Messier Objects (click on image to view full size)
M1
M3 This beautiful Globular Cluster image was taken with
the 12" and the ST2000XM camera using the AO-7 adaptive optic adapter. The
scope drive motors work just fine for visual use but for long image exposure
time, this device uses a motorized 4 axis driven mirror to keep the guide star
centered. This photo is comprised of 15 300 second images. Oh, by the way, there
was a full moon this night! YUK!
M5
Taken with the Meade DSI.
M20
M16
M27
M57
This was fun to take. I set the LX200 12" on M57 using the Meade DSI Pro
camera and set the piggyback guide scope Stellarvue 1010 3" scope with the
Meade DSI second camera onto Vega as a guide star. This was done just as an
experiment and not recommended as the guide scope was very "cocked" in
its mounting rings. The software used was Meade' Autostar Suite. Image
processing was 10 minutes for the L channel, 1 minute for each of the RBG
channels. All processing was done in Maxum DL/CCD. Using the Pro was simple, and
the changing of the color filters was straight forward. Allowance was made for
the scope to settle down after filter changes. Dark frame reduction was
automatic by the DSI software. Nice cameras!