2015-09-20 First Light with the Stellarvue SV80 Apochromat

Post date: Sep 22, 2015 5:5:44 PM

I took these images at White Memorial Conservation Area, Whiteside, MO with my new Stellarvue SV80 apochromat and 0.8x focal reducer and field flattener. I am excited to have this wider angle telescope in time for imaging some of the larger deep sky objects, without loss in resolution. The focal reducer shows some signs of astigmatism at the edges of the frame, which can likely be reduced after I adjust the camera mount spacing.

NGC0224 M31 the Adromeda Galaxy, NGC0221 M32 and NGC0205 M110

NGC0224 M31, NGC0221 M32 and NGC0205 M110. Imaged at F/4.8 for 72 minutes total exposure at ISO-800 with a Nikon D5200 FS(B) modified camera, Stellarvue SV 80mm aperture apochromat + 0.8x focal reducer at F/4.8 and Baader UVIR cut filter. Mounted on a Celestron Advanced VX mount and autoguided with Orion 50 mm F/3.3 SSAG. Imaged in 18 light, 13 dark, 19 bias frames.

NGC1499 the California Nebula

NGC1499 the California Nebula. Imaged at F/4.8 for 1 hour 44 minutes total exposure at ISO-800 with a Nikon D5200 FS(B) modified camera, Stellarvue SV 80mm aperture apochromat + 0.8x focal reducer at F/4.8 and Baader UVIR cut filter. Mounted on a Celestron Advanced VX mount and autoguided with Orion 50 mm F/3.3 SSAG. Imaged in 26 light, 13 dark, 19 bias frames

This is the imaging configuration, with added foam dew cover for damp Missouri nights. I can mount a wide angle camera below the scope for additional images.