3 replies to this topic

[The Ardent]

I was experimenting with a different setup this weekend, an alt-azimuth mounted Newtonian for visual observing (not a Dobsonian) While observing some of the lovely sights in Puppis like M93, NGC 2467, and the lovely gold Xi Pup, I came across a neat triple near Omicron Pup. 

 

South 561 is rather wide, quite conspicuous, and has a slight color contrast. The Milky Way field here is full of faint doubles, especially around field star AD Pup. I was able to both sketch it Friday evening and photograph it on Saturday. The imaging was unplanned. But given the view, I wanted to capture it for later study. 

 

Doing this without tracking requires very short exposures and high ISO, opposite of what my prior experience has taught. After a few tries and lots of deleted blurry trails, I got something somewhat useable. 

 

Im pretty excited that it worked! 

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[The Ardent]

Here is the sketch of South 561. The sketch is inverted from the camera image. 

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[flt158]

Excellent contribution by you here, Ray. 

Thank you for showing us your recent multiple star groups. 

 

I was only observing Sigma Orionis and STF 761 last Thursday night. 

And I believe I have been looking at them both since the late 1970's. 

 

Oh yes! It is always good to be charitable and compassionate. 

Good Motto that!

 

Very best regards from Aubrey.  

[c2m2t]

Hi Ray!

Excellent shoots! I have been doing a similar experiment with my 12" Meade LX200 SCT, trying to emulate what I am able to image with my SW 100 ProED in a 30 second exposure. I can very practically, with a 3 to 5 second exposure, able to achieve a similar result and the fov is very similar...and I don't need the barlow which surprises me a bit. This works best when one is imaging closer to the NCP given that sky move slower the closer to Polaris that you get. Only issue is that each image has a slightly different north/south line.

 

I am a bit amazed at the shortness of your exposure...those high ISO's sure help. Love to see images!! The mini Sagitta, Sigma Orionis, is one of my favourites for a star party. I did check my doubles inventory for Puppis...several more South systems that I have captured, that are very punchy and easy to see...but no S 561. I have added it to my list...but it could be just a bit too south for me...sorry for the pun. Actually, I am quite surprised that Dr. South spent any time in Puppis given his main observing activities being in England. But I have a nagging suspicion that he spent some time in France observing and cataloging. Other systems that I have imaged are South's 550, 557, 563 and 568. Although brighter, none are quite as exciting as S 561.

 

Cheers, Chris.