Archives
(Early images - caution some are rough
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I now use two Telescopes, Celestron C8 (203 mm - FL 2030) and William Optics Megrez II APOGrade (80 mm - FL 555 mm). For some of the images and particularly for Archived images, I have used an Orion ST80 Refractor, and a Starmax127 Maksutov Cassigrain. Also some images were made on the William Optics Megrez II 80 mm SD optics before the APO upgrade. Also used on occasion is a 180 mm Focal Length Vivitar Camera Lens.
The current mount I use is a Celestron ASGT (Advanced Series) mount. The C8 and the Megrez are dual mounted. Either scope can be used for imaging or guiding. The Vivitar lens is piggyback mounted when it is used. I have also used a smaller Orion EQ3 mount with the RA axis motorized for some images and particularly images in the Archive.
The advanced series mount is a Goto system that has an Autoguide port which I have made use of. I currently use a Long Exposure modified Webcam as an autoguide camera with a Shoestring Astronomy PC parallel port to Autoguide port interface. I have also designed and used a PC Serial port to Autoguide port. Please click here for more information on an Autoguide Interface for the Advanced Series mount.
My imaging Camera is an Artemis285 Camera using the Sony ICX285AL CCD. I am guiding with a Long Exposure mod Philips Vesta Pro webcam. Many images and particularly Archive images were made with a Modified ToUcam with the Sony ICX424 CCD, and a modified the Vesta Pro. The ToUCam has also been modified to produce RAW mode Images. This modification was developed by the TWIRG group within the QCUIAG group. This RAW mode modification is a significant improvement of this web cam in producing artifact free images.
Also used are Hydrogen Alpha filter and IR block filter. There is also a complement of extensions, barlows, and focal reducers used to obtain the desired Field of View on the camera CCD.
Current Equipment list:
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Celestron C8 (203 mm - FL 2030 mm) Schmidt Cassigrain
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William Optics Megrez II (80 mm - FL 555 mm) APO Refractor
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Vivitar 180 mm Camera Lens T-Thread mount
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Celestron ASGT Mount (with Self made dual mount platform)
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Artemis285 Camera (1392 x 1040 pixel 6.45 micron square)
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Philips Vesta Pro LE modified webcam
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Meade 0.33x Reducer / Flattener
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Celestron 0.63x Reducer / Flattener
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Paul Rini (150 mm FL) Focal Reducer
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Astronmik Filter Drawer
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Astronomic H-Alpha 13 nm filter
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Edmund Optics Dichrioic RGB filters
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Baader IR/UV block filter
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Astronomik IR block filter
Click on the images below for more details about my equipment.
Celestron C8 System
Artemis Camera and Accessories
Older systems and equipment:
Starmax 127 System
Cameras and Accessories
Autoguide Interface for C8 System