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Posts Made By: Jeff Hapeman

February 15, 2003 03:17 AM Forum: Takahashi

Connecting a CCD to the TOA

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
For those who are looking to do this...here is what I have. I have not tested it yet, but the idea here is to get both a rigid attachment and enough extension to get to the correct metalback distance (not known, but I do know that the TOA has a lot of backfocus designed in).

The camera is an SBIG ST-10XE with the standard CFW-8a, with the faceplate replaced with a Steve Mandel "Muscle Plate" and there is an FLI DF-2 focuser, which attaches to a Feldstein adapter, which attaches to a CA35 which screws into the backplate which is connected to an FS-152 prime focus adapter and another adapter which I can't recall.

Anyway, as soon as it clears up around here I am going to test this all out and post some "first light" deep sky images.

Jeff

February 17, 2003 07:29 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

First Light with the Takahashi TOA-130F

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
I finally got some clear skies about a week and a half after getting my new Takahashi TOA-130F and rings. Since it is essentially full moon, I decided to stick with H-alpha so I could at least get an image worth keeping. This is taken with an SBIG ST-10XE and a Custom Scientific 3nm H-alpha filter. This a composite of nine twenty-minute exposures, for a total of three hours of data. Still a bit noisy, but considering the conditions, I am happy. The mount was an AP600E GTO. At about 35lbs with the rings, camera and dovetail plates, this is at the limit for this mount, but it did well.

This scope will be a lot of fun as it gets warmer outside.

Jeff

March 2, 2003 05:05 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

New Image: Virgo galaxy cluster

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
I just got my Takahashi FSQ-106 back from a repair, and had the chance to try it out. I decided to spend the last part of the night shooting this LRGB image, cut short by dawn. It's a 90:25:25:25 minute image. Processing was complex, but I really pushed the histogram hard in the large version of this file to show all of the faint little galaxies, and fiddled with the curves in PS to keep the detail in the cores of the brighter galaxies. This image is reduced 50%, the full-sized image is here:

http://www.e-hapeman.com/images/Gallery/FSQ106/Virgo/Virgo-LRGB.jpg

Enjoy, and turn down the lights!

Jeff

March 2, 2003 06:14 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

New Image: Widefield Trio in Leo

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
OK, this is the first shot from the night I got my FSQ back. It is a 45:15:15:15 minute LRGB with the ST-10XE. I wanted to go deeper, but a mount flip would have been required, so I moved on to the next target.

This is the 50% reduced version, you can see a full-sized version at:

http://www.e-hapeman.com/images/Gallery/FSQ106/LeoTrio/LeoTrio-LRGB.jpg

I was pretty surprised at how much detail was resolved in the galaxies with such small aperture, but the seeing was rather good that night.

Jeff Hapeman

March 15, 2003 06:33 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

First Light with 10" RCOS

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
For a variety of annoying reasons related to equipment failure, illness and work, I have had a 10" RC since last may and just tonight got to get it out for some first light images. This is a 20-minute L image taken under the 3/4 moon tonight; it is comprised of 4 5-minute subexposures with an SBIG ST-10XE. I was having difficulty guiding and I'm not sure why, although the polar alignment is suspect; what was really odd was that the AO-7 made it worse. I couldn't get an image longer than 5 minutes, and even then 7 of my 12 shots had to be tossed. The seeing was also typically terrible, with about 4" as the average. I hope to get a little better at this long focal length stuff and also get some color added here soon.

Jeff Hapeman

March 16, 2003 06:20 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

New Image: M82 LRGB

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
OK, I found out that my guiding problem last night was the ferrite bead resistors in the camera. Tonight the seeing was terrible--between 4-5" and then there was some high thin haze, but I was determined to test out my gear and also get some color, whether the moon was out or not.

This is a 120:30:30:20 minute LRGB cut short by clouds coming in. Taken with an SBIG ST-10XE w/ AO-7, Tak NJP mount, and a 10" RCOS. A challenge to process with the moon and haze and outdated flats, but I am fairly pleased. Now I need a good clear night with some good seeing.

This is a crop of the full frame reduced for astromart.

Jeff

April 1, 2003 03:10 AM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Downy Woodpecker

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
Nikon D100 400mm f/4.5

April 2, 2003 01:50 AM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

New Image: American Robin

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
OK, a common bird, but they have just come back to WI this week and gotten territorial, so spring is here! This is another shot with the Nikon D100 and 400mm lens at f/5.6. Colored slightly by sunset this evening.

Jeff

April 6, 2003 10:47 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

New Image: Yellow-shafted Flicker

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
I took a drive today looking for birds to photograph. This flicker accomodated me by sitting still for several minutes, digging for grubs. Nikon D100, 400mm f/5.6, 1/350s.

Jeff

April 6, 2003 10:49 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

New Image: Golden-crowned Kinglet

Posted By Jeff Hapeman
Another picture from today's imaging. This little guy was so tame, he nearly hopped over my toes. Imaging him was difficult, however, as he moved so fast and was always buried in the tall grass. This is one of the better shots I got. Nikon D100, 400mm f/5.6, 1/500s.

Jeff Hapeman

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