M45 - The Pleiades

M45 - The Pleiades The Pleiades carry the name "The Seven Sisters Star Cluster"; according to Greek mythology, seven daughters and their parents. Their Japanese name is "Subaru".

Vixen AX103S F/8 refractor w/ 0.7x focal reducer 825 to 578mm (f/5.6); SBIG ST-8300C (1x1 bin, 1200s x 3); Takahashi EM-11 Temma 2M; CCDSoft, MaxIm DL5 and Photoshop CS4, Toledo, OH, Nov 2, 2011

IC 1805

IC1805 - The heart nebula in Cassiopeia


Vixen AX103S F/8 refractor w/ 0.7x focal reducer 825 to 578mm (f/5.6); SBIG ST-8300C (1x1 bin, 1200s x 3); Takahashi EM-11 Temma 2M; CCDSoft, MaxIm DL5 and Photoshop CS4, Toledo, OH, Oct 24, 2011

M31 - Andromeda Galaxy

M31 (NGC 224) - The Andromeda Galaxy w/ satellite galaxies M110 (left) and M32 (right) in Andromeda


Vixen AX103S F/8 refractor w/ 0.7x focal reducer 825 to 578mm (f/5.6); SBIG ST-8300C (1x1 bin, 1200s x 4); Takahashi EM-11 Temma 2M; CCDSoft, MaxIm DL5 and Photoshop CS4, Toledo, OH, Oct 24, 2011

Vixen AX103S

 

This is Vixen AX-103S (f/5.6 with x0.7 focal reducer), 4-inch apochromatic refractor from Vixen. Unlike an achromatic refractor, whose objective consists of two optical elements, it has a three-element objective. The central lens boasts extra-low dispersion (ED) glass designed to reduce chromatic aberration (colors focusing at different points) and improve image contrast. Also, a fourth optical component in included as a field corrector lens positioned toward the rear of the tube.