A first light project

[Andy Nowlen]

HI All, I finally return. I hope our summer will be clearer than our winter/spring!

First Light with my new-to-me Meade 127 ED/APO EMC scope. On May 25 I got about 5 hours of integration on the Iris Nebula.
Focal length = 1140mm
Camera - Asi533mcp
Mount=ioptron CEM70
(I did try it on my CEM40. But the tube length, not the weight, made it too unsteady.)
ZWO EAF
Filter=UV/IR
Capture-AsiAir Pro
Stack-Astropixel Processor
Refining-Pixinsight
I do notice that the rig takes a longer time to settle since the tube is so long. But I am enjoying it so far. Even though it is a doublet I think the color correction is pretty good. I like the apparent texture it presents. This is the first time I have used a refractor that is so long.

 

[AlanLichty]

Wow - that is same really nice detail. Impressive result.

 

[JimFox]

Hey Andy!

Now that's the focal length I was looking at. Or in that range if possible. As I researched, I saw some of the scopes that were pretty light so that I could use them, but their length was such that I thought that the length could be a problem. So thanks for confirming that for me.

I really like this image. You got such great detail in it. We have been missing you, so i am really enjoying this.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Andy,

Looks like a great firsdt light! I would say it is doing a very wonderful job. I am very interested to see a doublet being used for astrophotography like this. I have always considered refractors to be the best with imaging, I just really like the pinpoint stars and wonderful contrast they can deliver. But with the larger triplet (and more) designs the price goes up really fast. I have been scared away from doublets though fearing that the color correction just wouldn't be good enough. So I will continue to follow your results with this scope with great interest. Thanks for posting!

ML

 

[Dan Moorehead]

Wonderful

 

[Andy Nowlen]

It is certainly true that triplets are preferred.
I should have noted that this image was captured with the Triad Ultra quad-band filter. I know your comments are accurate. Without some of the new PI tools, it would be extremely difficult to process the images. Overall, I’m glad to add this scope experience to my knowledge base. I don’t anticipate being able to, and might not be totally interested in, the 127mm Explore Scientific triplet at $2200. . I still have the 10-inch Meade SCT. I might use that again, but I got sick of the constant collimation issues. Maybe someone will invent a way to automate that! That would be worth investing in!