Updated on July 6, 2023 at 12:11 am
M8 (Lagoon Nebula)
- Distance from Earth: 4000 – 6000 light-years
- Imaged on: 5/15/21
- Telescope: Raptor 61 refractor
- Imager: ASI1600MM Pro (Mono)
- Subs: 30 x 120-seconds
- Filter: Optolong Ha, SII, OIII
- Processing: PixInsight, Photoshop, DeNoise AI
First light image from my new Radian Raptor 61 refractor telescope. Not too bad for only one hour of integration time using the Hubble Palette for a really cool false color image. I’ll be adding more data to this as the summer goes along to see how more data improves the image quality.
And because I don’t want anything to be simple, I was also using a ZWO filter wheel, ZWO Off-axis guider and a new guide camera on my first go with this telescope.
I now understand why so many people like refractors, especially when I compare it to my RASA 8 telescope. Since the Raptor 61 is f/4.5 compared to f/2 on the RASA, it’s a bit more forgiving. Because the RASA is so “fast” anything that isn’t exactly right with your setup is apparent.
On a side note, the OAG appears to be auto-guiding much better than when I was using the separate ZWO guide scope. And since I have the Raptor 61 piggy-backed to my RASA, I’ll be using the Raptor to auto-guide for the RASA. Can’t wait to see what differences that makes with my RASA images.
I’ll also be adding a ZWO auto focus unit to this telescope as well. The unit I have on my RASA seems to be performing pretty well so far.
Update: Radian Raptor 61 piggy-backed to the RASA 8.
