A serious astrophoto challenge!

Guys,

Earlier today I received the latest issue of Astronomy Now and I came across a really neat astrophoto challenge they describe on page 48. To be more specific, quasar PC1247+3406 is at mag 20.4 (!) and at a distance of over 10 billion light-years away.

I was planning to pursue it this evening but the clouds will not do me the favour and get lost.

Anyway, I mention this interesting challenge in the event someone MAY be interested. I will setup tomorrow evening as well with the hope I can squeeze in a couple of hours at the right time during the evening for this quasar.

Guys,

Earlier today I received the latest issue of Astronomy Now and I came across a really neat astrophoto challenge they describe on page 48. To be more specific, quasar PC1247+3406 is at mag 20.4 (!) and at a distance of over 10 billion light-years away.

I was planning to pursue it this evening but the clouds will not do me the favour and get lost.

Anyway, I mention this interesting challenge in the event someone MAY be interested. I will setup tomorrow evening as well with the hope I can squeeze in a couple of hours at the right time during the evening for this quasar.

Mag 20.4!! :shock:
I'll see if I can eyeball it with my finderscope next time I'm out.

Actually, it would be interesting to know how deep my camera/telescope combo can go...

Michael, I'd bet you'd get it,
I've seen pluto through the 12" visually on a good night and thats magnitude~14, so mag 20+ with a camera like that is very possible.

Gents,

I should mention that one should also have good seeing since we have a very distant and dim point source of light. According to the AN column, it is less than 1" in size.

Got anything I could use the big scopes on then??

Certainly an interesting challenge, Anthony. I think the size presents more problems than the magnitude to be honest. 1" than allows for zero guiding errors period and also the seeing and transparency would have to be all 10/10.

Well, good luck Anto!