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Douglas Rollain

M20 Trifid Nebula in LRGBHa

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Posts Made By: Flint Thomas

August 19, 2003 04:48 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mars & Atmospheric Dispersion

Posted By Flint Thomas
I've been imaging Mars with both C8 and C11 SCTs and a Philips TouCam Pro webcam. From my location Mars is never more that 32 degrees above the southern horizon. Consequntly, my images show significant atmospheric dispersion effects (red halo near the top and blue at the bottom). The images are very nice otherwise with good surface detail and color. Has anybody encountered this and thought of a fix in the processing of the images? Thanks.

September 10, 2003 01:25 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

New Orion APO

Posted By Flint Thomas
There was a thread a while back regarding the new Orion 80mm APO. Most of the posts were speculative since few had actually been able to try the scope. There is now a waiting list at Orion so there must be several out there that have bought and had a chance to use the scope. What's your opinion? Is this as great a deal as it sounds? The very few posts I've seen from users have been positive but I'd like to hear more.
Thanks.

November 4, 2003 08:17 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Mounting the Orion 80 ED

Posted By Flint Thomas
I recently received my Orion 80 ED refractor and am debating on which way to go for a mounting. For wide field sweeping I like the simplicity of an altazimuth mount and am considering the Unistar Light by Universal Astronomics. For high power planetary views a light weight but sturdy German equatorial would be nice. This fantastic scope can do both. Portability is very important to me. I would appreciate any input you may have regarding possible mounts.

November 29, 2003 04:02 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Celestron CI 1700 Mount

Posted By Flint Thomas
I have a CI 1700 mount that I use with my C11 SCT. I've recently acquired an Orion 80 ED (with turbe rings) that I'd like to use with this mount(admittedly a bit of overkill). Does anybody know if Losmandy or other brand of dovetail plates are compatible with this mount? Thnaks for any advice that can be offered.

Flint Thomas

March 12, 2004 05:17 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Re: good webcam planet under poor seeing condition

Posted By Flint Thomas
I have found that when stars twinkle alot (usually after the passage of a cold front) and the air is crisp, transparent and dry I can usually expect poor planetary seeing. In contrast, hazy stagnant air usually gives me my best planetary views. The webcam will give you a fighting chance in any condition since you can select those frames that occur when the atmosphere happens to be steady. However, in reviewing my planetary web cam images, the best images are still associated with nights of the best seeing. Bottom line is if it's clear give it a shot. A mediocre image is better than no image at all!

September 6, 2005 04:01 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Deep Sky CCD Camera

Posted By Flint Thomas
I recently checked out the Atik 16HR CCD camera on the Atik web site. It uses a Sony ICX285AL chip and looks like it would be an excellent deep sky camera. Has anybody out there used one of these? Are they available in the U.S.? Thanks for any info that can be provided.

clear skies,

Flint Thomsa

January 22, 2004 02:09 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Who Made the CI-700 Mount for Celestron?

Posted By Flint Thomas
Rob: The CI-1700 is my mount of choice for long exposure CCD imaging. It is a superb mount, very stable wity very low periodic error. I routinely use my for 20 minute exposures with no problem. In my opinion it's every bit as good (and in some respects better) as the Losmandy G-11 and I've used both.

regards,

Flint Thomas

September 26, 2004 08:39 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

CI-700 For Astrophotography - What Can I Expect?

Posted By Flint Thomas
Steve:

I think you will be very pleased with the CI-1700 for astro-imaging. With mine, after only rough polar alignment, with my autoguider, 20 minute sub-exposures are routine with my C-11 operating at f 6.3. Bottom line, is that I have been very happy with this mount. Good luck.

Flint Thomas

February 14, 2005 12:41 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M100

Posted By Flint Thomas
Jose:

That's a very impressive image. Congrats! I would say that this is also testimony to the outstanding tracking capability of the NextStar 11. Is this typical for this scope?

clear skies

Flint Thomas

March 11, 2005 05:52 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Orion nebula

Posted By Flint Thomas
I love the unusual image scale. Very nice work. Gotta love big chips and small pixels.

Clear skies,

Flint Thomas

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