ETX-70 DeepSky... piggyback imaging... solar system... accessories... webcam

GALAXIES....OPEN+GLOBULARS....PNE+DIFFUSE NEB....QUASARS....NOVA+SNE....VARIABLES....SOLAR+STELLAR SPECTRA

I've acquired the diminutive Meade 70mm aperture f/5 refractor with goto pointing and am enjoying the experience. These images show the amazing stellar penetration and detail possible from such a small telescope aided by sensitive superfast download USB2 Starlight Xpress HX516 and MX916 monochrome CCD cameras. Typically NO FILTERS are used and recently the ETX-70 has been piggybacked on my LX200 for better tracking. These images are a record of my progress over recent months. In Nov 2007 a LP filter tried immediately before the CCD with some improvement if longer exposures.

PLANETARY+DIFFUSE NEBULA: Below are some experimental shots using a homemade focal reducer with lenses from the junkbox immediately before the CCD from a native f/5 to f/4 [x0.83 FR] and f/3 [x0.63 FR] with some corner aberrations. Return early 2008 to f/5 native fl for best scale/resolution!

These following summer shots via ETX-70 in polar mode on the patio with the SX Lodestar uncooled CCD showing good stellar penetration.

Horsehead [B33] nr zeta Orionis; PNe like M27 [many!], M97, M57 and diffuse nebulae like the M42, Veil, North America [NGC 7000] - even a poor Helix way down south in Aqr. In Nov 2007 a LP filter used immediately before CCD with some improvement if via longer exposures.

text & images copyright Maurice Gavin - May 2007