Crude 'first light' image...

Well I went out tonight for a wee bit, despite the horrible conditions (wind/seeing, etc.) to see if I could get my new mount guiding correctly (had some very stupid software settings the other time i had it out; somehow I was using a 10 MILLIsecond maximum move--basically not guiding at all. still don't know how I pulled that off). Anyway, there's lots of things wrong; focus a wee bit soft, camera not exactly square to the focuser (I'm waiting on an extension tube to get here by the end of the week; right now I can't fully insert the camera into the focuser due to backfocus issues), polar alignment pretty poor (some rotation evident; I figured why bother doing a good drift considering the other factors), 15mph wind, etc., etc. No flats either (really could have used them too) Anyway, here's the image...I've sold my 11" sct and replaced it with an Astro-Physics Star 130ED (doublet) f/8 refractor on a g-11. ST-2000 binned 2x2; expsoures 4x10 minutes through IDAS LPS filter in bad light pollution (scope is not in my observatory yet). Like I said, just solely for testing autoguiding, not for 'show' . Gonna have a lot of fun with this scope I think...

Attached Image:

Very nice for a "CRUDE" first light Andy!
Please keep'em coming!





Clear skies!


Ivan

Actually, that's a very nice image. Despite all the obstacles, you wound up wtih a neat shot. Quite an achievement, all things considered.

Ron WOdaski

Thanks all; that's where I've been the last couple of weeks; getting all this stuff put together. The scope should be in my observatory early next week (I have the entire week off, perhaps the astronomy gods will permit me a good night or two to really crank out something sweet. I do miss the focal length of my 11", but I believe I will be happier with this setup. Now I just have to make a new target list...Any suggestions/requests?