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Lion Nebula SH2-132 - RC71

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Posts Made By: Ralph Encarnacion

January 16, 2005 02:20 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Custom astrograph on a GOTO mount

Posted By Ralph Encarnacion
If you are even thinking of getting into astrophotography, put all your money on the best mount you can afford. It's already hard enough with a good mount. Why make it even harder on yourself by going with a cheaper mount. Although there are plenty of people taking pictures with cheap mounts, it's just easier with a better mount.
Ralph

January 28, 2005 02:11 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Celestron stars CPC Series, RIP nexstar

Posted By Ralph Encarnacion
It would have been nice if they would have put in a usb connector instead of or along with the serial connector. You can't hardly buy a laptop today that has a serial connector. Sure you can buy an adapter, but that just means more wires. A mirror lock would have been nice too. I know the mirror doesn't shift much on the Celestrons, but I would still like to have it. Looks like the Fastar option is gone on the 8" now too. They don't mention it in the ad. I would also like to see a full picture of that redesigned tripod. I do like the new bracket for the hand controller.
Ralph

March 9, 2005 03:36 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

ST4 stay...or should it go????

Posted By Ralph Encarnacion
I was using an ST-237 as an autoguider. It is an excellent autoguider. The problem is it takes a few minutes to boot up the computer and then it takes a while to do the calibration due to the long download times. I now use an ST-4. Since there is no laptop, the downloads are instant. So calibration goes pretty fast and it frees up my laptop for other stuff like DSLR focus or The Sky or for using by SBIG camera. By the time the laptop boots up, I already have the ST-4 calibrated and it's ready to go. Once I get my 10D focused with the laptop, I can have the ST-4 autoguiding and I can put up my laptop back inside the house early. That makes one less thing I have to drag back inside the house at 2:00 AM. The only way I would get rid of my ST-4, is if I get an STV.
Ralph

March 15, 2005 04:24 PM Forum: Coronado-Lunt-DayStar Solar Filters

Solarmax 60 Binocular with Kowa Highlander

Posted By Ralph Encarnacion
I see what you have in the front, but what did you use on the back of the scope. On my Maxscope, the Coronado diagonal is part of the filter. Did you have to put something in the back or did you have to get special 60mm filters?
Ralph

March 20, 2005 12:05 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Jupiter and Io

Posted By Ralph Encarnacion
Beautiful shot Russell, almost looks 3d.
Ralph

March 21, 2005 12:38 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

New Image - NGC 4631 The Whale Galaxy

Posted By Ralph Encarnacion
Sorry to hear about your dad. Glad to see you haven't lost your touch.
Ralph

April 8, 2005 02:55 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

First Light

Posted By Ralph Encarnacion
That is a pretty nice image there. It looks a lot better than the one I took with my 237 and AP-130. I have been waiting paintiently for some shots with this camera, but so far I have only seen one other one besides yours. Like you, I have been saving for a bigger camera. I may get the ST-402 to hold me over until I can afford the ST-10 that I always wanted. Please put up more pictures when you get a chance. Thanks.
Ralph

May 4, 2005 02:00 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

More STL tests M48

Posted By Ralph Encarnacion
That's an awesome shot Jose. Your going to do real good with that ne camera. My new camera is coming tomorrow. I bought an SXV-H9 Starlight-Xpress. I was going to save up and get an ST-10, but it was going to take me way too long to save up that kind of money, especially after just getting that new AP-130 F/6 last month. I couldn't swing getting the filters yet, so I will just be taking black and white shots for a while, but at least I don't have to use my ST-237A anymore.
Ralph

May 24, 2005 01:33 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Jupiter 05/23 Io and Europa and Oval BA

Posted By Ralph Encarnacion
Hello Christopher. You do a fantastic job on all your Jupiter pictures. I went to your web site and notice you have an e4xcellent setup. A AP-130 and AP-900 mount. I was wondering if you ever take any DSO photos with that excellent setup. No sense in letting that excellent mount and refractor go to waste. I like to see what that setup can do from that side of the world. I also own a AP-130 EDF and was curious to see what kind of photos you can come up with the same scope. Or maybe next time out you can use your AP-130 to shoot Jupiter. I shot Jupiter with my AP-130 a few days ago, it came out pretty good, but I don't have the seeing conditions you have. I also noticed that you are so close to the equator that you had to add an adaptor to your pier to polar align your AP-900. It almost looks like you can use it in alt/az mode.
Ralph

May 26, 2005 02:12 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Beginner Astrophotography Telescope

Posted By Ralph Encarnacion
Your best bet is to either find a used Ultima 8 like most guys are saying, or buy the Celestron Advanced Series SGT german Equatorial mount and a used C8 with the fastar option. Then later you can get the fastar lens and a used ST-237A CCD camera. In fastar mode, you can image at F1.95 and shoot unguided 30 second shots all night long without an autoguider. You will get some pretty good pictures with that setup and learn a lot about CCD imaging. Or you can get an Orion 80ED and a Digital Reble DSLR. That will hold you for a while until you can afford the high dollar stuff.
Ralph

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