Newspaper Article about my Heart Nebula Image
(26-10-2015)
Gibraltar Amateur Astronomers Society - 2013
Borg 77EDII - 77mm F/4.3 Refractor OTA with Canon 60Da
Final Part of the Set-up
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| Had to change the bracket holding the Takahashi 106 to this black bracket which can host on top the Borgs 77ed bracket |
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| This image shows how you can attached the three scopes in vertical. The mount can easily hold this load as they are probably balance, you would need to adjust the counter weights both in declination and right ascension. |
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| Both Cameras connected, the SX694 CCD to the Taka, the Canon 60Da to the Borg |
Part 1
This good refractor has been with me some time unused, given that is a very small version of the Takasashi 106ED (q), its the poor relative as I put it. But why waist it. I going to placed it as a piggyback to my setup, so I had to order a new set of bracket /rings holders. While I wait for its delivery I started to prepare the imaging train.
Its back focus distance is 55mm from the reducer to the Canon chip. This is achieved quit easy by placing a Canon T-Ring adapter (5005) that screw directly to the rear end of the reducer, and that's it. Lucky I have T-Rings for all SDLR main brands , I used them when I had a public competition a few years back, basically I invited the public to bring their cameras and use the society's telescopes to take images to planets.Great enjoyment.
Any way, back to business, the following images shows the Borg scope, and the 60Da, with the T-ring.
Canon 60Da
In 2012 Canon came out with the EOS 60Da, a replacement for the 20Da. The long-wavelength filter in the 60Da transmits 1.5 times more hydrogen-alpha light than a 20Da, and 3 times more than a stock 60D.
There is a lot of interest in Canon's 60Da astrophotographic camera and questions about how it performs for deep-sky astrophotography of red emission nebula compared to a non-modified camera, as well as to a stock camera that has been modified. With 18 millions pixels and a 332sq mm senso, this is quit a chip.
Part 2
Installation of Motor Focus to the 2" focuser. Its a Feather Touch connected to the Hub which in turn connects to the Laptop
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| Hub connecting the motor (outlet), Current (inlet) and cable to PC |
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| The Software to run the focuser |
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| Connecting the PC |
Takahashi FSQ-106ED (Europe) specifications
Next Step in my development
The astrophotographers see in the FSQ-106ED one of the best astrographes available for the amateur astronomers. With its focal length of 530mm, an image circle of 88mm and a photographic field of 9,5°, it acts as teleobjective for most powerful CCD and DSR/DSLR cameras of the market.
Based on a Petzval quadruplet optical design with apochromatic ED glasses, the FSQ-106ED is optimized for wide-field imaging of the deep sky. It offers a flat field, and comes equiped with a built-in camera angle adjuster and an oversized rack-and-pinion focuser. To minimize the size of the optical tube, it includes a retractable dewshield and an important backfocus
Optical specifications
| Spec. | FSQ-106ED |
|---|---|
| Optical design | Modified Petzval quadruplet apochromat |
| Aperture | 106 mm |
| Standard | |
| Focal length | 530 mm |
| Focal ratio | F/5.0 |
| Resolution | 1.09" |
| Limiting magnitude | 11.8 |
| Light grasp | 220x |
| Image circle | 88 mm |
| Photo field | 9.5° |
| Back focus | 186.38 mm |
| Metal back | 178 mm |
| With QE-Reducer | |
| Focal length | 385mm |
| Focal ratio | F/3.6 |
| Image circle | 44mm |
| Photo field | 6.5° |
| Metal back | 72.2 mm |
Part 4 - Assembling the Hardware
The assembling of a permanent observatory either with roof or without, you still require a considerable of equipment. The mount will be the main whereby you would have to build around it.
The AP mount 1100GTO is an excellent mount for precision astrophotography. This particular mount does not include the Absolute Encoders. AE are the latest technology in precision guilding.On axis encoders have many advantages, they should not be considered a panacea for taking long unguided photos. External factors such as optical tubes that bend and differential refraction that conspire to degrade pointing and tracking accuracy cannot be fixed with on axis encoders.
Advantages of on axis encoders:
1. Mount is marginally easier to use by eliminating the need to
initialize the mount's position (through homing or synchronization) at start up
or after power loss.
2. Provides improved pointing and tracking accuracy by
continuously monitoring the position of the main gear, as opposed to an encoder
mounted to the motor's drive shaft.
3. Virtually eliminates errors caused by periodic error as well as
the need to train periodic error.
4. Transparent operation; the on-axis encoder hardware and
electronic sensors are integral to the mount's mechanical design, control
system electronics and control software.
Disadvantages of on axis encoders:
1. Cost. On axis encoder technology is expensive. Not everybody can afford it, although I am sure that everybody would like to have it.
On,y two others mounts provide AE, 10Mircon & APA, apart from these three supplier, I am not aware of any other.
The Mount would need a pier to hold it steady and strongly fixed, I decided on a 8" diameter steel pier with a top movable flange to avoid complication when the mount is fixed on.
This is the top flange with the AP adaptor that will hold the AP mount
I also included a tray for the mount.
Finally the RAPA polar alignment scope.
The final setup with all the units assembled.
Apart from the setup, there are all the bits & pieces that will assist me to control better the mount.
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| The Mount Hub Pro, is an excellent addition to all mounts, it will provide just a single USB cable from the unit to the laptop. From the hub I will connect (input)at least five accessories, like;CCD, AO, Dew Heaters, gilder camera and so on. Instead of having all these units cables running from the pier to the laptop, only one output will be used from the hub. |
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