What Rick's been up to...

[ricksastro]

Hey guys...

I'll start out by apologizing for not being around here as much as I'd like...I've been stretching myself a little thin.  I thought I'd try to catch up with what I've been up to.

I'm pretty excited about my current setup.  I've been having more fun than a man should.  I bought a modified 10" f/5 Newtonian from DBA Astronomy which has incredible optics and a few optimizations for Astrophotography.  I tell you,  this thing rocks!!!  I use a Baader MPCC coma corrector with it, and I get a super flat field eve with the Rebel XT!

I'm using a Tak NJP, and it's a superb mount....the best I've owned.  With the polar scope alignment only, I can do 2 minute unguided images pretty easily.

Still using the SX SXV-H9 and the Hutech modded Canon XT.

Here's a pic of my setup:
http://www.ricksastro.com/Equipment.htm

For a while, I played with a homemade 12.5" f/4.5 I bought off of Astromart.  While it was quite nice, it was a bit much to handle and had a lot of flex.

Anyway, you can take a look at my DSO page.  The top line-and-a-half are images taken with the 10" Newt in tha last month.  All the details and full res are there.
http://www.ricksastro.com/DSOs/Date.shtml

Below is a summary of them, including a couple taken with the Rebel (M13 & wide field M51)

Rick

[lindendave]

Gee, I guess you have been busy! As usual, even better, your images are fantastic Rick!

I don't think you'll ever keep a setup long enough to name it! 

[Ron]

Rick,

Welcome Back

I don't know if that's appropriate or not, you haven't been that far away with an occasional visit

Nice to see you back in here anyway and hope you come around more often, we need your expert advice and encouragement.

Those images are inspiring as always.

Thanks for sharing,

Ron

[qcdougn]

Rick,
Awesome pictures...What a setup!  I can see why you're having so much fun....
Doug

[dsnay]

Riiicckkk!!

I was just wondering what you'd been up to. Now I see.
Holy Mackeral, what beautiful images you have there!

Glad to see you back and I hope you're not stretched so thin you disappear again soon.

Dave

[Jake]

Nice shots Rick - glad to see you've been keeping busy!

My observing buddy has one of those DBA 10"ers with the refigured mirror and it is a real champ
of a scope!  What else did you have done to yours?

Sigh... Tak NJP - maybe someday! 

[ricksastro]

My observing buddy has one of those DBA 10"ers with the refigured mirror and it is a real champ
of a scope!  What else did you have done to yours?

Not a whole lot...The moonlight focuser without a spacer gave me enough backfocus.  I put some parallax rings on it and a dovetail...works great!

Rick