Posts Made By: Rob Mackie

Image acquired using the Baader 7nm HA filter in STL 11000 camera on an AP 130 @ F/4.5.
Total exposure time was 180 minutes via twelve 15 minute sub exposures.
Seeing was good, with FWHM = 1.8. http://www.pbase.com/steelnavy/image/84976062/large

Full size: http://www.pbase.com/steelnavy/image/84976062/original

Rob Mackie

Here's another image from a newly acquired STL 11000. The target was so low my ota was almost
parallel to the ground. Complicating matters, I was aiming into the San Francisco light dome.

Image is at
http://www.pbase.com/steelnavy/image/84821149

Full size: http://www.pbase.com/steelnavy/image/84821149/original

Image Details:
SBIG STL 11000 ccd camera, AP 130 @ f/4.5, guided by STV
135 minutes total using 15 minute subs through 7nm Baader
hydrogen alpha filter under full moon, ccd temp:-22C

Rob Mackie

I recently took delivery of the new FSQ 106 ED. I'm in the process of sorting it out, so here are a few thoughts.

1. For visual use the QED comes to focus with a normal 2" diagonal (an AP Maxbright in my case). No special diagonals or adapters are needed, unlike earlier FSQ's. I'm primarily an imager, but it's nice to know the ota can be used visually. To use the ota visually, don't attach the black "prime focus" adapter (it's the large diameter black attachment in front of camera). Just affix the 2" visual back. All eyepieces, from a 31 Nagler down to 3-6 Nagler zoom and everything in between including Panoptics, Tak LE's et al came to focus in the QED.

2. The QED comes with the aforementioned prime focus adapter and a 2" visual back.

3. The STL 11000 pictured will not come to focus with just the prime focus adapter. I had to attach the 2" visual back to the prime focus adapter to focus the SBIG STL 11000. Attaching such a heavy camera as the STL to a compression ring visual adapter is not optimal. It's better to use the Feldstein #6 adapter, but I lack the proper extension tube replacement for the 2" visual back.

4. The Tak microfocuser is 7:1, not 10:1 like the Feathertouch. Nevertheless, it is very smooth with no rough spots or backlash. It's much nicer than the add-on microfocusers Tak sells, and I don't miss the Feathertouch.

5. The QED uses a dedicated clam shell. Clam shells used on older Q's are of smaller diameter and will not work. Note also the new clam is offset forward due to shorter tube and back heavy QED ota. The offset adapter comes with the new clam shell.

6. I obtained first images with the QED last night using the STL 11000. There was vignetting at corners of image. I didn't use flats, which may eliminate vignetting. Stars were tight and round to edge of field. I'm not sure what's causing the vignetting. perhaps using the 2" visual back to affix camera to ota. Ideas?

Rob Mackie

P.S. There are more photos of the FSQ 106ed at http://www.pbase.com/steelnavy/fsqed

Here is the Heart Nebula IC 1805 in Cas:

Details:
SBIG STL 11000 ccd, Tak FSQ 106 ED refractor, SBIG STV guiding
Luminance...145 min in 15 minute subs through Baader 7nm HA filter, RGB...48 min each RGB in 6min subs binned 2x2. Red channel is combination of HA 145min and red 48 min. Full size:
http://www.pbase.com/steelnavy/image/86829931/original

Rob Mackie

This is the Heart Nebula (IC 1805)in Cas.

Image details:
SBIG STL 11000 ccd, Tak FSQ 106 ED refractor, SBIG STV guiding
Luminance...145 min in 15 minute subs through Baader 7nm HA filter, RGB...48 min each RGB in 6min subs binned 2x2.
Red channel is combination of HA 145min and red 48 min

Rob Mackie

This, too, is my last 2007 image. Details as follows:

STL 11000, STV guider, Takahashi FSQ 106ED @ F/5, Tak EM 200 Temma 2.
Ten 15-min exposures through 7nm Baader Hydrogen Alpha filter, ccd temp -34C, FWHM 1.5, clear mid 40's.

Color portion: 60 min blue, 48 min red, 42 min green in 6 minute subs, ccd temp -35c

Image is about 25% of original size.

Rob Mackie

I played with the Rosette last night, stretching more aggressively and going heavier on green. Here's a comparison and I invite your comments. I'm not sure if I like it any better than the first one.

Rob Mackie

The Tadpole Nebula is left upper, Flaming Star Nebula right lower, both located in Auriga. No color data yet.

Image details: SBIG STL 11000 & STV Guider, Takahashi FSQ 106ED APO, Tak EM 200 Temma 2 GEM
Ten 15-minute images (150 minutes total) through 7nm Baader hydrogen alpha filter.
CCD temp -34C. Good seeing FWHM = 1.7 Location: El Cerrito, CA in SF Bay Area.

Rob Mackie

Rummaging through one of my "in progress" images last night, I stumbled upon this forgotten effort. It consists of ten 15-minute subs through a Baader 7nm HA filter via STL 11000 ccd, STV guider and Tak FSQ 106ED atop a Tak EM200 Temma 2.

I was attempting to cram as many interesting objects as possible into one FOV. The central and most familiar objects are the Bubble Nebula NGC 7635 and M52. I missed my chance to get color data, which will have to wait until next year unless I cut down a large tree. Having no desire to end my marriage, that isn't going to happen. I imaged from my El Cerrito, CA (SF Bay Area) yard, street lights blazing nearby and my dog periodically vibrating the wood deck from which I image.

There's nothing particularly noteworthy about this image, though it should make for an interesting study once I clean it up and add color.

Rob Mackie

I added color recently to an HA Horsehead I did over 1 year ago.

Details:Camera: SBIG STL 11000,Scope: Tak FSQ 106ED
5 hrs HA (20x15min), 40 min Green and blue (8 x 5min)

A full size version is at http://www.pbase.com/steelnavy/image/108542689/original

Color balance still isn't right, too much salmon. Anyway, have at it.

Rob Mackie