Considering upgrading from an 8" Edge HD to 14" or larger for CCD imaging of galaxies. Can anyone point me to the improvement I might see under similar conditions? My current 8" images are at http://www.astrobin.com/users/KuriousGeorge/
14" vs 8"
Have you thought about a 10-12" f/5 newtonian? It would give you a nice image scale and since it's faster that your current scope would give less noise and much faster results.
Noise seems to be what stops you from getting better results with your current setup and a larger just as slow scope would't help with that.
Noise seems to be what stops you from getting better results with your current setup and a larger just as slow scope would't help with that.
Thanks. I'll check it out!
I got a C11 because I cannot physically lift anything bigger, and I like to regularly reconfigure my setup. The C11 has many virtues and has enough magnification for most of my more distant targets. One issue with the SCT in general is mirror shift, which makes consistent focusing almost impossible. A solution can be found at Optec which makes a device that adjusts the secondary mirror rather than the primary. With the primary locked in place I do all my focusing with the Optec device. For imaging you may also want to budget for a 0.7 focal reducer.
You don't seem to be doing too badly with that C8 and mount ! Well done.
You don't seem to be doing too badly with that C8 and mount ! Well done.
I agree. Seems like you are doing well with the C8 and a C14 may be more of a headache than it is worth. I think the 8" is the sweet spot for imaging.
Have a 14 and doubt I will ever use it for imaging.
HA
Thanks guys! Since I posted, I've been gaining more experience with my 8", mount, camera and processing. I think a 14 might yield sharper stars with less donuts after deconvolution (i.e., smaller central obstruction %). But I'm starting to think it might be a very small overall improvement under my seeing conditions, and not worth the extra maintenance a 14 might need (e.g., cleaning, covering, keeping in focus, etc).
I have a C14 classic and would never attempt imaging with it unless you invest in a Astro Physics 1600 Mount. Even then focus shift would be an ongoing problem and guiding would be near impossible at near 4000 mm. I must say although for visual it is a spectacular OTA under extreme dark sky's.
I think this is the main issue this t'scope :
I've been using the 8" Edge myself and it's a great telescope , but it's slow. I'll keep it, because it is portable and I really like the Edge+Hyperstar combination. At longer focal lengths, the light gathering power isn't that good. I was considering a Newton because of it's FL and speed but was able to get a bargain RC10. Like the Edge , the RC10 also has a corrected field but it has more light collecting power. Clear nights are rare here, hence speed and aperture are important for me.
Again, it's a good telescope. And there are people , who really know how to use it properly: e.g http://www.astrobin.com/users/Thirteen/
Have you thought about a 10-12" f/5 newtonian? It would give you a nice image scale and since it's faster that your current scope would give less noise and much faster results.Noise seems to be what stops you from getting better results with your current setup and a larger just as slow scope would't help with that.
I've been using the 8" Edge myself and it's a great telescope , but it's slow. I'll keep it, because it is portable and I really like the Edge+Hyperstar combination. At longer focal lengths, the light gathering power isn't that good. I was considering a Newton because of it's FL and speed but was able to get a bargain RC10. Like the Edge , the RC10 also has a corrected field but it has more light collecting power. Clear nights are rare here, hence speed and aperture are important for me.
Again, it's a good telescope. And there are people , who really know how to use it properly: e.g http://www.astrobin.com/users/Thirteen/
Thanks carl0s. I agree that Jason is doing some really nice imaging. I'm trying to get close to his Stephen's Quintet. I didn't think that was possible with an 8".
http://www.astrobin.com/268606/?nc=user
http://www.astrobin.com/268606/?nc=user
Yes, his Stephen's Quintet is really great.
considering new mount
I have been saving for a bit and am now almost in position to make a purchase of a new mount. Currently running a 6in newt but hoping to upgrade all things at some point thinking somthing in the area of a 10 inch RC. Unsure which direction to go in f...
Relevant for understanding mount requirements when upgrading to larger telescope aperture.