I’m so glad you all liked the image. Let you into a secret. Watch this space, there’s more to come.
John,
The camera is an Apogee AP8p using a large sensor SiTe size 1k x 1k x 24 microns. Visible QE 90%, IR (I band) QE 40%. It works at 1.35 arc secs per pixel.
The combination of telescope/camera has been used in the last 2 years for survey work to detect EKBOs at high latitudes. This hasn’t been done before by professional astronomers in this region. Also I had to achieve magnitude thresholds beyond the norm.
However, last November, I also decided to do research into exoplanets.. Exoplanets monitoring transits can be at least 4 hours depending on the star. So a lot of improvements needed to be done to the instrument system to improve resolution.
Various imaging experiments were performed in order to reach better resolution and better tracking over long exposures times. During last summer I did a lot of improvements to the OTA re flock lining to improve contrast, quicker collimation each session, significant optical coma corrections flat to the edge, amplifying the image to higher resolution for close ups on targets, giant wind barriers and many other things.
In order to follow this route it was important to carry useful imaging of galaxies and nebulae in different bands and to improve in the processing. Mira Pro is ideal for photometry so getting practice on all these other beautiful targets has spurned on the inspiration.
Carl,
The sensor does have some dust. It does show up also in the centre. I have one residue at the bottom. Last year I had a problem with leakage; ie. the inert gas had escaped. This was repurged again.
Eamonn A
MPC J62
www.kingslandobservatory.com
  