Recently I purchased an AT8IN to see how a fast Newtonian used with narrowband filters would work in my light polluted suburban backyard. The stock focuser was decent but I wanted to have automated focusing using my existing Feather Touch/Micro Touch system. I bought the required adapters from Starlight Instruments and late Friday afternoon I had my Feather Touch mounted on the OTA and ready to go for a clear but windy night. This first light image of M97 is 1 hour for each filter of SII, Ha, and OIII with 10 minute sub exposures. No flats were used and the small amount of vignetting seen in the corners appears to indicate that I have the new focuser well centered.
There are quite a few galaxies in the background, more than I expected for a 3 hour narrowband image. Compared to the M703 I’ve been imaging with for the past year this telescope is fast! It should be a good telescope for me to learn from over the next number of months.
Telescope: AT8IN with MPCC
Camera: QSI516wsg
Image scale: 2.32 as/px
Guide Telescope: Mini Borg 60mm
Guide Camera: Starfish
SII: 6 * 600s
Ha: 6 * 600s
OIII: 6 * 600s
-Eric
Attached Image:
