Here is my first light image from my remote observatory in Australia. This was taken with my AP 155EDF at f/5.3 and a 16803 chip camera. I want to double the exposure time, but I have been limited by clouds (their winter).

Anyway, it's a start.

http://www.tvdavisastropics.com/astr...s-1_000054.htm

Comments/criticisms welcome.

Tom

Is it ok for me to be jealous?

Clear skies!

Congratulations Tom on your new observatory! Great first light effort! Very well done.

What filters are you using Tom?

Kent

Hi Kent,

Congrats on your new scope. Wonderful images. I wish those fires were out. That smoke has been covering me too!!

Astrodons for now. I might try some others due to the reflections, however.

Tom

Tom,

Great shot. You've got the bright blue areas not too bright and the dark areas have great detail.

Are you using the site affiliated with New Mexico Skies?

And I am curious about the comment on reflections. I presume you mean the circular halos on the brighter stars. Ive had these around bright stars with my Astrodon filters too, but didn't associate them with the filters. But this is the second time in as many days I've heard them associated with the filters. Hmmmm.

--Andy

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Observatorio de la Ballona

I am associated with Macedon Ranges Observatory north of Melbourne.
http://www.darksky.net.au/ I share a pier with John Gleason.

All filter sets can have reflections, not just Astrodons. It also can come from the cover slip off a the CCD window. Can be frustrating for sure.

Tom

Thanks Tom, good to hear it's not a specific problem with the Astrodon filters -- I've liked mine very much and only had reflections in a few cases.

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Observatorio de la Ballona

Another amazing first light image from down under. Simply gorgeous welldone and Clear Skies.

The dirt fest continues. Beautiful image from the master of dirty space. This field is a horizon grazer for me. But should be directly overhead for your Australian set up. I did look at 6729 when in New Zealand a couple years ago. A big version of Hubble's Variable Nebula or a comet look-a-like. Saw only a hint of the dust as lack of sky glow and missing field stars. Not all that obvious in my 6" f/4. I had to rapidly move the scope to see the missing light. Certainly nothing like your image!

Rick