#Lucky Imaging Equipment for Paper

76 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

cedar parcel
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Hey Guys,

I'm currently writing a Paper on lucky imaging for my Matura. In this paper I will be explaining how lucky imaging works and especially showcase its effect(s). For this I plan to shoot one or multiple photos of galaxies. I currently have a 6". f/5 Newtonian, 6", F/4 Newtonian and a 5", f/2 Newtonian, now I'd like to buy a slightly bigger telescope. (I was thinking about maybe an 8", f/5 Newtonian for example) The only limiting factor would be the mount, I have a AM3, so it'd have to fit onto that. What do you guys think I should get? (specific recommendations are very welcome)

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@analog jay I think you know the limits of the AM3 very well

forest geyser
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I wouldn't put a 8" on the am3

cedar parcel
forest geyser
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do you just want more fl or aperture?

cedar parcel
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Whatever gives me a better image (ideally both)

forest geyser
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an rc6 maybe? 1300mm more or less but at least it's not as bulky as a 8"

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Idk if the am3 could take a C8 with reducer

cedar parcel
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Would lucky imaging be possible with an rc6?

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I mean because of the high f/-ratio

forest geyser
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Ig lucky imaging would benefit from aperture and speed but the payload of the am3 is limiting in that regard

cedar parcel
forest geyser
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I'm not sure how large you can go with that mount, 8" f5 no for sure, f4 doesn't change much but it at least shorter. C8/RC8 are slow

cedar parcel
forest geyser
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all the carbon tubes I've seen are very expensive and like 1kg lighter

cedar parcel
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what about an 8sct? I think it is much lighter than the rc8

analog jay
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You’ll be really pushing it, wind will be the enemy. The OO UK AG8 at F3.8, and 6Kg tube weight might do it, but very expensive

cedar parcel
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@forest geyser is it possible to do deep sky lucky imaging with an rc6?

forest geyser
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I'm not sure how much the slower ratio will affect lucky imaging

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But there is a dude that loaded the umi light with an 8" f4 so maybe there's a chance with the am3

analog jay
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My experience says it will work from a mount perspective

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Images of M13 uncalibrated with this rig (images from Tak 76/294 & Samyang & 715C - the FS60 & 533 are just as good)

IMG_4532.jpg IMG_4533.png IMG_4534.png
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Try and shield from wind if you can

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Also to note this also works on my AM5, albeit with some sensitivity to wind gusts.

IMG_3467.jpg
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That’s 12inch F4 with a heavy focuser

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Word of caution though… try overloading at your own risk, long term data on the effects of over loading is not known

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Also make sure you enable Heavy load mode

cedar parcel
sturdy ibex
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@forest geyser yup - with the pe210 pier extension and some fiddling with PhD2 I managed to get guiding down to around 0.5" (and better). Rig weighed exactly 10kg

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@forest geyser

forest geyser
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That's pretty good

sturdy ibex
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@analog jay what imaging train are you using on the FS60? I have an FC60 that I use for visual, but would like to try for widefield imaging/spectroscopy. The Takahashi charts give me a migraine (!)

analog jay
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Various, here’s the current setup

IMG_4731.jpg
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The FS60 uses the cx1.7 to convert to a FS60Q, then added a Flattener. Cams I use are 533MM and 294MM have quick changes added. FW’s are 3nM and 7nM

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The FS60 has poor colour correction, but ok in NB

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You need to get the backfocus spot on, fractions of a millimetre out and it suffers

sturdy ibex
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@analog jay oops - typo! I actually have an FS60

analog jay
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Do you have a reducer or Flattener?

sturdy ibex
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@analog jay no, that's why I haven't been using it for imaging - ive been busy buying other astro gear and haven't been able to justify the expense. Does the cx1.7 converter help with colour correction?

analog jay
sturdy ibex
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@analog jay that would be 'yes' then! 🤣

analog jay
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Haha...though bang for buck, the flattener is the best value Takahashi product they produce!

sturdy ibex
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@analog jay yeah, I have a Takahashi TSA102, and the price of accessories is mildly terrifying

analog jay
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yes quite... its an expensive ride for sure

oblique sigil
analog jay
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On the 12” Guiding is ok, around 0.7. I bought three cheap digital scales put on under each tripod leg, balanced rig, then biased for 1kg offset. Try to mitigate wind effects.

oblique sigil
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Nice

cedar parcel
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@forest geyser now that I'm thinking about it, could the 220mm mini be better at lucky imaging than my 1600mm / 533mm pro? because it has a lower read noise and cooling shouldnt really matter while lucky imaging.

forest geyser
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Why not go for a 585? A little pricier but I've seen really good lucky imaging results with it

cedar parcel
forest geyser
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Ah gotcha

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Tbh I'm not sure

cedar parcel
forest geyser
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Not yet

cedar parcel
forest geyser
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I would say 533 just because it's more recent

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No amp glow and read noise low enough to not need darks is huge

cedar parcel
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what about the 220mm mini? it has better read out noise (almost half) and a better qe.

forest geyser
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I'd be worried about fov with the 220, what exactly would you try to shoot with it?

cedar parcel
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or galaxies

forest geyser
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reduced edge and 220

cedar parcel
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I think I'm just gonna have to test it, as I havent really found anyone that has tried it yet.

fickle hound
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What kind of paper are you writing?

cedar parcel
fickle hound
# cedar parcel Matura-Thesis

We have that too we’re im from, but I’m doing it about astrophotography as a whole and how people can contribute to science themself. For example searching for exoplanets

cedar parcel
fickle hound
cedar parcel
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Are you doing like an written paper or are you doing a practical work? Because I have to tell you that it can make you quite anxious if you have a close deadline and dont have any clear nights.

fickle hound
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About 50/50

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I support my theory with experiments