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Splitting Regulus

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 4:32 pm
by jrkirkham
This seems more like an observation report than astrophotography so I'll place it here.

I spent last night in the observatory, mostly sleeping. The sky was cloudy and the moon was nearly full. Sill I hadn't been out for a couple of weeks and wanted to try out some new ideas. I focused first on the moon, then moved over to Regulus and tried out my new bahtinov mask. I had never used one before. It worked great. I also cut an X in a Pringles can lid and slipped it over my focusing knob to create a fine tuning focuser for my SCT. I didn't tally think it would work, but it did. I was impressed. Then I used about 175x on Regulus to split Regulus A, B & C. This was my first time paying much attention to double stars. I think I may take some time and pay more attention to them in the future. Then I slapped the DSLR on to grab a quick snapshot before turning the telescope back to the moon. The clouds were fast moving and thick enough that the moon's focus was soft and Regulus could not be seen most of the time. That didn't stop me from trying for a few lunar snapshots. If I like any of them I'll post them. Then I went to bed. I was finished by 10:30.

Here is y snapshot of Regulus. It is a single frame with ISO1600 and a 15 sec. exposure.

Re: Splitting Regulus

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 5:19 pm
by prowler75
Nice work John! Splitting doubles can be a pretty fun activity, especially when sky conditions are not conducive for going after faint DSOs.

Re: Splitting Regulus

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:05 pm
by Makuser
Hi Rob. A fine work on splitting Regulus A,B, and C. And, as Craig said above, splitting doubles is still quite possible even in less than perfect skies. Thanks for sharing this capture with us Rob, and I really enjoyed your excellent image.

Re: Splitting Regulus

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 10:21 am
by Juno16
Sounds like fun John! Even the sleeping!

One of the reasons that
I got into the hobby was double stars. Kind of got away from it with AP, but just ordered a new scope and hope to get back into observing again soon.

Thanks for the fun report!

Re: Splitting Regulus

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 7:21 pm
by Lady Fraktor
Congratulations on the observation Rob.
A nice image as well.

Re: Splitting Regulus

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 7:55 pm
by helicon
Nice observations and image Rob. Plus, you got in some ZZZZ's in the observatory!

Re: Splitting Regulus

Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 4:03 pm
by mikemarotta
jrkirkham wrote: Sat Mar 27, 2021 4:32 pm. This seems more like an observation report than astrophotography so I'll place it here.
Yes, and thanks. I am somewhat less than sanguine about astrophotography which I appreciate only as an artform, not science. (I did pay one of our local astro stalwarts a pretty penny for two of his mounted prints for my home office.) And in this case, I accept the snapshot as a valid record of your observation. So, thanks, again.
jrkirkham wrote: Sat Mar 27, 2021 4:32 pm. ... for my SCT. ... used about 175x on Regulus to split Regulus A, B & C. ...
Which of the two? The eight or the 11? And which ocular, for "about" 175x? I am chasing this one also, but with much less hope for my skies and instrument.

Re: Splitting Regulus

Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 11:42 pm
by jrkirkham
I have poor eyesight. I usually lose low power. If I remember correctly I think I used a 40mm eyepiece with a 2.5x Powermate to split them. Then I switched the eyepiece for the DSLR for the picture.

Re: Splitting Regulus

Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2021 1:58 pm
by helicon
Congrats Rob on winning the VROD award for the day (4-14-2021)!

Re: Splitting Regulus

Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2021 2:09 pm
by kt4hx
Congrats on wining today's VROD award Rob. Great job on splitting Regulus my friend.

Re: Splitting Regulus

Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2021 6:20 pm
by Gordon
Congratulations on the VROD Rob!

Well deserved!

Re: Splitting Regulus

Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2021 7:29 pm
by Makuser
Hi again Rob. My brother still lives in Mokena, IL., and he tells me how bad the mid western skies can be at this time. I just wanted to congratulate you on winning the well deserved TSS VROD Award today.