Something old, something new..
Is it SHINY time yet?
Its been awhile since I've done any deep-sky SHINY. The observatory still needs to be re-built and I need a better imaging system. However, I may have solved problem number 2. Over the weekend, I sent in an offer for a 'new' (actually 1-year old) medium sized German Equatorial Mount posted on Astromart. If I get it, the plan is to buy/mount an 8-inch f/4 astrograph on it (plus a guidescope).
This will have several major advantages over my present imaging rig I use with the Canon XS:
1) More than twice the aperture (8-inches vs. 80mm) and a much faster optical system (f/4 vs. f/7.4).
2) Long exposure imaging - the CGEM easily works with my auto-guider (the current 12-inch LX200 does NOT).
OK, cool - so where are the SHINY?
An ode to Canada's Closing Ceremonies
Mounties and Mooses and Maple Leaves - Oh MY!
Not quite - but here's a flying Monkey Head Nebula!
OK, that was a stretch. I still fear the Evil Flying Monkeys though..
Rumor has it that in 2011 the movie Thor will be released. I'm already stoked, as Thor has long been one of my all-time favorite comic book heroes. So in honor of the Greatest hero of Asgard, a fantastic nebula image.
NGC 2359 - Thor's Helmet
Imaged by Adam Block and Peter and Suzie Erickson as part of the Kitt Peak imaging outreach program. They used a 20-inch scope equipped with a large format CCD camera (ST10XE) and a color filter wheel.
If only I had access to equipment of that caliber. Another reason to win the Mega-ball Lottery.
:-)
Its been awhile since I've done any deep-sky SHINY. The observatory still needs to be re-built and I need a better imaging system. However, I may have solved problem number 2. Over the weekend, I sent in an offer for a 'new' (actually 1-year old) medium sized German Equatorial Mount posted on Astromart. If I get it, the plan is to buy/mount an 8-inch f/4 astrograph on it (plus a guidescope).
This will have several major advantages over my present imaging rig I use with the Canon XS:
1) More than twice the aperture (8-inches vs. 80mm) and a much faster optical system (f/4 vs. f/7.4).
2) Long exposure imaging - the CGEM easily works with my auto-guider (the current 12-inch LX200 does NOT).
OK, cool - so where are the SHINY?
An ode to Canada's Closing Ceremonies
Mounties and Mooses and Maple Leaves - Oh MY!
Not quite - but here's a flying Monkey Head Nebula!
OK, that was a stretch. I still fear the Evil Flying Monkeys though..
Rumor has it that in 2011 the movie Thor will be released. I'm already stoked, as Thor has long been one of my all-time favorite comic book heroes. So in honor of the Greatest hero of Asgard, a fantastic nebula image.
NGC 2359 - Thor's Helmet
Imaged by Adam Block and Peter and Suzie Erickson as part of the Kitt Peak imaging outreach program. They used a 20-inch scope equipped with a large format CCD camera (ST10XE) and a color filter wheel.
If only I had access to equipment of that caliber. Another reason to win the Mega-ball Lottery.
:-)