Come join the friendliest, most engaging and inclusive astronomy forum geared for beginners and advanced telescope users, astrophotography devotees, plus check out our "Astro" goods vendors.
Come join the friendliest, most engaging and inclusive astronomy forum geared for beginners and advanced telescope users, astrophotography devotees, plus check out our "Astro" goods vendors.
Clear skies? Check
Low light pollution? Check
All my gear? Check
What about winds? Why bother, it can't be that bad.
Famous last words
So West Virginia was under gale force winds for most of the state last night. Not wanting to miss my first chance in two years to get under darks skies, I still set up my gear. Even with just a Pentax 200mm f/4 and my 183, the winds limited me to 60s with a 1/3 drop rate. After winds dropped this to a 3/1 I gave up. Anyway, here's my submission for the November Challenge. I know the processing could be better, but I won't have access to my usual PC until after the first.
Pentax 200 f/4 at 5.6
183 OSC at 3000 gain, offset 12
Subs 60s x 71
20 darks/flats
SharpCap DSS GIMP
Russ
A.K.A "Backyard Observatory" on Facebook and Youtube
Meade SN8 w/ DIY coma corrector, Astro Modded Rubinar 1000/10 @f/5.2, 130/5 Newtonian, Pentax SMC 200/4, Canon SH 30/1.7
SkyWatcher EQ6-R Pro, Modified Celestron SLT
183 OSC, 224 OSC, Canon 1100D, Sony NEX-3
Nikon 7-12 zoom, a lot of DIY/salvage eyepieces
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), Orion 50mm Guide Scope, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, Orion SSAG, IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/