The rumors were...

Astrophotography: share your photos & discuss techniques
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rjbokleman
Posts: 517
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2014 11:09 pm

The rumors were...

Unread post by rjbokleman »

true. As Bill L. mentioned, I did acquire an C8 EdgeHD while at NEAF. I was really torn between an AT8RC and the C8 EdgeHD. In the end, the C8 won me over on flexibility and longer focal length (HyperStar,1422mm/2032mm), though I reserve the right to acquire an RC at some point in the future. :lol:

I've been struggling with the OAG as guiding at this focal length sure can be a challenge. Andy, as always, has been a great source of help as well as Cloudynights. Nothing to show for my efforts thus far as far as guiding is concerned, but hopefully not too far off in the future.

I will also be trying to guide with my SV60EDS (330mm) on top of the C8, but am waiting on the rings from ADM.

In the meantime, I've included the traditional Moon shot officially breaking in the scope for AP.

C8 EdgeHD, w/iEQ45
Image

Close Up of the OAG
Image

Moon
Image
Ron B.
T5i/700D, ASI1600MM-C, ASI120MM, ASI174MM, XAGYL 7x36mm FW
Astronomik Deep-Sky(RGB), CLS, Ha, OIII, SII
SV60EDS 60mm f/5.5 APO
AT65EDQ 65mm f/6.5 ED Quadruplet
SW ProED 100mm f/9.0 Doublet APO
C8 EdgeHD, AT130EDT
AVX, iEQ45 Pro

http://www.astrobin.com/users/rjbokleman/
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AndyG
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Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2011 10:18 pm

Re: The rumors were...

Unread post by AndyG »

Congrats on the new gear, getting it all working, and the sweet moon image!
Andy
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mrgizmo65
10+ Years Member
Posts: 2650
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 9:02 pm

Re: The rumors were...

Unread post by mrgizmo65 »

Congratulations Ron, It is my hope you get the performance you expect of it to enhance your enjoyment of a.p. Jerry :mrgreen: :mrgreen: One question how many car batteries do you need to run that rig??? :lol: :lol: :lol: enjoy!! Jerry
Orion ED80T CF #9534 Carbon Fiber
Ioptron IEQ 45 Pro mount
Ioptron tripier
Ioptron eq 25 mount
Ioptron tripod
Celestron #93709 next image solar system imager
Unitron 3 inch equatorial mount W/ tracking motor and tripod
Restored ED 102 Vixen ss Doublet


"Ilagitami non carborundum" Uncle Nick '49
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Ronald Z
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Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 9:01 am

Re: The rumors were...

Unread post by Ronald Z »

Congrats Ron B !!!!

So, does this mean we will be expecting 2 weeks of clouds? :lol:

Hey, great scope purchase, and yes, you should get a RC in the future!!!!

P.S. Don't tell your wife I said that. :lol: :)

clear skies!
Ron Z
ES AR152mm (988mm f6.5) achromatic doublet
TV 85mm (600mm f7) APO doublet
TV 60mm (360mm f6) APO doublet
TV Starbeam
TV 5X & 2.5X Powermates
TV DeLite set
Canon 60Da
Rokinon 10mm f2.8, 14mm f2.8
24mm f1.4, 50mm f1.4, 135mm f2.0
Samyang 85mm f1.4
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rjbokleman
Posts: 517
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2014 11:09 pm

Re: The rumors were...

Unread post by rjbokleman »

Indeed. We've already endured the "8 days of rain" thanks to the 8 inch purchase. I guess we just need to be thankful it wasn't 8 inches of rain!
Ron B.
T5i/700D, ASI1600MM-C, ASI120MM, ASI174MM, XAGYL 7x36mm FW
Astronomik Deep-Sky(RGB), CLS, Ha, OIII, SII
SV60EDS 60mm f/5.5 APO
AT65EDQ 65mm f/6.5 ED Quadruplet
SW ProED 100mm f/9.0 Doublet APO
C8 EdgeHD, AT130EDT
AVX, iEQ45 Pro

http://www.astrobin.com/users/rjbokleman/
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Pete
Astro Day Coordinator
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Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 9:03 pm

Re: The rumors were...

Unread post by Pete »

Are you using AO yet?

Pete
Pete P.
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rjbokleman
Posts: 517
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2014 11:09 pm

Re: The rumors were...

Unread post by rjbokleman »

Pete wrote:Are you using AO yet?

Pete
Pete,

No, not yet, sir. That would be a step up of course, but...I need to learn how to guide properly with an OAG first.

I assume you mean something like the Starlight Xpress Systems?

http://www.highpointscientific.com/star ... -sxv-aoqsi
http://www.highpointscientific.com/star ... -sxv-ao-lf

Although, this wouldn't be bad either: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronom ... -09092014/ :lol:
Ron B.
T5i/700D, ASI1600MM-C, ASI120MM, ASI174MM, XAGYL 7x36mm FW
Astronomik Deep-Sky(RGB), CLS, Ha, OIII, SII
SV60EDS 60mm f/5.5 APO
AT65EDQ 65mm f/6.5 ED Quadruplet
SW ProED 100mm f/9.0 Doublet APO
C8 EdgeHD, AT130EDT
AVX, iEQ45 Pro

http://www.astrobin.com/users/rjbokleman/
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Pete
Astro Day Coordinator
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Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 9:03 pm

Re: The rumors were...

Unread post by Pete »

My impression is that for very sharpest tracking at longer focal lengths only an AO or a $15K Paramount will do. It cleaned up my long focal length problems. Andy's using one. And I think that the AstroGeek is as well.

My system is a dual chip SBIG rig with an SBIG AO-8 that cost just $600. But for your kind of work you really want the AO in front of the filters.

Pete
Pete P.
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rjbokleman
Posts: 517
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2014 11:09 pm

Re: The rumors were...

Unread post by rjbokleman »

Pete,

Absolutely agree that an AO would result in the "very sharpest" image possible as its intended to compensate for the atmosphere. As you get to longer and longer focal lengths this certainly becomes a real issue in AP.

I'm hoping to get somewhat decent images out of what I've got put together so far. @1422mm, things shouldn't be too bad. Not sure about 2032mm just yet, but we'll see soon I hope.

If I don't get acceptable results and an AO would appear to resolve the resulting 'blur'...then that will get added to the already long 'Wish List' for purchase. :P
Ron B.
T5i/700D, ASI1600MM-C, ASI120MM, ASI174MM, XAGYL 7x36mm FW
Astronomik Deep-Sky(RGB), CLS, Ha, OIII, SII
SV60EDS 60mm f/5.5 APO
AT65EDQ 65mm f/6.5 ED Quadruplet
SW ProED 100mm f/9.0 Doublet APO
C8 EdgeHD, AT130EDT
AVX, iEQ45 Pro

http://www.astrobin.com/users/rjbokleman/
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AndyG
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Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2011 10:18 pm

Re: The rumors were...

Unread post by AndyG »

rjbokleman wrote:its intended to compensate for the atmosphere.
A standard amateur tip-tilt AO really can't do much to correct atmospheric seeing effects. On the other hand, it can make a big difference in guiding by rapidly correcting any tracking errors in the mount with negligible backlash and inertia.

Here's an excellent presentation on Astronomical seeing that covers what a tip-tilt AO can do.
Andy
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