Thanks for the update Tyler. Like Joe (and I'm sure many others here) I'm looking forward to you next batch of images. And perhaps Tyler's message can also serve to show those just getting started in astroimaging that having nice equipment and lots of experience still doesn't tame all the gremlins in the system. It's a never ending learning curve. But the rewards can be very satisfying. And speaking of "those just getting started" I see SLASer Dale Wilson has just joined us here. If memory serves that means we've got at least 3 here (Mike, Joe and Gary) just getting started up the curve. Are there any more? Clear skies! (please...) patrick On 29 Dec 2008, at 14:51, Joe Bauman wrote:
Hi Tyler, I hope you can get some kind of rebate because of the bum secondary. Meanwhile, all of us would like to see your latest photos! Happy new years, Joe
--- On Mon, 12/29/08, Tyler Allred <tylerallred@earthlink.net> wrote: From: Tyler Allred <tylerallred@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] FORMERLY - Want feedback on my Orion Nebula picture flaws To: "'Utah Astronomy'" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Monday, December 29, 2008, 2:18 PM
Patrick wrote < As long as you are still awake, care to provide an update on your ASA>
Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you on this one.
I have had a rough time getting the ASA up and working. There was a problem with the secondary mirror that was causing astigmatism. It took me a while to troubleshoot it because I never suspected the secondary. Steve Dodds helped me out by testing the mirrors. I replaced the secondary with a 1/30th wave Antares that is really top notch... way better than the original secondary mirrors used by ASA. Since getting everything fixed up I have had only one night of shooting between the clouds, but the results were promising. I took a few frames of M109 with the KAF3200XME Finger Lakes camera and you can see at least a dozen other galaxies in the image. I had some guiding issues with the frames however (new guider), so it is a little hard to tell much about the system. I will say that it was nice to finally see focused round stars through the scope. I can't imagine why the secondary was bad.
I think everything must now be ready for use because the weather has turned on me completely. :(
Tyler