Weekend at the observatory

[orogenicman]

I spent the weekend at the LAS observatory in Curby, Indiana. I worked with a couple of the guys on the instrument committee ironing out problems with their astrophotogrpahy set up. We fixed one major problem, and have ironed out nearly all remaining problems with the exception of a persistant error in tracking. I have the same mount they use, so that has been helpful in in pinpointing the issue, so hopefully we will get it resolved soon.

While I was there I managed to take some photos with my scope. Here is the results. Enjoy:

B33 & NGC 2024 (The Horsehead and Flame Nebulas, In Orion)

Image:

7x5 minutes - 35 minutes total exposure at ISO 800 (Autoguided)

Camera:

Hutech Modified Canon T1i with Baader Coma corrector and Baader UV-IR cut filter

Equipment:

200mm f5 Modified Konus Newtonian OTA
Losmandy G-11 GEM with Gemini Go To
80mm f5 Orion Shorty Autoguide scope with Orion Star Shooter autoguider
Losmandy heavy duty tripod.
Imaged on October 21, 2011, 2011 at LAS Observatory, Curby, Indiana
Transparency - Good
Seeing - average



NGC 1499 - The California Nebula, in Perseus

Image:

4x5 minutes - 20 minutes total exposure at ISO 800 (Autoguided)

Camera:

Hutech Modified Canon T1i with Baader Coma corrector and Baader UV-IR cut filter

Equipment:

200mm f5 Modified Konus Newtonian OTA
Losmandy G-11 GEM with Gemini Go To
80mm f5 Orion Shorty Autoguide scope with Orion Star Shooter autoguider
Losmandy heavy duty tripod.
Imaged on October 21, 2011, 2011 at LAS Observatory, Curby, Indiana

Transparency - Good
Seeing - average



IC 5146, The Cocoon Nebula, in Cygnus

Image:

6x6 minutes - 36 minutes total exposure at ISO 800 (Autoguided)

Camera:

Hutech Modified Canon T1i with Baader Coma corrector and Baader UV-IR cut filter

Equipment:

200mm f5 Modified Konus Newtonian OTA
Losmandy G-11 GEM with Gemini Go To
80mm f5 Orion Shorty Autoguide scope with Orion Star Shooter autoguider
Losmandy heavy duty tripod.
Imaged on October 21, 2011, 2011 at LAS Observatory, Curby, Indiana

Transparency - Good
Seeing - average



NGC 281, Pacman Nebula, in Cassiopeia

Image:

5x5 minutes - 25 minutes total exposure at ISO 800 (Autoguided)

Camera:

Hutech Modified Canon T1i with Baader Coma corrector and Baader UV-IR cut filter

Equipment:

200mm f5 Modified Konus Newtonian OTA
Losmandy G-11 GEM with Gemini Go To
80mm f5 Orion Shorty Autoguide scope with Orion Star Shooter autoguider
Losmandy heavy duty tripod.
Imaged on October 21, 2011, 2011 at LAS Observatory, Curby, Indiana

Transparency - Good
Seeing - average

Wow, did this wipe me out. I think I could sleep for a week.