59 replies to this topic

[Joko]

These are incredible images from an extraordinary telescope and NVD set-up.

The NVD in Prime mode + a fast telescope is the best possible combo for these targets.

Congratulations.

Edited by Joko, 21 November 2023 - 05:41 AM.

[Mike Lockwood]

Thank you, I'm going to make a few tweaks (baffling, etc) and some kind of camera bracket, so the images may improve further, I hope.

 

I also plan to make a shorter stand for seated observing rather than standing (and hunching).

 

I got some tantalizing looks at parts of Orion and Monoceros last week, and I will get some images after the moon is out of the way and the skies clear again.

[Mauro Da Lio]

I suppose that the picture of the galaxy here http://www.loptics.c...objects_med.jpg is the only picture taken without filters. If so, this picture clearly shows the loss of contrast I have experienced visually with Gen3 tubes: the sky is almost as bright as the outer skirt of the galaxy. Which galaxy is this? 

[sixela]

Definitely NGC 253.

[Mike Lockwood]

No, there was at least one other starfield photo in the article in a different mosaic.  It is NGC 253.  Due to the low magnification of this 12.5" f/2, the galaxy won't appear as large as some expect.  And it's only a 12.5".

 

The single, small, fairly noisy photo that doesn't perfectly represent the visual view for multiple reasons (noise, size, etc), shows the crappy sky conditions at the rather low altitude on that night, not any shortcoming of the excellent tube.  In fact sky brightness does limit the view of ALL objects in the sky that have faint portions, if you think about it.

 

Despite this, the features of the galaxy were far easier to see with NV than visually.

[Mike Lockwood]

I just added some more images from the telescope in a new installment to my NV blog/article, dated Dec. 14:

 

http://www.loptics.c...ghtvision2.html

Edited by Mike Lockwood, 16 December 2023 - 05:20 PM.

[WheezyGod]

I just added some more images from the telescope in a new installment to my NV blog/article, dated Dec. 14:

http://www.loptics.c...ghtvision2.html

These are great! I looked at a bunch of these a few days ago before the moon starts to become a nuisance.

[Mike Lockwood]

Thought I'd post a little update......

 

It's been almost completey cloudy since Dec 14, so I've been working on the telescope.

 

I built a rocker box that breaks down for travel.  Previously I had modified the rocker box for my 12.5" Cassegrain as a temporary solution to save fabrication time.

 

I have added encoders (older ones borrowed from another scope for now) and a Nexus, USB hub, some other red USB-powered lights pointing downward to make the scope easy to see, and a tablet mount on an adjustable arm.  I'll mount a battery to power everything.

[BJS]

Will you be bringing it to wsp?

[Mike Lockwood]

Yes, that's why I'm working on it now so it's ready in its final form.  A few more pieces arrived today, and I just installed the tablet holder.

 

I made sure the scope can point at the horizon. 

[pwang99]

Mike, sorry I'm just catching up on the news now, several months late... Congrats on the new scope, it looks fabulous! :-)

 

One of my guesses was that you were working on some kind of a prime focus setup with a small 45º mirror & lens on the back end of the NV device, to allow for side-viewing, while minimizing the central occlusion.  (I still have a dream of doing this with a Hyperstar on my C11... )

[Joko]

 

One of my guesses was that you were working on some kind of a prime focus setup with a small 45º mirror & lens on the back end of the NV device, to allow for side-viewing, while minimizing the central occlusion.  (I still have a dream of doing this with a Hyperstar on my C11... )

See what a Japanese user did with his OVNI-M. Too short for prime mode with the C11 Hyperstar, but it may inspire you.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Joko, 18 January 2024 - 02:01 PM.

[t.mihai147]

I have made the following PoC for NV attachment to various telescopes and still be able to use it remotely (Sharpcap):

From top to bottom: NV with 1.25" adapter (C-mounted), relay lens system (similar to 25mm eyepiece) and then astrocamera.

Noise from NV screen is integrated by camera with Sharpcap stacking (30-60sec) so final picture on monitor is better than on NV tube.

(sorry for the adhesive tape usage, was just a fast PoC) 

 

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[Joko]

I have made the following PoC for NV attachment to various telescopes and still be able to use it remotely (Sharpcap):

From top to bottom: NV with 1.25" adapter (C-mounted), relay lens system (similar to 25mm eyepiece) and then astrocamera.

Noise from NV screen is integrated by camera with Sharpcap stacking (30-60sec) so final picture on monitor is better than on NV tube.

(sorry for the adhesive tape usage, was just a fast PoC) 

Your system don't have a diagonal after the NVD for visual use with C11 Hyperstar. So it will not work for visual observation with this telescope.

For astrophotography with your NVD here is how you can proceed with any telescope :

 

We have a blog and youtube channel for tutorials if you want to know more.

Edited by Joko, 20 January 2024 - 03:29 AM.

[Mike Lockwood]

If you want to have a filter wheel, none of that works because the obstruction is just as large, unfortunately.  It's also off-topic for this thread.

 

For what I wanted to achieve, a secondary mirror was necessary and the corrector was designed with this in mind.

 

The tripod for the telescope (for seated observing) is nearly finished, I'll post a photo of it here or on my web site when I have a chance.

[Mike Lockwood]

I had a fantastic time at WSP with the 12.5" f/2.  The tripod worked perfectly, and seated observing was so nice.

 

Many people came by to enjoy some of the views of all kinds of objects.  I'd say that for me, the Vela SuperNova Remnant (SNR) was the highlight because I had never explored all of it before in such contrast and detail at 1X with the PVS-14 and at ~25X with the 12.5" f/2.

 

I'll be writing up an article fairly soon, complete with a large number of photos of objects that are mostly correctly identified!

 

I think a new camera, probably black and white, that has less noise will be on my list to better show the views through this telescope and others.

 

Please post here if you stopped by and had a look through the scope.

[Mike Lockwood]

Maybe this will jog your memory, or perhaps no one from this group was there.  Here's a photo of the telescope, ready for observing, as darkness falls at WSP.

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[vicuna]

that looks amazing. can't wait to read your writeup and see the views.

 

do you ever go to the Cherry Springs star party? it's in June.

[Mike Lockwood]

Here's the article, there are lots of NV photos in it:  http://www.loptics.c...24/WSP2024.html

 

Cherry Springs is a long drive, and most of my time is filled with the two other star parties, unfortunately.  Someday.

[vicuna]

Incredible blog post and pics (Orion through the clouds was my favorite…and NG 3372 above the clouds).

 

Will re-read this a few times. Thank you for posting.

[Bearcub]

Will this telescope ever be in europe? i am already wanting it!

[Mike Lockwood]

Happy some of you enjoyed the article and the images.

 

This telescope is a prototype, no way it could go to Europe on a plane due to size, and I'd have to find someone with an NVD to borrow.  I might sell optical sets in the future, though, and there is a 16" set (primary, secondary, corrector) that is not yet sold.

[Mike Lockwood]

Here's a new article with photos from the 12.5" f/2 NVT from a dark Texas site:  http://www.loptics.c...clipse2024.html

 

I'm looking forward to getting some more images with it this summer at home (whenever the weather improves) and at Okie-Tex in late September.

[Deadlake]

Happy some of you enjoyed the article and the images.

 

This telescope is a prototype, no way it could go to Europe on a plane due to size, and I'd have to find someone with an NVD to borrow.  I might sell optical sets in the future, though, and there is a 16" set (primary, secondary, corrector) that is not yet sold.

How small could you make the scope then?
I’d be a bit perplexed if it was longer then say a C11 which is a lot slower, with a reducer and TV67 the effective speed is F3.

I’m sure TEC made some compound scope with a similar aperture to a C11 with half the physical length or smaller.

[Mauro Da Lio]

If you do not care about money... there are (corrected across the entire field):

 

- Riccardi Honders https://www.officina...oce-telescopes/

- Riccardi Fast https://www.officina...ast-telescopes/