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Lawrence Parchman

Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253)

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Posts Made By: John A. Maher

January 9, 2006 05:38 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Any one using the Kendrick Digi-Fire

Posted By John A. Maher
The concept seems great. I have way to many wires with the CCD and consolidating would be good.

Is it any good. smile

The top of the line model seems pricey but the 7 looks like a good deal. I have never used a Kendrick product before either.

July 19, 2006 02:05 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Identifying Objects

Posted By John A. Maher
My first thought was that a satellite was performing a guest appearance in my M11 images. A second look has perked my interest.

Can anyone tell me how I can check this and determine what it was by comparing it to know data. The insert shows that something was either next to it or came off of it. Location was 39.28N, 74.30W, 2006-07-15T03:20:59 (This time was from the fits header which should have read the laptop time and I believe converted it) I thought it was between 11 and 12 EST on the 14th.

Thank you smile

February 11, 2007 03:59 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M42 test images

Posted By John A. Maher
Well it seems my camera had an issue with the shutter which has now been resolved. Now my next issue is with the trap in M42. These test images were 10 minutes with an E160 and an Astronomik 14nm HA. I have since lowered the exposure time to 5 minutes. No Subtractions but a stretch or three in CS. wink

I haven't processed the 3 minute subs yet but they don't look much better. Suggestions welcome.

February 25, 2007 09:32 PM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

What happened to the Paypal option for support

Posted By John A. Maher
I go there and there is no option for payment with Paypal sad

Am I missing something 8O

Well besides a few crain bells

March 10, 2007 05:11 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Horsing around

Posted By John A. Maher
I am playing with the spacing between my focal reducer and CCD. I was supposed to be collecting those photons to finish my M42 but was having some guider issues grin

No darks or subtractions but some photoshop fun.

5 minutes HA E160 Light Polluted NJ, we got it all wink


March 10, 2007 05:41 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M51

Posted By John A. Maher
4 5 minute images

Butercup's outside cooking up some more

No subtractions and no alignment ???

It will be interesting to see if my alignmentint in Maxim softens it up. To date it is my best M51

March 12, 2007 05:49 PM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

Supporters

Posted By John A. Maher
Hi Herb 8)

I was wondering if there would be some way of flagging a response to an ad. If an Amarter's level of support could be in the subject line of an ad response the seller might (hopefully) give that purchaser the opportunity over a non supporter on a hot item.

I have myself tried to do this when I post something that gets a lot of responses but up to now I have to check each potential buyer out and it is a pain in the ars.

I know as a buyer we are always looking for that extra edge on those super deals and I know you are always looking for supporters.

John smile

March 15, 2007 03:40 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Horsing Around II

Posted By John A. Maher
I am still tricking my Rig and have found that by increasing the steps a Robo Focuser travels to 10,000 per inch it made a very big difference in my images.

In the beginning I wondered if I was actually wasting my time on this mod and thought I would only discover that I was "seeing" limited with regards to focus.

:S Live and Learn

I am posting this so someone esle doesn't take 3 three years to find this out.

April 13, 2007 01:27 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Another M51

Posted By John A. Maher
I think; like many I really love this galaxy. wink

We have had some interesting weather here in the North Eastern US which was not conducive to imaging but was good for preparing for the up coming summer season. I took advantage of the bad weather and removed my corrector and cleaned what ever it was fogging one of the lenses, well about 90% of it anyways (The procedure was a little unnerving). I also converted a computer CCD water cooling system to my portable CCD set up and now run the St2000 at -25 with only 40% Thermoelectric cooling. Battery drain is minimal but I know I lost a half hour.

This is my first image with the upgrades so I redid M51 to compare it with my last M51.

Comments and especially constructive criticism are most welcome smile

April 14, 2007 06:28 PM Forum: Takahashi

Slight rattle in an FC76

Posted By John A. Maher
I recently acquired a new to me older FC76 which although is 16 years old looks to be in near mint condition.

You can however hear the lens shift very slightly if you shake the tube and I was wondering this is something of concern or not. I have owned 3 other Tak refractors and do not recall any of them every having a lens assembly produce any noise what so ever. They were all newer FS series scopes and don't think any of them could be collimated and was wondering if perhaps that was the difference.

Star test is excellent although I was surprised at the amount of color.

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