Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Canes Venatici (CVn)  ·  Contains:  M 106  ·  NGC 4217  ·  NGC 4220  ·  NGC 4248  ·  NGC 4258  ·  NGC 4346
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M106 first light AT80EDT, TStew
M106 first light AT80EDT
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M106 first light AT80EDT

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
M106 first light AT80EDT, TStew
M106 first light AT80EDT
Powered byPixInsight

M106 first light AT80EDT

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Description

First light for the Astro-Tech 80EDT as well as SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5 
I got this scope to replace my similar spec camera lens, Canon 400mm f5.6L I chose a target in season that I also shot with the Canon last year. Honestly the results were very close, the only real advantage I see with the new scope is that the stars are perfectly round and with my Canon I always had a slight diffraction spike - lolipop handle on one side. I am sure an aperture mask would clean up the Canon however. The AT80 gives me the ability to use autofocus with ASIair as well as 2" filters  so that will be nice shooting nebula. I wanted to keep the replacement light enough for my SkyGuider (11 lbs rating) since I still use that with the lens but the Astro Tech weighs in almost that much with heavy EAF and TS 1X flattener hanging off the back. So jury is still out about its performance on the little tracker. The AZ-EQ5 handled it well, especially considering the DEC was pretty unbalanced. With the included mounting bar slid all the way it was considerably tail heavy. I will have to mount a longer bar and arrange it so the focuser doesn't hit the saddle when slid more fore. Thing is I find I don't want to part with my Canon 400mm anyway... its such a great lighter bird lens. Hmm.

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M106 first light AT80EDT, TStew