5 replies to this topic

[mrflibbles]

Just out if curiosity which targets are best for large telescopes? Google search isn't coming up with much useful results.

For example: I know dumbell nebula, and ring nebula look great through a C-14.

In other word, targets that would be otherwise be lackluster in smaller scopes, but fill a nice size frame when imaged through a large scope. They dont necessary need to be total frame fillers, but just look better in a narrower FOV. Like my previous ring nebula example. Its still relatively small in the frame even through a C-14 imaged with a 24mp slr, but looks quite good.

Just to be clear the above camera and TS combo is just an example. This is a general discussion question. "Not" a what looks good with that specific setup question.

Edited by mrflibbles, 14 August 2024 - 02:39 AM.

[Sheridan]

This is really going to depend on the F ratio of the scope.  The C14 mentioned is a F10 scope which is really slow optics and a focal length of 30xx mm's. It is good for small galaxies but horrible for most nebula as they are huge.  A 14" Rasa at F2.2 would be a much better choice as it has a much wider field of view. The downside to the Rasa is the cost at almost 19K.   So based on your question it really depends on the optic design of the scope.   Even on my 8 SCT I end up using a focal reducer to get decent images.  There are always trade offs when it comes to optics

Edited by Sheridan, 14 August 2024 - 07:11 AM.

[idclimber]

Small galaxies that are primarily available to image in the spring. M101, M51, and the Fireworks galaxy are three that I got reasonable results, linked below. I have imaged others but most I was unhappy with or are unfinished data sets. With these larger scopes you do have to have a really good mount. I stated this journey with an MX+ and recently upgraded to the AP1600. Even with that very capable mount,  I still rarely put my 12" SCT on it. In fact the SCT has only been on my MX+.  I prefer to image with the 6" refractor at either f/6 or f/8 and the images are sharper. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Robert7980]

Poke around on AstroBin, just about everything is a good target, then there are the targets that only the huge scopes can grab. I don’t think huge SCTs are much in favor these days, I see more RCs and CDKs than anything else in the 14” and up category. The images from those massive Planewave CDKs are truly incredible, you’d better have a truly great location though if you’re planning on going that deep in. 

[astroian]

Hello,

Planetary nebula make good targets for these large instruments. Quite a few in the NGC catalogue, 4 in Messier’s if I remember correctly and I think there’s some in the Sharpless catalogue. But the PNG catalogue is best for Planetary nebulae.

Cheers,
Ian

[mrflibbles]

Yes every situation is different. Cams vary with sensor sizes and whatknot. I'm just curious what you like to image. The above C-14 is just an example, just a frame of reference to get the ball rolling. I'm not even looking for targets myself. There are limitations I have on the C-14 I use. It's my astronomy clubs and not mine. It is stationary inside a rolloff dome, and is slowly being engulfed with light pollution as time goes on. As I said though, this is not a C-14 discussion. There are targets some people have I will never be able to get and that's ok, but I'm not interested in what I can get. Generally speaking a large scope is going to have different targets than a small scope. There are workarounds for some obstacles, taking mosaics for example, but I'm talking in general.
 
I'm really just curious what "you" go after with a large telescope. I'm not fishing for ideas (ok maybe a little), more just curious what large telescope users are targeting, even if I'm incapable of said target.
 
 
 

Small galaxies that are primarily available to image in the spring. M101, M51, and the Fireworks galaxy are three that I got reasonable results, linked below. I have imaged others but most I was unhappy with or are unfinished data sets. With these larger scopes you do have to have a really good mount. I stated this journey with an MX+ and recently upgraded to the AP1600. Even with that very capable mount,  I still rarely put my 12" SCT on it. In fact the SCT has only been on my MX+.  I prefer to image with the 6" refractor at either f/6 or f/8 and the images are sharper.

 
Yeah that's what I'm talking about. Nice!




BTW I purposely posted in DSO imaging. I know large telescopes are really good at planets. I'm curious about DSO and big scopes, just to clarify.

Edited by mrflibbles, 14 August 2024 - 05:03 PM.