Celestron C8 Hyperstar - First light report

[Chris P.]

Hi everyone

 

Here's my first light images and initial thoughts using my Celestron C8 Hyperstar. For the purposes of the report, I am using a ZWO ASI 178 MC Cool camera, Baader Neodymium Moon and Skyglow Filter threaded onto the Hyperstar unit. All images captured were 2 min exposures using APT and Unity Gain setting on the ASCOM driver. Camera was cooled to 0 degrees C.

 

Setup

I have the luxury of time being on holiday from work so spent Monday morning setting up the rig and testing the camera through the Hyperstar on some passing clouds etc. We did get some clear breaks in the clouds so I took the opportunity to shoot some flat frames against a neutral sky? Observation #1 - you can't use the t-shirt method for flats because of the camera position so, following the guidance on Starizona's website, shoot these against a neutral sky. Balancing the scope with the Hyperstar on it was surprisingly easy. There is enough weight in the rear cell of the SCT to counteract the camera and Hyperstar on the front. I left my focal reducer and diagonal on for good measure but these are completely redundant. Once night fell I completed the setup with a polar alignment and star alignment using Sharpcap for alignment and initial focus and the finderscope on the OTA for visual reference. Job done.

 

Pick a target

I wanted to give this a good test without a daunting challenge of the faintenst thing in the sky so I plumped for NGC 7000 - Cygnus Wall. After a bit of faff with APT I managed to get the framing I wanted. Observation #2 - the live function in APT and the Hyperstar really do help because you can get some good snapshot images visible straightaway. Observation #3 - you need the touch of an angel on the primary focuser to get this right. It's so critical at f2! Guess I'll be asking Santa for a feathertouch focuser!! Once in position I set PHD up and off we went. 60x2 min subs please.

 

First image

OK - so I'm a kid with a new toy. The first few subs that came back looked really good so I grabbed 8mins worth and did a mini stack in DSS, no calibration frames - just lights. A quick process in PS CC and here's the first image out of the can. OK, it's a bit ropey (satellite trails, gradients, ampglow, noise - you name it) but it looked good for 8 mins worth.

 

 

I carried on and finished the 2 hrs and then turned the scope onto M33 - Triangulum Galaxy. By now it was 1:45am so I figured I'd grab 30 mins, again to test the speed of this thing. 30 mins later my eyelids were drooping so I warmed the camera up, pulled the roof over and went to bed.

 

Final results

After some well-earned kip I set about shooting some darks and started to process the 2 images in Pixinsight. Here's the results. 2hrs integration on NGC7000 - Cygnus Wall

 

30 mins total integration on M33 - The Triangulum Galaxy. Quite chuffed with this one - took me more time in processing to extract the detail but it was worth it. Not bad for 30 mins - this would normally take 3-4 hrs with my DSLR

 

 

Final thoughts - I guess it's like everything in this hobby. You need time to practice and every change of kit, no matter how small brings it's own challenges. I'd welcome some feedback but for now I'm happy where this is taking me

 

Cheers

 

Chris

[+RonC]

Looking good Chris, I really like M33 it can be a PITA to process!! Well done so far and the journey has only just started! ?

[+Bino-viewer]

Very impressive results Chris for a maiden outing.

Your M33 is excellent : I'd be well chuffed with that.

 

A result like that after 30min shows how compelling F2 Hyperstar imaging is.

[Tweedledee]

Very nice. NAN looks great for just 8 minutes. Your M33 really looks superb and has brought out son much detailed structure. ?

[BAZ]

It looks like you are going to be a bit busy with your new hyperstar, it's got a lot of potential, your quick grabs look great.

[+Graham]

That's very impressive. 

 

[philjay]

I always fancied hyperstar for my old c11 but never sorted it. Looking good there Chrus