Pier-21

Telescope & Camera

The Epsilon 180 is a blisteringly fast F2.8 corrected newtonian astrograph that was designed for DSLR cameras, whilst it works very well that way we think the new generation CMOS cooled cameras are a far better combination. At 500mm FL this is the perfect telescope for big nebular and larger galaxies. This is a good scope if you want a lot of quality data fast and don’t want the complexity of mono imaging etc.

The QHY410c Colour CMOS is one of Sony's new generation zero amp-glow sensors. They are super sensitive with very low noise. Making them a paradigm shift from the CCD cameras

We have also fitted it with some modern type Dual/Tri-band filters designed for OSC cameras - see below!

Pier-5 is a very fast F/2.8 when used with a CMOS sensor, the longest exposure needed for this pier is 180 seconds

Recommended sub lengths

Filter	Bright	Dim
OSC	30-60s	60-180s
IDS LPS-D3 RGB	30-60s	60-180s
Antilia triband filter	30-60s	60-180s
HA/O3 DualBand	60-120s	120-180s
S2/O3 DualBand	60-120s	120-180s

Filter Specifications

OSC - Normal colour imaging with the addition of a simple Luminance filter, so scope remains par focal for focusing as well as enhanced IR blocking

IDAS LPS D3 -at dark sky locations this gentle filter this decreases natural sky glow, enhances contrast & increases the C2 signal in comets

Antlia Tri-band - Enhances contract in colour images & increase narrowband regions within objects, not to mention help block out some light pollution from the moon

Askar C Colour Magic Ha/O3 - The filter enables the capture of the two main emission nebulae bands at the same time, all whilst suppressing unwanted light pollution

Askar C Colour Magic S2/O3 - The filter enables you to capture extra blue signal whilst gathering S2 for Hubble palette images

Calibration Files

10s Darks
20s Darks
30s Darks
45s Darks
60s Darks
90s Darks
120s Darks
180s Darks
240s Darks
300s Darks
Bias Frames
Flat Frames

The following calibration files are available as standard with this system. Other darks are available upon request.

Inside the Observatory

Pier Description & Specification

Telescope	Takahashi Epsilon 180
Mount	Avalaon M-Uno
Camera	QHY 410c OSC
Filter Wheel	QHY 5 Position
Filters	See description
Guide Camera	N/A
Guider	N/A
Focuser	ZWO EAF
Power Control	HitecAstro MHP V4