rbrecher

I posted a new pic of the Pacman nebula to my website today. Although I acquired the data in 2011, I only processed it today. Enjoy! http://astrodoc.ca/ngc-281-the-pacman-nebula/ Clear skies, Ron

I posted an article on my website on using deconvolution to enhance detail in deep sky images. Let me know if you have any comments or questions. Thanks to those who have provided constructive feedback on my website; I am learning and have made changes in response to your comments. Clear skies, Ron

Another publication to report. I imaged this object, the Intergalactic Wanderer, in March, in intense moonlight. Complete processing details at http://astrodoc.ca/ngc2419-intergalactic-wanderer/ Thanks for looking! ASA N10 @ f/6.8, SBIG STL-11K camera, Paramount MX

This object was imaged in pretty intense moonlight. Although the moonlight wasn’t much of a problem, the air was turbulent when I imaged M10, so I may come back to it again… Full size image and processing details here. Clear skies, Ron

A few of my recent images, all taken using a 10"-ASA at f/6.8, are at the following links. Detailed processing info is included. Thanks for looking! M12: http://astrodoc.ca/m12-globular-cluster/ M14: http://astrodoc.ca/m14-globular-cluster/ M104: http://astrodoc.ca/m104-sombrero-galaxy/ NGC5907: http://astrodoc.ca/ngc-5907-the-splinter-galaxy/ M106: http://astrodoc.ca/m106-galaxy (BACK COVER OF JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA, JUNE 2014)

Thanks to both of you. I recently launched my web site. Please feel free to have a look around, and leave a comment if you like (the comment you left is now posted, with a reply, Mark). Clear skies, Ron

This is my longest integration ever, made using my ASA N10 at f/6.8. Full details of equipment, acquisition and processing are here. I hope you enjoy the image, and thanks for looking. Clear skies, Ron

I have just started a new website to showcase my images. Please check it out at www.astrodoc.ca. I hope you enjoy my images -- I have been using a 10"-ASA Newtonian astrograph for about 2 years now.

Hello all I use an N10 with an SBIG STL-11K camera, and a LRGBHa filter set from Baader. I have always had corner artifacts that are not corrected using twilight flats. Please use the following link to download files to help me iagnose this problem: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ja3dp3xbn4ne3nk/DBvcAxj0qZ I have posted raw and calibrated single frames, the twilight flat used to calibrate (stack of 16) and the finished image. My Ha filter does not show this defect, but all the others do to varying degrees. I can just about correct this using DBE, but I do have to crop at least a little, and I would rather not have to do this. Anyone have any ideas what could be causing this? It's like the flat is overcorrecting the corners. I am considering upgrading to a camera with a larger chip (e.g. 16803). Perhaps my current camera is not ideal for a scope this fast? In that case, what large chip camera do people recommend for use with this scope? Thanks for your insights and advice. Clear skies, Ron

And Matts - did you get the Celestron 11" dew shield? If you have the part number that would be helpful. How far does it project from the front of the scope? Can you please send a photo so I can see how you've cut things around the focuser? Thank you!

I find my flats don't perfectly correct my light frames. I get corner artifacts at f/3.6 and am wondering if it could be that my dew shield is too long. I use a 10" ASA and my dew shield projects about 10" from the front of the scope. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. Clear skies, Ron

I sent this question to ASA through their support page, and got speedy and helpful reply. The problem was that I had one of the early units of the most recent focuser, and it's hardware name wasn't correct for the ACC software. Anyhow, the problem is now solved. I've attached the help file that ASA provided, in case it helps someone else. Clear skies, Ron SM2A-DeviceManager.pdf

My focuser works great with the OK3 software, Maxim and FocusMax; no problems at all except this: The focuser won't connect properly the first time I try to reconnect after disconnecting. For example, after a night of imaging, I shut everything down. The next night I have to start OK3, close it and start it again to get it to connect correctly. Has anyone seen this? Any suggestions? The problem occurs on two different installations of my software (two different laptops). It occurs whether I start OK3 software manually or let FocusMax or Maxim start it. Win7 64-bit. Thanks for your help and suggestions. Clear skies, Ron