'First' Light 130P modded + Homebrew AstroEQ

[John78]

Ok - finally a break in the fog and clouds - so took the 130P outside tonight to a after its shortening mods on Saturday and focuser rebuild today, I did my first ever polar alignment, did my first ever EQmod alignment - decided a wireless game-pad is a necessity after doing this!!  Recommendations??  Realised I'd forgotten to change my GPS position in EQ and Stellarium but only 3 miles from home so thought I might as well try it and slewed to Orion and it was on the camera screen after a few seconds of shutter open  13 seconds seemed to be the optimum time given the LP... My subs look like attached - I didn't DSS them yet - I'm tired and I don't know what I'm doing really, I'll watch some tutorials at work - I have about 5 minutes worth to work with...

I did try Andromeda also but its quite low on the horizon and right in the LP emanating from Stevenage so I don't hold out much hope - I don't think I'll need guiding around where I live much as 60 sec exposure is orange wash out, until they switch the lights off at midnight I guess....

Still worried about focus and collimation - but at least I can see something in the picture

Feel pleased what I've achieved so far for £120.  £135 for EQ5 but sold the motors for £60, bought 130P for £45 and home-brew AstroEQ with parts I had lying around at home.  Clearly plenty of scope for improvement.

[Astrosurf]

Not bad at all! Just a tad out of focus. I would recommend using a Bahtinov Mask on a bright star to focus. I'd be lost without mine.

What camera did you use? If a Canon, the Astronomik clip-in filter is excellent (for sodium lights - none for LEDs I'm afraid, except narrowband imaging!) and will allow you to push up your exposures.

Can't advise on a  wireless game-pad but others will be along soon to advise.

Alexxx

[John78]

Yeah I will be constructing a mask today to help with focusing.  

 

I ran the subs through DSS and sharpened a little in GIMP and got this which is quite pleasing to me for my first attempt...  I have a central glow in the middle of the image which I assume would be fixed with flats (if I had taken any?)

[John78]

Oh I have another question also, can anyone tell me the root cause of spikes have two sets of lines?  Is my spider bent or something else that needs rectifying in my tube?

[Astrosurf]

It could be just being out of focus but I'm not sure.