The Whale Galaxy - 10" newt and Atik CCD

[tooth_dr]

This will be my first proper attempt at imaging with the 250px SW newt (FL=1200mm) and the Atik 383L+. 

I concentrated on luminance only.  I rejected around 25% of the subs, all from the second night as the seeing was much worse.  Clouds cut the first session short at 8 subs at midnight.

This left:

On night one 03-05-19 = 8 x 300s subs

On night two 04-05-19 = 28 x 300 subs

So total integration time was 3 hours.

 

Any pointers very welcome as always.

 

 

 

 

[Seanelly]

No pointers from this green thumb but a pat on the back for lots of detail up close. A whale of an image. (Sorry.)

[tooth_dr]

A less upside-down version, cropped, with slight sharpening.

 

[Saganite]

Another very fine image Adam.

Just a few weeks ago I found this in my 12" Dob for the first time and thought it very aptly named..

[drjolo]

Nice capture, and many faint fuzzies in the background. Have you used any coma corrector?

[tooth_dr]

1 hour ago, Saganite said:

Another very fine image Adam.

Just a few weeks ago I found this in my 12" Dob for the first time and thought it very aptly named..

Thanks Steve.  The dew controller you sold me played an important role keeping the guidescope working

1 hour ago, drjolo said:

Nice capture, and many faint fuzzies in the background. Have you used any coma corrector?

Thanks Lucas.  I have a SW CC in place.  I am fairly confident that this is correctly spaced.  However I am certain the overall scope collimation is not perfect.  I removed the mirror to clean it, and I've only collimated 2 or 3 times in the past, so it went back in and i did my best to get it roughly centred.  I will have a look at the collimation before I use it again.

I also think there is some movement elsewhere.  I imaged M104 low down and the stars are all elongated.  It may be guiding but I think it's focuser sag.  The joys of using a scope that isnt really designed for anything other than visual observations.

[drjolo]

I used to have this corrector some time ago with GSO 150/750 newtonian and Atik 383 as well - I think this is the one https://astrojolo.com/gears/pin-point-stars-on-sale/  - it also reduces the focal length a little. It was never easy to have it all collimated and aligned, but should be doable. These are example images I made with that setup (though resolution is small ) 

https://astrojolo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2013-09-06-NGC6914.jpg

https://astrojolo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2013-09-27-NGC6888-Ha.jpg

[cfpendock]

Some very nice detail in there.

Chris

[tooth_dr]

21 minutes ago, drjolo said:

I used to have this corrector some time ago with GSO 150/750 newtonian and Atik 383 as well - I think this is the one https://astrojolo.com/gears/pin-point-stars-on-sale/  - it also reduces the focal length a little. It was never easy to have it all collimated and aligned, but should be doable. These are example images I made with that setup (though resolution is small ) 

https://astrojolo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2013-09-06-NGC6914.jpg

https://astrojolo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2013-09-27-NGC6888-Ha.jpg

Beautiful images.

I'm actually going to correct myself ? I am in fact using a Baader MPCC, not a SW one.

[paul mc c]

Another cracker mate....

[Saganite]

54 minutes ago, tooth_dr said:

Thanks Steve.  The dew controller you sold me played an important role keeping the guidescope working

Thanks Lucas.  I have a SW CC in place.  I am fairly confident that this is correctly spaced.  However I am certain the overall scope collimation is not perfect.  I removed the mirror to clean it, and I've only collimated 2 or 3 times in the past, so it went back in and i did my best to get it roughly centred.  I will have a look at the collimation before I use it again.

I also think there is some movement elsewhere.  I imaged M104 low down and the stars are all elongated.  It may be guiding but I think it's focuser sag.  The joys of using a scope that isnt really designed for anything other than visual observations.

Well then, that is excellent !