Once we powered up all of the hardware, we launched TheSkyX developed by Software Bisque which controls the 16" f3.75 Dream Aerospace Systems astrograph imaging system. After mulling over a few star candidates to slew to, we decided on the bright star Scheat that makes up part of the "Great Square". We took a one-minute exposure that would find the photons of starlight in the image doughnut-shaped due to the telescope being out of focus. We then spent time on focusing the telescope before attempting to image a deep-sky object.
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Screen Shot of TheSkyX while capturing first light of the star Scheat in the constellation Pegasus. |
Once the focus was acceptable enough for a rough image we decided to image NGC 7331, a spiral galaxy in Pegasus. NGC 7331 (also known as Caldwell 30) is a spiral galaxy about 40 million light-years away in the constellation Pegasus. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1784. NGC 7331 is the brightest member of the NGC 7331 the Deer Lick Galaxy Group.
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NGC 7331 (also known as Caldwell 30). 60-second exposure taken with the ATEO 16" Dream Astrograph. Stephan's Quintet group of galaxies can be seen to the lower right of the image. |
We will be continually testing within the next few days using the FLI color filter wheel that is attached to the telescope for creating color images. If all goes well with the final testing, the ATEO will be ready for educational and public use within the next few weeks.
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