Equipment Preparations

Part of the fun is to re-arrange the equipments to prepare future exploration.

On the next morning, I placed the whole motorised SCT focuser into the 85mm refractor via a SCT 2" nosepiece.

I found that it reaches focus without problem.  I can use autofocusing next time, expect better results.  The light pollution filter could also be attached to the 2" nosepiece.  

Quite elegant.  The 85mm refractor focuser could be used for rough focusing while the motorised one could be driven by the ASIAir for final fine tuning.  It could be great for adjustments when doing imaging, like switching target, thermal expansion or contraction during the session.

The whole SCT focuser could be plugged back to the SCT, simply plug and play.  Miuch easier than removing and re-installing the focusing motor.

I have also focused my guiding scope on distant object, fine tune and then locked the drawtube in a good position, minor tweaking could be done via the helical focuser.

I am planning to sell my Canon FD 300mm f2.8, I won't be using it any more.  Don't get me wrong, it is good when you don't want guiding.  300mm is moderate enough and f2.8 is fast enough for that situation, so the Herscules adapter with filter drawer will be up for sales too.

I will keep the Canon EF 200mm f2.8 however, for other type of photography, and also some wider field imaging, again when guiding is not required.

I have placed the SCT reducer on my Meade 8" for lower power observation, I would prefer that unless I do planet imaging.  I will try deep sky imaging with it later.

20251120 Deep sky imaging with a telescope

Finally took the plunge to use a real telescope for imaging.  I have been locking myself in using camera lenses, thinking that it's easier and faster (aperture).

This test shot blew my socks off.  The stars are so nicely taken, better than camera lenses.  This is not a real APO but it's not bad especially when compared with camera lenses.

Camera lenses are lighter and easier to operate, but a telescope could do more at the expense of more complicated setup, like more accurate polar alignment and to do guiding in order to have longer exposure.

After the imaging session, I did some planet observations with my daughter Almy using the 8" SCT, nice one.  The Rigel Quick Finder was way out of alignment.  I ended up using a distant lamp post for rough alignment, and then fine tune on the planet.

I spent little time in the preparation, which wasted some of my time in the cool weather.

My 85mm scope cannot reach focus without a diagonal or extension tube.  I went back and forth cooling off my fingers.

Before observation preparation: I tried to put on the motor focuser on the 85mm but the mounting plate is not matching so 

ZWO S30 First nights

Got a few nights to test this little piece of equipment.

Fantastic value!  It has autofocuser, wifi remote control box, built-in light pollution filter, and even a dew heater!  How can they put all these valuable stuff into just a single small box?

Using it is no brainer, just put it there and they will do all the job. 

I always say astronomy is about polar alignment, focusing and collimation.  You don't need to do any of these things!  Just put it outside and it's ready to go.

It's very portable, so it can be used for ad hoc events like comets, you can bring it any where, even camping trips.

It's not cooled, but since it's so easy and ready to use, you can gather more shots for stacking.  Scottish weather helps too.

Two unprocessed shots out of the box, the first one was stitched automagically.  The second one was direct.  

The best telescope is the one you can use most, this is undoutedly the best telescope.

The only downside is, you cannot put an eyepiece on it.

20251101 Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon again

 

Taken with a 533mc with a Canon 200mm f2.8, 120s exposure, I believe around ten frames stacked.

Processed the image taken on 2025/10/25, taken with a Canon 6D with a 200mm f2.8, 60s exposure ISO 1600, around 16 frames stacked.  I messed up with the color and ended up making it monochromatic.