Setup my S30 on remote mode, I can control it when I was outside.
I did try to do that many years ago for solar observation, but it never worked out well.
Such a economical and versatile setup, simply amazing!
I am capturing M33 again, and turn to the Rosette Nebula at around 9:10pm.
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I will setup my Meade 8" to do something.
Configuration: SCT - Reducer - Focuser
Note on focusing, I've to turn anti-clockwise after inserting the reducer.
Polar alignment works pretty well with the reducer on, plate solving was fast too.
Effective focal length is 1171mm.
The first target was M45, yes! Such a wide field target but I only target on Merope, doing some 10s exposure. Guiding does not help, or I should say it makes things worse. I turned it off and let it drift, it works better than without guiding. There were72 frames only, so nothing could be shown virtually.
My guidescope was just 230mm which does not help indeed.
The next target was silver silver galaxy (NGC 891), I turned on guiding so that at least the framing will be retained. Guiding was much better this time and so I tried 30s exposure. It looks good so far after 17 frames. Started at around 9:10 as well.
At around 9:45, I found that I was doing only 10s exposures... I got around 300 frames, Meade 8" with reducer, fairly lazy processing by Siril. The result is less than ideal, but the total exposure was very limited too.
Did some Jupiters with reducer on, should remove it but I was too lazy.
2053 and 2055 (UT), the amount of detail is good, larger aperture really helps. I shall remove the reducer and put a 2x barlows in next time.
The sky was foggy and it indicates better seeing?
Turning to M1 for some test shots too.
Seems like it's not very successful for shorter exposure imaging.
Conclusion:
Dark, Flat, Bias should always be taken.
Flat should be taken everytime when I do imaging, probably at the very beginning or at the end of all target.
Postlude: my 51st birthday under a starry sky
I guess I should use Hong Kong time as the reference when treating birthday.
Anyway, I gave myself a chance to spend under the starry night. I didn't go out with my daugther for her band and I stayed at home alone.
The experiment of using a SCT did not work out well, most probably due to dew formation. SCT is a dew magnet since the corrector is very much exposed, I have bought a dew shield and a dew heater. So, shall try again later.
Collimation should be fixed, but then guiding does not work out well too. Getting a long focal length guidescope is too much luxury and I shall change the mount too?
Planet imaging is not as enjoyable as before, selling the SCT at the end? Or at least selling the reducer?
However, the SCT is still good for visual deep sky observation. M42 is showing some very delicate structures even in my garden. I always love visual work. Or going for a dobsonian?
If that's the case, maybe selling the harmonic drive mount, the cooled camera, the motorised focuser altogether? Stay with a S30 or those smart telescopes? Call me lazy.
But I know I will keep playing them at the time being, maybe try one or two more years.
Maybe it's time to use those smart telescopes to do some research, like automated studies?
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