For complete specifications on the Olympus C2020Z click HERE.
Deep Sky Imaging:
Even though exposures are limited to 16 seconds, I am hopeful that the light gathering of a 20" scope and the precision of its alt-az tracking system will provide for some one-shot deep sky color imaging. (UPDATE: See Part 5 for 32 second imaging with C2000Z) I have tried deep sky imaging with the C2020Z on two nights and a summary of my initial results follow. All exposures made were for the maximum of 16 seconds. Trying to stay at low power means using eyepieces that will fit inside the diameter of camera adapters. Low power eyepieces that I am using are a Meade 32mm Plossel, Brandon 32mm, Silvertop 36mm and Meade MA 40mm. I use two camera adapters; the standard Meade Basic Camera Adapter and also one made from an Orion adjustable adapter as per the instructions on Greg Konkle's page for a Schmidt-Cassegrain. I can also use half of the modified Orion adapter mated with the Meade adapter for connection to my Starmaster's focuser; this unit is shown here:
One problem with this setup is that I cannot reach focus in the Starmaster unless a barlow is used. I need a little more in-travel and plan to obtain this by adjusting the mirror forward or dropping the truss assembly a little. I expect that the deep sky imaging will improve with increased light from not using a barlow. UPDATE: Barlow no longer needed to reach focus and use of f/5 focal reducer also possible - See: PART 2. Images taken so far with a 2X barlow follow:
M13 - Hurcules Globular Cluster:
M57 - Ring Nebula:
M15 Globular Cluster:
M27 - Dumbbell Nebula:
These are stacks of 4 images - 16 seconds each.
NGC 7662 - Blue Snowball Planetary Nebula (left) and two unknown planetaries:
The Starmaster Telescope with GOTO Skytracker has a guide rate that makes centering an object on the CCD chip possible. The Starmaster's drive system does a great job of tracking at high powers. For high power imaging of planets using a 3X Barlow, the planet is kept well centered on the CCD chip by using the Starmaster's hand control buttons while the C2020Z's remote is used in the other hand to trigger the shutter. For Jupiter I have been using as fast as 1/60 second exposures. For all images taken to date I have kept the digital camera in autofocus mode. Most of the deep sky images keep round star images during the 16 second exposures. When some star trailing occurs the image can be quickly deleted. I take a dark frame after each set of deep sky images and it subtracts well to reduce noise. The C2020Z is really fun to use on the scope; no computer is needed since all the controls are on the camera. The 64MB card stores over 100 color images and the color display on the camera gives you an instant result that can be deleted if need be. TIFF format is available but I have been using the JPG format. I have found that most astronomy processing software has trouble working with such large color images and I end up reducing their size. Too bad Olympus doesn't offer a cooled long exposure version of this camera. I also plan to try some imaging with the C2020Z on my 10" LX200 at f3.3.
Here are some Lunar Images:
NGC40 with the Collins I3:
For images taken with the C2020Z and a Collins I3 Image Intensifier Eyepiece Click Here
TO PART 2 - NON-BARLOW IMAGING AND USE OF F/5 FOCAL REDUCER
TO PART 3 - DEEP SKY IMAGING - LOW NOISE
TO PART 4 - DEEP SKY IMAGING - LONG EXPOSURES
TO PART 5 - DEEP SKY IMAGING - 32 SECOND EXPOSURES - C2000Z
TO PART 6 - DISASSEMBLY OF C2000Z
TO PART 7 - AIR COOLED C2000Z
TO PART 8 - AIR COOLED C2000Z LATEST IMAGES
TO MY DIGITAL CAMERA IMAGING HOME PAGE
TO MY QUICKCAM PAGE
TO MY MAIN ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY PAGE