Scott Mitchell
super member
Reged: 07/28/07
Posts: 119
Loc: Atlanta-ish, GA
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I got a wedge for my LX90 and finally got to take it out Friday night to try it out (after the obligatory week of clouds and wicked thunder storms). I did a (very) rough polar alignment and then started to see how it behaved. It was certainly strange looking. Goto's were not very accurate, but it seemed to be tracking OK. So I got out the camera and thought I'd see what it could do. I tried several 30 second subs, but too many showing tracking issues. I settled on 20 second subs which really isn't better than I was doing in alt-az, but I imagine that will improve as I figure out the polar alignment thing. So, I'm happy so far. This is also my first repeat target from last year, and I do think I'm better off. The improvement is from several different factors beyond simple experience: flats, UHC filter, and obviously the wedge.
Anyway, enough rambling so here are the specs and the actual picture. Any and all feedback is more than welcome.
Target: M27
Scope: 8" LX90 on standard wedge w/.5 focal reducer
Camera: DSI Pro
Exposures: 27 15/20 second subs
Filter: Celestron UHC
Software: Envisage, DSS, Photoshop 7
Edited by Scott Mitchell (08/04/08 09:59 PM)
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DaemonGPF
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/22/08
Posts: 1392
Loc: New Mexico
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That's increadibly detailed for 15 second subs. Congrats!
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-Josh
*Orion Starblast Imaging 150mm OTA
*Orion Starblast Imaging 114mm OTA
*Meade 50mm AR short tube OTA
*Meade DSI Pro IIc
*Orion Starshoot DSCI
*CG5 mount
http://cleardarksky.com/c/AlbuqNMkey.html
My Messier Project Gallery
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Chris_H
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 2851
Loc: Norway
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Agreed! Think that has to be one of the best short sub images I have seen! You didn't stack that many either so well done!
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Chris
"Big Papa Smurf" (254mm f/4.7 Sky-Watcher Newt)
Custom Orion Optics 150mm f/8 reflektor "Planet Killer" (On its way!!!)
SPC900
Canon Powershot A610 (CHDK modded)
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s58y
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/12/04
Posts: 4832
Loc: Eastern NY
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Nice -- you managed to pick up quite a few faint areas in less than 9 minutes of exposure.
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Hutech 30D, SBIG ST-402 autoguider
SV80S, SV66 guidescope
AP900, G-11, Barndoor tracker
http://www.pbase.com/s58y
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EricJD
super member
Reged: 07/24/07
Posts: 112
Loc: Chesapeake VA
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I may be wrong but I think your focus is a tad soft? Or maybe that's seeing.
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Orion 120mm @ f5
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nofxrx
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 1418
Loc: palm bay,florida
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Quote:
I may be wrong but I think your focus is a tad soft? Or maybe that's seeing.
I may be wrong too but,I think the Neb in the center is in near perfect focus,but from there out to the edges is probably coma from the reducer used...
Great image.I agree with what everyone said.Detail is superb for such short sub times!!!!
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Brent Oliver
3 Wonderful dogs: Sadie, Kara and Ozzie
Celestron C10-N///C9.25///Orion 80ED///WO ZS66SD White
Celestron CI-700 & ASGT Eq. Mounts
Nikon D40Xa///SBIG ST-402ME/Class 1/CFW///DSI-PRO...
My Gallery
Ohh yeah,and a VERY undersanding wife!! 
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David Rosenthal
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/23/06
Posts: 1179
Loc: Midland Park, NJ
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I had to use 5 minute subs to get that much outer detail. Great job !!1
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David Rosenthal | Midland Park, NJ
My Image Gallery
LX90 8" + Feathertouch | Orion ED80 | WO ZS66SD
Orion SVP [SynScan + GPUSB]
Self Modded 400D | DSI Pro | SPC900NC
5000 26mm, Hyperion 17mm, TV 11mm
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NyxAither
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/11/07
Posts: 774
Loc: Arlington VA
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beautiful image!
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Thomas
Orion XT8i
Orion 80-T Refractor
CG5 GoTo Mount w/ COL
Meade DSI II Color
Meade DSI (THANKS TODD N!!!)
Orion 4.5" Imaging Reflector
Laptop: Trusty Mac osX Powerbook G4
Early 1960's Gilbert 3" astronomical telescope
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SPC900NC
..::*~*Clear Skies*~*::..
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Scott Mitchell
super member
Reged: 07/28/07
Posts: 119
Loc: Atlanta-ish, GA
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Thanks for the positive comments everyone!
Eric and Brent, I do believe you are both right. The focus did seem to be a bit soft. I sharpened a bit to try to fix it up. Additionally, the focal reducer does seem to cause a bit of coma (at least I think that's the right term for it). I will hopefully acquire an f/6.3 focal reducer which is a flattener as well at some point in the future. In the mean time I will spend my time trying to figure out this polar alignment thing with the wedge. It looks like just that will keep me busy for a while. Then there is the whole auto-guiding thing to figure out (just need a counter weight bar before I can start on that). Always something new to learn/buy in this hobby!
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Nils_Lars
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 922
Loc: Santa Cruz Mountains , CA
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I think you got a great start on AP , the polar align thing does get easier you just have to figure out drift align.
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Erik
Orion ED 80
Orion Atlas GOTO mount
Williams Optics reducer
Various eyepieces and other gear
Baytronix 80mm guidescope
Orion Starshoot Autoguider
PHD guide
Canon 400D (unmodded)
Stilleto Focuser
Tamron 75-300mm&28-80mm lenses
NexImage webcam
http://home.comcast.net/~eriknlarsen/site/?/photos/
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