Deep Sky Gallery

Film Images

	M42
	Date	:	?
	Optical system	:	6" F5 Newtonian + MPCC + Vixen VX-1 body
	Emulsion	:	Kodak E200S professional slide
	Exp. time	:	~45 min (?)
	Mounting	:	Takahashi EM200 USD
	Guiding	:	Manual guiding with Vixen 70S + 3x + Pentax IR-E6 G.E. at ~220x
	Location	:	Taiwan
	Sky conditions	:	Data lost
	Film Scanner	:	1 hour photo shop
	Remark	:	Wind light

	M42
	Date	:	?
	Optical system	:	10" F4-7 Newtonian + MPCC + Vixen VX-1 body
	Emulsion	:	Kodak Supra 400 colour negative
	Exp. time	:	~20 min (?)
	Mounting	:	Vixen Atlux old version non-goto equatorial mount
	Guiding	:	Manual guiding with Vixen 70S + 3x + Pentax IR-E6 G.E. at ~220x
	Location	:	Sai Kung, Hong Kong
	Sky conditions	:	Data lost
	Remark	:	Wind light

More images are coming........... Please stay tuned.

DSLR Images

Deep Sky Objects taken with DSLR in Hong Kong (Click on images for a larger version)

M27 from 04 Aug 2007
8" F4.5 Newtonian + MPCC + modded 300D	Comment: This is a test shot to see how a modified DSLR improves its response to red light, escpecially for H-alpha light. From this shot in comparison with another M27 images below with an unmodded 350D, the modification does improve the response. So, I am going to modify my EOS 350D.

M22  from 03 Aug 2007	M27 from 03 Aug 2007
VMC 260L + 0.6x reducer + 350D	VMC 260L + 0.6x reducer + 350D

Comment :

Originally, I wanted to do a test at this night to see how long an unguided exposure could be achieved after a PEC on this mount. But the scattering clouds brought me with problem to train the PEC well with this mount.

In spite of it, one minute of unguided exposure @ photographic focal length = 1800mm can be achieved at about 80% success ratio.

It is a pity that the collimation is a little bit off. For contrast and resolution, IMHO, this 260L is a good one for both deep sky imaging and visual observation. 

M13 from 22 Jun 2007	M22 from 22 Jun 2007
6" F5 Newtonian + MPCC + 350D	6" F5 Newtonian + MPCC + 350D

Comment :

I love the design of SX-D and believe it can have more payload, more strength and better damping performance than GP-DX. The RA gear is a 180 tooth one. So, if the machining tolerance of the gears is same as GP-DX, SX-D should have lower PE value than that of GP-DX.

Therefore, I purchased this Sphinx SX-D from Vixen for business promotion and private use.

Therefore, I run a test at this night to see how this mount could perform on unguided imaging. So as to save the imaging time, after polar alignment with the help of the built-in polar scope, I started imaging without any star drifting method to fine align the mount RA axis.

No problem to have 45 sec unguided exposure with this 6" F5 Newtonian. My goal is to have 3 minute unguided exposure with this SX-D @ photographic focal length = 500 mm at about 80% success ratio.  Hope I can achieve this goal next time.

Test Images taken with Canon EOS 350D

When I have more leisure time, I will post up more images.

Cooled CCD Images

I have owned a SBIG ST-2000XM for nearly 2 years. But the weather in Hong Kong is really very terrible, and I don't have too much leisure time for astronomy in these 2 years too. So, no serious image has taken up to now. Hope acquiring some later.

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