My Deepest Astrophoto So Far

i envy you, thats a great pic

Awesome Nighthound! The Takahashi stuff is 2nd to none IMO.

That is an amazing capture!

Thanks all.

jdizzle, I couldn't agree more. I've owned my share of scopes and none of them compared to the build and optical quality of a TAK. Now I need to upgrade my mount to a TAK EM-200 and I'll be set for life. I checked out your site, excellent site and work. I see you're in NC, ever been to Ocracoke Island?

NH

Awesome-congratulations and thanks for sharing the experience and lnowledge

Nighthound wrote in post #3834595
ninoe, I don't use a standard tripod. My telescope mount(on tripod) has motor drives that are controlled by a small computer called the Gemini system. After my alignment process the mount then is able to move at precisely the rate that the Earth is rotating which allows me to image any object that is moving from East to West across the night sky. The alignent process is crucial to accuraste tracking and usually takes between 45 minutes and 90 minutes depending on how high my focal length is that night.

NH

thanks for the reply NH, really appreciate it, hope there's a DIY thing to do this. thanks again

Nighthound wrote in post #3771791
Here are some shots of my latest set up. I use these 2 scopes individually as well. Check out Oceanside Photo and Telescope(OPT) online. Great place to purchase and they have a very knowledeable staff.

Scopes:
Vixen R200SS Newtonian
Takahashi Sky 90 II APO Refractor

Mount:
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini (GoTo)

I power the mount with a Marine deep cycle battery. I also power the dew control straps(not shown) that wrap the tubes to keep the optics above dew point.Hope this helps.

NH

WOW that some bad hat harry seriously Nice piece of equipt would love to see some more of your space/planets pics i love outaspace

looks like a heart... very nice!

astrophotography blows my mind

MetalRain wrote in post #3842826
looks like a heart... very nice!

astrophotography blows my mind

ME TOO ME TOO makes us realise how uninportant we are in the whole grand scheme of things :S

Thanks MetalRain and Angie.

NH

WOW! I'm checking all your photos. They are simply great!

steve..you are my newest favorite photog.

I love astronomy when I was a kid and your photos just brings back wonderful memories....

Great work Steve.... With two extremely good imaging scopes. You need a dolly for the G-11. I hurt just thinking about hauling that moose out to the yard ... Nice collection of hardware

Thanks SuperBet, GlennSter and alex.

GlennSter, I checked out your gallery, you're quite the talented portrait photographer, excellent stuff.

Alex, It's not bad at all when you take the mount off the tripod. I rarely shoot at home anymore, too much light. I load everything up and travel a short distance to one of two dark sites. I need an observatory in a big way, just don't want to build one where I am now.

NH

I understand brother... I have good skies here in Nassau as I am on the the quiet side of the Island... The out islands have no detectable ambient light which when given the chance to go I always take my little Orion 80ED with a Panoramic mount just for enjoying the views the clear skies have to offer...I find my self leaving the heavy artillery in the house and most times just use the grab and go gear unless imaging is the plan. I have a Discovery Dob I like too when a decent size, deep sky light bucket is the order of the night. Almost a grab and go My brother Stephen uses a G-11 and is just as sick as we are. He is also into imaging, and does very well with it as well.. He lives in Shirley Massachusetts and has the same ambient light issues you are talking about... It is maddening when all other things considered you have a stellar night for vieiwng and imaging with the even more important role dark skies play, and it is limited to average viewing (only)because of the light pollution... Of course I bust his chops for the sport of it due to the conditions I have here ... I think the G-11 is a handfull but as far as I'm concerned GEM's don't get any finer, so I understand the motivation to deal with it. I opted for the inferior 8 but find it easier on the back and still does a respectable job with my C9.25 which does put it at its stability limit. Once again brother very sweet gear and excellent work... Are you imaging with the Vixen Newt as well... I see you have a starlight focuser on it. I have often thought about getting an RS200SS based on it's reputation, imaging results and speed... If I remember correctly it is an f4.5? Are you using a 20Da, a self converted or a stock 20D? With the colors you are getting I am assuming you have the sensor filter removed... You are clearly getting wonderful Hydrogen Alpha results. Well as you can tell I'm impressed all the way around A pleasure to see your work.... You are motivating me to get back out and get active again... Take care