new configuration for DIY 8" astrograph

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BABOafrica Kenya
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new configuration for DIY 8" astrograph

#1

Post by BABOafrica »


The pictures tell the story. Basically I decided to get rid of the secondary mirror and stick the QHY163m camera at prime focus.

The focusing is manual, using a helical focuser. I made it from some spare camera parts with some modifications on a lathe.

You will note that I include pictures of using a laser & barlow combination to do the collimation. Works very well and is easy to do, especially with no secondary to worry about.

Not sure if this is going to work. But here is what it looks like.

BABO 8in Astrograph 001.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 002.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 003.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 004.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 005.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 006.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 007.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 008.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 009.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 010.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 011.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 012.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 013.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 014.jpg
BABO 8in Astrograph 015.jpg

BABO
"In lumine tuo videbimus lumen."

Scopes: Stellarvue SV80 Raptor Carbon Fiber ED Doublet / Celestron SCT C8
Williams Optics 66mm APO / DIY 8" f/4 Newtonian astrograph / Nikon 180mm f/2.8
Mounts: Orion Atlas EQ-G / Celestron AVX / DIY mini-equatorial
Cameras: QHY163m / Fujifilm X-A1 (modded) / Fuji X-A2 (not modded) / Orion StarShoot Auto Guider
Filters: ZWO 7nm NB set / ZWO LRGB set / ZWO Dual Band / Astronomics UHC
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Peppy Canada
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Re: new configuration for DIY 8" astrograph

#2

Post by Peppy »


Very interesting .
Scopes, SW102/AZ, SW ED80, WO Z61, VRC 6, LX200 Classic 8, ZWO 60MM guide scope, ZWO mini guide scope.Mount,Skywatcher EQ6R-PRO, Ioptron zeq25.
Cams, Player One Uranus C pro, Cannon, T3 self mod, T2i self mod F/S, ZWO 120 mc.
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sdbodin United States of America
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Re: new configuration for DIY 8" astrograph

#3

Post by sdbodin »


Should work, but the primary mirror will probably show a lot of coma, maybe use a smaller chip camera?

BTW, I like your mount's latitude setting, almost an alt/az if aimed east/west.

Steve
Scopes; Meade 16 LX200, AT80LE, plus bunch just sitting around gathering dust
Cameras; Atik 460ex mono, Zwo ASI1600MC-cool, QHY5L-II color and mono
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SkyHiker United States of America
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Re: new configuration for DIY 8" astrograph

#4

Post by SkyHiker »


Is a decent piece of wood or board that hard to come by? If not, it should not be too hard to build a secondary holder. Or did you do it it because you don't have a secondary mirror? Messing with wires and filters in full view of the primary will be problematic.
... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
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BABOafrica Kenya
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Re: new configuration for DIY 8" astrograph

#5

Post by BABOafrica »


SkyHiker wrote: Sun Mar 20, 2022 6:15 pm Is a decent piece of wood or board that hard to come by? If not, it should not be too hard to build a secondary holder. Or did you do it it because you don't have a secondary mirror? Messing with wires and filters in full view of the primary will be problematic.
Thanks for your comments, Henk!

I have a 70mm secondary. But it was a cheapie I got on ebay for $30. I made my own spider and holder. Not hard, as you imply.

I did an image of M42 with the old configuration (i.e., using the secondary mirror). That was taken with my Fuji X-A1 (modded).

You can see that image here:

viewtopic.php?f=66&t=23337

Mainly, I just wanted to experiment and see what would it would like to use this new configuration.

The wires are not a problem because they piggyback on the spider vanes.

The filters are not a problem either. I have set up my QHY163m with an internal filter holder (to save on the expense of buying a filter wheel).

It means I have to remove the camera to change filters. But that's true no matter what scope I'm using. So I did not see that as a drawback.

My next post shows a test from last night. It shows the result of a B-mask test and an image of M44.

All in all I was pretty pleased with the result.

Joe BABO
"In lumine tuo videbimus lumen."

Scopes: Stellarvue SV80 Raptor Carbon Fiber ED Doublet / Celestron SCT C8
Williams Optics 66mm APO / DIY 8" f/4 Newtonian astrograph / Nikon 180mm f/2.8
Mounts: Orion Atlas EQ-G / Celestron AVX / DIY mini-equatorial
Cameras: QHY163m / Fujifilm X-A1 (modded) / Fuji X-A2 (not modded) / Orion StarShoot Auto Guider
Filters: ZWO 7nm NB set / ZWO LRGB set / ZWO Dual Band / Astronomics UHC
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Re: new configuration for DIY 8" astrograph

#6

Post by BABOafrica »


Here's the image I got of M44 with the new configuration (plus a capture of an image of a star using a B-mask).

M44 is B&W since I only used the L filter.

BABO 8in Astrograph using a QHY163m (208-83-25) on EQ-G mount

Processing with DSS / StarTools v1.4 / GIMP

48 x 4s

M44 20MAR22 48x4s Q208-83-25 B8 sec.jpg

b-mask capture.jpg

Joe BABO
"In lumine tuo videbimus lumen."

Scopes: Stellarvue SV80 Raptor Carbon Fiber ED Doublet / Celestron SCT C8
Williams Optics 66mm APO / DIY 8" f/4 Newtonian astrograph / Nikon 180mm f/2.8
Mounts: Orion Atlas EQ-G / Celestron AVX / DIY mini-equatorial
Cameras: QHY163m / Fujifilm X-A1 (modded) / Fuji X-A2 (not modded) / Orion StarShoot Auto Guider
Filters: ZWO 7nm NB set / ZWO LRGB set / ZWO Dual Band / Astronomics UHC
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