My Starry Night - Images from the Dark Side

Hello, my name is Alan Patterson, of Howell Michigan. Welcome to the Site.

This is a collection of images that I have captured over the years, with the first image being that of M27 in the Nebula Section of this site, and dated 04Dec2007. Technically, this start date is not totally correct, as I did run a Camera on several nights in October of that same year. But I feel that the M27 session was my first session that I had some basic knowledge of what I was supposed to be doing, along with the correct Equipment to help allow a image to happen.

I am sure that you will have no problem picking out this image. Ouch!!! But it was a start... how ever humble as it is.

I am a Mechanical Engineer by trade, that had too many Hobbies, including fishing, for Astrophotography to fit in. Combining fishing with Astronomy means that there would be no time left in the day for sleep,

So when I lost interest in fishing, late in the Fall of 2007, I allowed myself to finally unwrap the Gift of Astronomy. I purchased a Celestron C8 SCT with a CG5 GoTo mount and some Nagler Eyepieces. After about two months, I accepted that I was not into averted vision, with only puffs of smoke to view in the night skies.

So I purchased a Meade DSI IIC CCD Camera and fumbled my way into AstroPhotography. While I struggle with the Artistry aspects and with the learning curves of all the piles of Software required, I really enjoy the Equipment challenges presented by this Hobby.

And it helps me to see how small and insignificant the World and all of it's struggles really are. If something can keep all of this huge array of stuff working, our problems are a smiple little task...

I don't know how one can witness and reflect on the vastness of Space, without developing some sense of faith and the power of the One Who Stirs The Stars. AlanP

Last Update - on 25July2016, added some Image reprocessed for an Art Show and some Cottage [Dark site] images from July2016.
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Art Ventures in Brighton MI offers a selection of my Astro matted Prints, ready for framing. They do a excellent job of creating wonderful Framed images.

As these prints are run in volume to hold down costs, I am now offering prints for sale through the Site also.

So for those of you with either questions or interest in a quote for prints, please send an Email to:

alanpatterson[at]asichuck[dot]com

Of course, please replace with @ and . as needed to send the Email. [Hopefully this minor security step will keep Spam down.] Thanks, AlanP

I admit that I don't have much interest in visual observing. The Cottage does has a set of Oberwerk Binoviewers for some dabbling.

This Scope got me started in AP. A friend showed us Huptier with four Moons. Wow! So after a short run in visual, on went CCD Cameras.

This is a really tight fit. TS-Optics 9mm thick OAG and Starizona Filter Drawer. This allows the Honders to come to focus with and without the Ha Filter.

Officina Stellare Riccardi Honders. 200mm FL at f/3 FR yields 600mm FL. A Mono Apogee Alta U8300M and OSC FLI ML-8300C will rotate through for imaging. This Scope has yet to have first light. And the clouds hang in...

AT10RC with AP .75x FR for 1650 mm FL at f/6.6. FIrst Light was OSC subframes used in the M33 Mosaic A SBig STL-4020M and SBig ST-4000 XCM OSC will be swapped on this Scope for imaging. As with the O/S RH, it is waiting on the clouds to move out.

2013 2-Scope Pack Mount_1.jpg

The left hand is the static mounting for the AT10RC and the right side received a ADM Aiming Device for Mounting the Officina Stellare Veloce RH.

TMB92_Install1.jpg

Mono SBig ST-4000XM on AT8RC and 2-axis adjustment OSC SBig ST-4000XCM on AT8RC with SBig AO-8. Mono and OSC TMB92SS Scopes, both with Orion SteadyStar AO. Mono is an Apogee Alt U8300M, and OSC is a FLI ML-8300C.

The AP1200 carries four Refractors. The Main TMB130SS with manual Filter Wheel, TS Optics Field Flattener and Mono SBig ST-4K, does all of the Guiding work. The Aries127 fluorite has SV Field Flattener and OSC Sbig ST-4K with AO-8. I can collect Luminance and RGB Data simultaneously at ~910mm Focal Lenght and at 40-minute+ durtation.

The TMB92SS at the right has Field Flattener and Manual Filter Wheel, Orion SteadyStar AO and Mono Apogee Alta U8300 Camera. The other piggyback Scope is a TMB92SS with field flattener, Orion SteadyStar AO and OSC FLI 8300C Camera.

The TMB92 run at about ~510mm Folcal Length and are also capable of 40-minute duration subframes.

Additionally, the Mono TMB130SS/Sbig ST-4K and TMB92SS/Apogee Alta can be run with Ha Filters, for capturing ~910mm and 510mm Narrowband inages simultaneously. A handy ability, as there a more Moon present nights per Month than dark nights... AlanP

This is my Avatar, used at Astronomy Forum. You are welcome to reach me through Emails to that Forum. There is some information on me at the Site also, although it is well covered here.

This Site, MyStarryNight.INF, is a work in progress.

I will continue work through the Site, adding text information for the images posted, including date, Equipment, quantity and duration of subframes and RA and Dec values... It is a bit of keyboard work, so some time will be needed to complete the task :-) Hopefully you will find something to enjoy here on this Site... AlanP

My wife and I own and operate ASI Workholding, an Engineering Group that design, maufacturers and support special High Speed Pullbak style clamping Lathe Chucks. This background in Engineering design and Project Management, helps support Tooling and Hardware requirements for the Astrophotography Hobby.

A Project during my CGE time. The threaded Stainless Steel section allowed for easy balance adjustment, usning and inexpensive barbell wieght and eliminated smashed fingers. I replaced the Toe Saver with a Counterweight.

A image of the threaded SS Parts installed, prior to C'Wgt installation.

A early image of my dual Mounting for the 5" Refractors.

This Converter Foot allows Antares styp parts to mount on Vixen Quick mount Feet. Please be aware that there is allot of variation in the v shape of Vendor's Vixen style bases, so some filing of grinding can be required at times.

These Converter Feet are available direct through me, or through Jim Henson at ScopeStuff.

The Converter Foot.

A another small ongoing Project. I purchased some Meade DSI Pro CCD Cameras and Adjustable Finder Scopes. I have produced an Adapter that allows the combination of Parts to be recycled as Guiding Scopes. Eventually I will get around to listing these on CN or AMart.

Dual Mount Plate sold through Jim henson at ScopeStuff.

Note the Starlight Xpress dual speed focuser adapted for this C5 SCT. The scope is a keeper and will find imaging service eventually at the Cottage

A filler Project to make a Guider/Imager from a EXT60. This Scope has sold.

Modded SVR70EDs.jpg

Working with Wayne at SI, I modded these two SVR70EDs for 2" FT focusers. Worked really well, but replaced by TMB92SS. More aperture and faster FR. Duh! FT with Adapter costs more than the Refractor. Still, these are probably the only Scopes in this Optic size to receive this awesome Focuser upgrade. Both Scopes have been sold.