

[Rob]

Had a small play in Paintshop Pro 8. Just got rid of some noise & artifacts (hope you dont mind)... its a super image

(click to enlarge)

[moondog]

Thanks Rob and no, I don't mind.

With the ST80, a DSLR and a decent astro processor on the job, the skies the limit (literally)!

M42 was pretty low down in the South West as well. This is where I have some LP - the UHC-S filter did a good job.

Wish I'd had time to polar align the scope to get rid of the slight field rotation - but then I'd have missed the chance.

8)

MD

[centroid]

Just goes to show what can be done with the low cost ST80 John, and should be quite an encourgement to newcomers on a restricted budget.

Nice work indeed!!

Dave

[moondog]

Hope it does encourage newcomers Dave - it's certainly encouraged me to use it again on some suitable objects.

As KK says the ST80 becomes an APO if you use it for narrow band imaging. Think I'll get an Ha filter and try it.

Makes a cracking little travel scope with a lightweight tracker mount to take 'down under' for the great skies.

I'm sure we would both have liked this set up when we were down under earlier this year!

8)

MD

[jgs001]

I'm looking forward to giving something like this a go now with my ST80 alike. Thanks for the inspiration.

[centroid]

Certainly would have John, but like you probably, we struggled with the 20kg baggage allowance as it was.

I had planned to take my 15x70's with me, but there just wasn't any weight capacity left. Even our hand baggage was 'stuffed' with Cadbury's chocolate , Aussie chocolate just isn't the same, and real Cadbury's is very expensive out there.

So, the family rely on us to bring in fresh supplies of decent chocolate.

Anyway, hopefully you won't have to worry about what to take, as it will all fit nicely into the large 'Container', along with everything else.

Dave

[moondog]

Tell you what Dave - if we get out to NZ, you're welcome to come over and have a go with my astro gear.

I'll do a swap for a bar of Cadbury's Fruit & Nut (UK style). I understand that Cabury's have a different recipe for 'hot' countries - so the choccies don't melt. That's why it doesn't taste the same as in the UK.

8)

MD

[Sam]

MD,

Whittaker's is the local choc in NZ - did you try it when you were there?