Gemini G42

Cheers Dave, would love to pop over for a peek and a chat. I'll PM now.

Damien

Frank_Ryan_jr wrote:

I've settled on a C14 but mount I'm still not 100% on.

Frank - what do you want to do with the C14?

Dave,
Mainly for imaging the planets & moon.
I'd like to track and image comets & satellites.
Deep sky imaging I'm not too interested in
but might give it a go for some fun.

Frank you may need to stretch your definition of fun if you get into DSO imaging

Frank_Ryan_jr wrote:

Dave,
Mainly for imaging the planets & moon.
I'd like to track and image comets & satellites.
Deep sky imaging I'm not too interested in
but might give it a go for some fun.

Hmmm... I know the likes of Damien Peach has (had?) a C14 for such work. It would be a pretty mean setup alright but you really do need very good seeing to make it work (I think Damien spent many a while in Barbados or somewhere like it).

For tracking comets, you'd need a pretty good mount - especially for the faint ones. Or you'll need to invest in a guidescope/camera which brings in flexure as a big issue. Alternatively (and I'm no expert) there's the SBIG route (with the patented guide chip) or an OAG (not too sure about any makes but Van Slyke look the business).

One thing that does strike me is you'll need to be carul matching the OTA and CCD chip. I recal there being absolutely no point going down to anything less than 15 micron pixels - the seeing plus the Focal Length of the C14 just won't sut it. You'd just be binning at 2x, even 3x more than using the native pixels.

Sure, that's what this forum is all about! Do the research and get the feedback. We'll help you spend your money wisely*.
Dave

* how about giving me the dosh for a 12' dome and I'll name it after ye?

hickeydp wrote:

Frank you may need to stretch your definition of fun if you get into DSO imaging

LOL
I Won't!
Believe me.
Each to thier own and DSO Imaging has zero attraction for me.
Now, looking at others work I can do alllll day!

If I did do a little DSOI then it'd really be just to do it...
If that makes any sense.