Astromart

August 24, 2009 12:53 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

The Lagoon Nebula

Thanks for the comments guys.

Charlie, the streaking happened mostly on the last several Ha, exposures - so I had to discard some. The OSC subs were fine - its just that the nebula details aren't well defined. I was hoping to use the Ha for some detail, but I only got a little from that. Stars are easily de-streaked, the nebula damage is unrepairable - it just ends up coming out a bit soft.

Greg, yep, the C8 is well columated and when using the 6.3 corrector reducer at optimal distance, things are not too bad. Of course I would rather have an APO refractor or reflector astrogragh at this objective size. grin

August 30, 2009 05:24 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Field power?

Posted By Jim Thommes

Robert,
I use about 140 Amphours worth of battery. I am powering 2 mounts two cameras (one is a DSLR so not much power there)and two laptops. What I have done is to use 3ea 35 AH batteries and 2ea 17AH. I keep my G11 mount on a separate 17 AH. I use an inverter and a DC/DC converter (from Lenovo). As Floyd says, the DC/DC converter is more efficient, but mine does not isolate input/output.

I look for as much isolation as possible between mount, laptop and camera to minimize noise and ground loops. So I connect the size battery applicable to the load and interconnect components by only one ground (when opto isolators are not involved).

August 30, 2009 05:28 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Supernova 2009ga NGC 7678 Arp 28

Posted By Jim Thommes

Nice one Chris. You will have to admit, it is pretty exciting to see something you don't expect. I bet your pulse was racing a bit as you were searching the internet to see if it had already been discovered.

September 1, 2009 03:04 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

More Cygnus Stuff - LBN 251

Posted By Jim Thommes

Rod, Floyd,
Thanks for the comments. Rod, some of the Astro pics taken nowadays make for some neat desktop wallpaper. I am glad you chose to use one of mine.

September 6, 2009 08:53 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky