First Light for the QHY163M & Tak FSQ-85EDX

[SyedT]

I recently managed to get my new gear out to have a play, pointed it at the Veil Nebula and away it went! Haven't had much time for processing due to work, but gave it a quick process to see how it looks so far. There's a background colour cast which is a bit annoying, but I'm sure it will process out. More data incoming hopefully, especially RGB stars.

Equipment:

Takahashi FSQ-85EDX
QHY163M + QHYCFW-2
Chroma 3nm Ha + OIII filters
Lakeside Astro Autofocuser
ZWO ASI 120MC-S + 9x50 finderguider
Avalon Linear Fast Reverse + T-110 Tripod
Hitec Astro Mount Hub Pro
PoleMaster

Software: SGPro, PHD2, PoleMaster, Stellarium

Lights – Ha 38x300s (3h10m) + OIII 44x300s (3h40m); Gain 200 Offset 50 @ -20C
Dark, flat and bias frames applied

Processed in AstroPixelProcessor, Pixinsight & PS
 

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Very nice detail

[Alan White]

Nice, is that a bit of Pickerings to the right side?

[SyedT]

13 hours ago, michael.h.f.wilkinson said:

Very nice detail

Thanks Michael!

12 hours ago, Alan White said:

Nice, is that a bit of Pickerings to the right side?

Thanks Alan. I think it's the nebulosity in between the veil and Pickering's. Could be wrong though!

[swag72]

How are the corners when  looking close? I ask as I know that the imaging circle couldn't cover the 11000 full frame chip...... does it work with this without any issues? Are you using the reducer?

[wxsatuser]

22 minutes ago, swag72 said:

How are the corners when  looking close? I ask as I know that the imaging circle couldn't cover the 11000 full frame chip...... does it work with this without any issues? Are you using the reducer?

It's a 4/3 sensor so there should be no problem on that scope.

[AngryDonkey]

There is also now the 1.01 flattener which will extend the imaging circle to full frame for the FSQ85 (really to what it should have been in the first place...). Got one on order, in fact it should arrive today. Of course it won't work with the reducer.

Nice image! I've got very similar equipment and it's been trouble free and a joy to use so far.

[SyedT]

5 hours ago, swag72 said:

How are the corners when  looking close? I ask as I know that the imaging circle couldn't cover the 11000 full frame chip...... does it work with this without any issues? Are you using the reducer?

Not using the reducer, but the corner stars aren't that great at the moment. It changes with the angle of the scope so I suspect there is some focuser sag, and I've confirmed this by manually moving it about and there's a bit of slop. I think I'll have to tighten it up a bit using the grub screws. The sensor itself is very well covered by the imaging circle.

[SyedT]

2 hours ago, AngryDonkey said:

There is also now the 1.01 flattener which will extend the imaging circle to full frame for the FSQ85 (really to what it should have been in the first place...). Got one on order, in fact it should arrive today. Of course it won't work with the reducer.

Nice image! I've got very similar equipment and it's been trouble free and a joy to use so far.

Thanks Mike! How are you finding the focuser on the FSQ? I think there's some slop/lateral movement in mine which is causing star distortion at the edges.

[AngryDonkey]

On 29/11/2018 at 15:18, SyedT said:

How are you finding the focuser on the FSQ? I think there's some slop/lateral movement in mine which is causing star distortion at the edges.

Mine seems to be pretty tight, I haven't seen or felt any movement yet. I'll give it a good try next time I'm out to double check.