Eckley, PA - May 25-29, 2008
Sky conditions were clear and seeing was poor. Temperatures ranged from 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Telescope used was an Astro Tech 127mm ED APO Triplet refractor using a Celestron f/6.3 focal reducer for Schmidt-Cassegrains. The Astro Tech 127 and ED80 refractor guide scope were mounted on an Orion Atlas EQ-G mount. The EQMOD ASCOM driver was used to drive the mount directly via an EQDIR interface module. Imaging was done from our local GHAAS club site at Eckley, PA. All images are Full Frame.
Equipment used:
NGC 7000 - North America Nebula - Full Frame:
NGC 7000 was low in the East and I imaged it before Moonrise. Temperature was 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 28 three-minute exposures at ISO 1600 were stacked using DeepSkyStacker. Astro-Tech 127mm APO Triplet Refractor with a Celestron f/6.3 Reducer/Corrector for Schmidt Cassegrains. This reducer isn't meant for a refractor and gives some mis-shapen stars in the corners, but it provided a wider field. Image is Full Frame:
35 two-minute exposures at ISO 1600 were median combined using DeepSkyStacker and reduced in size for display:
IC 5070 - Pelican Nebula - Full Frame:
49 three-minute exposures at ISO 1600 were median combined using DeepSkyStacker and reduced in size for display:
Virgo Galaxy Cluster - Markarian's Chain- Full Frame:
35 three-minute exposures at ISO 1600 were median combined using DeepSkyStacker and reduced in size for display:
M101 Spiral Galaxy - Full Frame:
30 three-minute exposures at ISO 1600 were median combined using DeepSkyStacker and reduced in size for display:
Lunar images using an Astro-Tech 127mm Triplet Refractor and the modified 450D can be seen HERE.
Information on the Astro-Tech 127mm Triplet Refractor can be seen HERE.