Image of the day

Captured by
Michael Scherman

Lagoon and Triffid Celestron C6 Hyperstar4

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

StarSplitter 5.9mm First Light

Started by Jud, 06/28/2006 03:29AM
Posted 06/28/2006 03:29AM Opening Post
This is only a novice first light on a SP 5.9mm EP. Telescope was a 12" F/5 HOC Dob. There was some thin high clouds and significant light domes. At the edge of red/orange on the light pollution scale. Seeing was maximum Pickering 5 and commonly less, however a reasonably steady image of Jupiter was possible.

On axis focus of the SP was sharp and maintained until about 80% out where sharpness began to deteriorate. Not objectionably but obvious. I was able to refocus "down" to regain sharpness at about 90-95% out to the edge. This direction of refocussing may say someting to those more knowledgeable about EPs. I would be interested in their comments. I did not observe any chromatic aberrations or distortions at the edge of the FOV. It was difficult to make any comparisons to other EPs. I used a barlowed 11mm Tele Vue Plossl (220X); the StarSplitter was about 255X; and an 8mm Hyperion barlowed to about 320X. As power increased a corresponding decrease in sharpness and contrast was observed which should be expected. No real other comparisons or conclusions therefore could be made by me. On a 3-4th mag star slight bloating began at about 90% out and gradually increased to the edge.

I Yam What I Yam!
Posted 06/28/2006 05:23AM #1
Hi Jud,
What you are describing is field curvature. This is not that uncommon. It is somewhat unusual for a short f/l EP though.
Sounds like the EP performed well on axis, so that is a good thing.
What did you think of the image overall? Have you ever tried an Ortho of that f/l or any other planetary EPs?

[SIZE="Large"][/SIZE][COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR] Floyd Blue grin
Amateur Imager
Posted 06/28/2006 12:14PM #2
That's similar to my experience with the Starsplitter on my fast scope - quite noticeable field curvature, but no other serious abberations. Very impressive for a realtively cheap eyepiece on my f/4 scope! On my f/8 scope the field curvature is not noticeable, presumably due to the greater depth of focus on slower scopes.