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Coathanger CR 399

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Posts Made By: Alec Hitchman

November 26, 2006 08:35 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M33

Posted By Alec Hitchman
Larry,

Very nice shot; do you plan on adding any H-a data?

Keith

November 29, 2006 03:39 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

The BUB

Posted By Alec Hitchman
Tyler,

Gorgeous wide field of this subject, with really nice stars and color!

Bravo!

Keith

January 2, 2007 09:00 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Ok lets see if u guys can help me out

Posted By Alec Hitchman
Rick,

I agreed with another poster who said that your 10 inch SCT going to be a challenge considering the focal length you will be shooting at.

I would suggest a shorter focal length; even if you grab a 0.33 reducer (like the Meade 0.33 SCT reducer) your focal length is going to be greater than 800mm, which is still somewhat challenging.

I would recommend something between 300 and 500 mm focal length.

Some people use that neat Orion 4.5 inch Newtonian...it comes in at about 450 mm f.l.

Also, if you are using the larger format DSLR's, you have to worry about vignetting, field flatness, etc.

I would suggest:

1) Low f.l. scope piggyback on your SCT (~$300):
William Optics Zenithstar 66mm f/5.8 (388 mm f.l.)
2) Set of mounting hardware for the scope (~$200) :
The Losmandy hardware is first rate.
3) Used 750x580 class cooled CCD b/w camera (~500) :
Starlight Express MX716 monochrome camera. The MX716 is not the biggest sensor, but it is nice and very sensitive, and easy to use.

That would probably be a good starting point. I would perhaps buy LRGB filters after doing some messing around with straight b/w first....

With the MX716, you could relegate it to a guider when you move on to bigger and better cameras.

Good luck!

Keith

January 7, 2007 02:48 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

And another

Posted By Alec Hitchman
David,

Nice pictures. I have the Orion ST120 (purchased for only $150 here on Astromart!), and I really like it.

Have you upgraded the focuser? I would love to use mine for narrowband imaging more often, as I like the short f-ratio and 600mm focal length, but the focuser makes imaging diffucult. I am looking at a two-speed Crayford style.

Any advice you could give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Keith

January 8, 2007 05:06 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Last night...

Posted By Alec Hitchman
Ivan,

Nice to see some great shots from the Starshoot/WO66SD combo!

Nice Work!

Glad you got some clear skies; I haven't been able to clock any time since October.......

Sigh!

January 8, 2007 05:07 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

NGC 2174 - HA RGB

Posted By Alec Hitchman
Jim,

That one that you don't see everyday, and you sure delivered a beautiful rendition!

Keith

January 9, 2007 03:03 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Saturn Nebula

Posted By Alec Hitchman
Paul, one of the better Starshoot images I've seen. Nice color and detail on this little guy.

Keith

June 5, 2007 01:23 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

NGC 6820/23 in Ha

Posted By Alec Hitchman
Dan,

This is actually one of my favorite targets for early-mid summer!

I must say, your effort leaves mine looking woefully inadequate!

Excellent job!

Keith

June 13, 2007 12:53 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M81 First Light Image

Posted By Alec Hitchman
Jeff,

Impressive first light image, very well done.

Thanks for sharing!

Keith

June 13, 2007 12:58 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

One Dumb Question

Posted By Alec Hitchman
Jess,

Besides MAximDL, a cheaper software package called Nebulosity can do this alignment/rotation/stacking.

Don't let it's cheap price fool you; it is very capable software.

Also, if you are talking about "coordinate-corrected"; software like MaximDL can keep track of the coordinates that you are imaging..to make mosaics, for example.

Some software can even do "plate solutions", where the software checks your image against a catalog, and determines your image scale, image coordinates, and field rotation.

Hope this helps,

Keith

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