Category Archives: Equipment

A Little Progress

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Had been struggling with the focuser slipping on the Equinox with the heavy ATIK 383 on it and decided I really wanted a stepper motor for the focuser so splashed the cash again and am now the proud owner of a motorised moonlight focuser.  This is a wonderfully engineered piece of equipment and worth every penny (quick tip – if you import it direct from the USA as I did then it costs less).  So finally there was a brief break in the bad weather and it allowed me to get some imaging done with the new kit.  the first target was Messier 35 and its close neighbour NGC 2158.  I started with a globular as that is where I started out back when I took my first images – allows me to ensure I am getting the hang of focusing.  Was impatient and decided to have a play with the data before I had taken any RGB darks or any flats/bias.

Image05_DBE_PS

Need to look into sorting the calibration frames next – but It’s a pain while I don’t have the observatory.  Think I need to pull my finger out and dig the foundations so that this all becomes much easier.

Big splurge

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Just pressed the button on a load of new toys.  Will post pictures when they arrive but essentially a whole new imaging setup.  Got frustrated with the heath robinson affair I had constructed and decided to spend a bit of dosh on a more robust solution.  The Atik 383L and Equinox 80 will make up the main part of the rig with a few supporting bits and bobs.

All ordered from First Light Optics who gave some excellent advice about getting the right bits and bobs.

This is of course all part of setting up the new observatory.  Next step is to sort out the foundations once the whether improves.

I apologise for all the inevitable cloud that is about to appear obviously.