Current Telescopes
At the Current time I'm using
the
Astro-Tech
AT111EDT 111mm
f/7 ED triplet apochromatic refractor.
I have replaced the stock focuser with the
MoonLite
CFL 2.5 inch
Large Format Crayford for Refractor
and
the High Res
Stepper Motor. This allows for Precision computer controled
focusing.
The second scope I have is the Meade LX90 8" UHTC. I use this along with the Refractor for viewing.
Scopes setup for viewing in Alt/Az Mode
Scope Setup for Imaging in EQ Mode
Current Mount
I just purchased about 6 months ago
the new Skywatcher
AZ-EQ6 SynScan GPS.
This is a fantastic mount for both imaging and viewing. The Tripod
that comes with it was not up to handling the load so I had a
custom adapter plate made to attach the mount to a Meade Field
Tripod
The Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 SynScan gives
optimal stability and pointing accuracy for a wide variety of heavy
professional photo and video equipment. It is a hybrid mount
with alt-azimuth capability for general use, and equatorial
capability for astrophotography use. Supplied with a SynScan
handset with dual AZ/EQ firmware, it can automatically find and
track 42,900+ celestial objects from its database.
AZ-EQ6 SynScan is capable of carrying heavy-duty photographic
equipment for professional shooting and video recording. It is a
very efficient transportable mount weighing only 15 kg, for a load
capacity of 20 kg (counterweight
excluded).
Mount Type EQ/Alt-AZ Dual Mode
| Counter Weight | 2x 5 kg |
Accessory Tray |
Large wall to wall |
Motor Drive |
1.8° Hybrid Stepper Motor |
GoTo |
SynScan Hand Control |
Tripod Height |
127 cm ( 50") |
Tripod Weight |
7.5 kg, 2" steel legs |
| Power Supply | DC11~16V
4A |
| Payload
Capacity |
20 kg (counterweight
excluded) |
| Tracking
Modes |
Alt-azimuth /
Equatorial |
| Tracking
Rates |
Sidereal / Solar / Lunar
rate |
| Slewing
Speed |
up to 4.2°/sec
(800x) |
| Guiding Speed | 0.125x, 0.25x, 0.5x, 0.75x,
1x |
CCD CAMERA QHY10
I have been the proud owner of the QHY10 CCD Camera for about 6 months now. This is one heck of a nice camera. You can see some of the images I have take with it under the CCD Images Link at the top of the page.
Main Features
- Total pixel : 3964 x 2712
- Active pixels: 3900 x 2616
- Pixel Size: 6.05um x 6.05um square
- Color method: RGB BAYER film on CCD
- Sony Super HAD CCD sensor ICX493AQA
- Readout noise: 8-10 e- @600 Kpixel/s
- System Gain: 0.7e-/ADU
- Fullwell:45ke-
- Support Binning: 1*1,2*2,4*4
- Download speed: 18sec/4sec for full image
- Preview speed: 1sec for 4*4binning image
- One 2*2binning ROI mode to increase the focus speed
- Microlensing on chip
- ABG: -100dB
- 16bit ADC with CDS and Preamp
- USB2.0 High Speed interface
- Two Stage TEC, Low power consumption
- Build in Active Fan
- Max Delta T=43-45 degree below ambient
- Low Power consumption: 13Watte @ 50% TEC power
- Center and Tilt Adjustable construction
- Build in temperature sensor
- DC201 with TEC controller/Regular
- Ultra small size suitable for primary focus imaging and Hyperstar
- Weight: 400g
Guide Scope & Guide Camera
I have for some time been using the Orion 80mm f/5 Telescope as my Autoguider. I did have the Orion Starshoot Guider for a couple of years. I have upgraded to the QHY5L II Mono Camera as it is more sensitive than the Orion version. I have the Blue Colored one
QHY5L-II
- CMOS Sensor MT9M034 Mono/Color
- CMOS Size 1/3 inch
- Effective Pixels 1280*960
- Pixel Size 3.75um*3.75um
- Readout Type Progressive Scan
- Shutter Electric Rolling Shutter
- Exposure Range 20us-10minutes
- Maximum Frame Rate 1280*960 30FPS 1024*768 44FPS 800*600 75FPS 640*480 106FPS 20*240 200FPS
- Pixel Binning 1x1
- Peak QE Color Version: 52%@blue 62%@green 58%@red>
- Mono Version: 74%
- AD convert 8bit/12bit(output) 14bit(Internal)
- Pixel Rate 12/24/48/72MHz
- Mechanical Size 1.25inch eyepiece style (31.6mm)
- Optical Window Color : 22mm 680nm IR cut filter
- Mono: 22mm AR+AR coating glass
- Back Focus 10.4mm(when use standard optic window)
- Weight 45g(camera body only , not include locate ring)
- Power Consumption 0.64W
- Guider Interface Opto-Isolated 6pin RJ11
- Computer Interface USB 2.0
Orion 80mm f/5 Guidescope
- Optical design Refractor
- Optical diameter 80mm
- Focal length 400mm
- Focal ratio f/5.0
- Coatings Fully multi-coated
- Optics type Air-spaced doublet
- Glass material Crown/Flint