Hi everyone,

I wanted to share our latest results from using the our AP1600 with absolute encoders, doing unguided with APCC/APPM model

This is from last night's run, we used 900second (15 minute) unguided exposures of NGC 1097 on CDK17, image scale 0.63"

You can download the fits file here

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oa1eyz27qw7albf/NGC_1097_900sec_1x1_Lum.fit?dl=0

(image was calibrated and background gradient lightly processed, but otherwise unchanged)  

jpg is here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ye1nuro4qayv3hc/NGC_1097_900sec_1x1_Lum.jpg?dl=0

(same processing as above)

Overall I'm pretty happy with these results. We were admonished to use guiding from the start, but we had faith in the AP hardware and the APCC software. 

We rely on APCC and the APPM model builder. The model was approximately 180 points on each side, limiting it to 35 degrees altitude. 

Ray has done some great software improvements based on our results over the past year. We are at a very demanding focal length for unguided @ 2930mm. He has been very responsive and helpful, as have all AP staff we have worked with, including Roland. 

We still have work to do in other parts, and we would like our keeper rate to be higher, but progress, not perfection right? 

--

Brian 

Brian Valente

portfolio brianvalentephotography.com