While searching for an advanced and modern mount, I came across the 10Micron GM1000 at the Baader Planetarium booth during the ATT 2024 astronomy fair. Until then, I had never seen the mount in person, but in the relevant forums, mounts from the Italian manufacturer 10Micron were always highly praised for their precision and ease of use.
My new mount had to feature precise tracking on both axes and be equipped with absolute encoders. I wanted to avoid using third-party software for autoguiding and a separate autoguider, along with the potential issues that come with them. A high level of automation for all functions and control via ASCOM was also a key requirement. Before moving to Hamburg, I operated a small observatory near Lüneburg, equipped with an Astro-Physics AP1200 mount and various telescopes. The AP1200 was nearly perfect in terms of mechanical engineering, combined with excellent tracking accuracy and ease of use, so I was already familiar with the quality of high-end models. Initially, I saw no way to practice astrophotography in Hamburg, but I later realized that it might be possible after all. That realization came a few years ago, and since then, I have been gradually rebuilding my equipment from scratch.
In addition to classic deep-sky astrophotography, I focus on searching for undiscovered galactic emission nebulae, such as planetary nebulae or Herbig-Haro objects. Therefore, I was also looking for a highly light-sensitive astrograph. After consulting with Mr. Risch from the Baader Planetarium team, just two weeks later, the 10Micron GM1000 mount and a RASA 8" Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph were permanently installed on the pier in my garden observatory.
I'm not a fan of reading brochures, so I only skimmed through the included 10Micron manual rather than examining every detail. My focus was less on using the hand controller, which is well described in the manual, and more on remote operation from my house to the garden via PC or laptop. The GM1000’s clearly structured manual contained all the relevant functions I needed, described in an understandable way. For autofocus, I installed a focus motor on the Celestron RASA 8, which, like the GM1000 mount, can be controlled via ASCOM. For the dew shield, I opted for the Celestron Aluminium dew shield, which features a cover to protect the telescope's aperture from dust.
As my control software, I chose NINA, which has become the standard for integrating and automating connected devices and settings. The GM1000, as a High Precision System (HPS), achieves its extraordinary tracking accuracy with its high-resolution encoders in RA and DEC only if the underlying star model is accurately configured. NINA offers a free and intuitive plugin called 10Micron Tools, which is also compatible with other 10Micron models and is designed to significantly simplify the creation of a star model. I am curious to see how well it works.
Here in Hamburg, I am not blessed with an unobstructed view of the sky—quite the opposite. The star model is crucial for operating the mount without an autoguider and ideally should include stars from the entire sky. Trees and rooftops severely limit my view, making the creation of a star model seem like a challenge at first. However, I was mistaken! NINA, in combination with the 10Micron plugin, handles this task cleverly: it considers the previously entered horizon data, ensuring that only stars that are actually accessible are used for the model. It makes perfect sense, really. In short, the model creation process, in which the stars were automatically aligned one by one, was completed in less than five minutes. Each position was automatically measured and then verified using plate-solving.
When I first used the Celestron RASA 8 with the 10Micron GM1000, large galactic nebulae were out of reach due to trees and rooftops. However, the Whirlpool Galaxy M51 was near the zenith and therefore well within reach. Normally, small galaxies are not considered ideal targets for the RASA, but I was pleasantly surprised. The high optical quality of the system provides excellent resolution, even for small objects like galaxies. The 8" aperture offers ideal conditions, as demonstrated by my M51 image, captured with just three hours of exposure time.
To fully exploit the strengths of the RASA 8, the optics must be well collimated. Occasionally, forum discussions mention suboptimal star images. With a properly adjusted telescope, incorrect spacing or a suboptimal camera cable setup could be the culprit. The RASA 8 is also sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which can lead to focus shifts. However, with a precise focus motor that automatically refocuses, this characteristic of fast telescopes is no longer an issue. The built-in fan unit also helps stabilize temperature adjustments more quickly, reducing focus shifts.
The Celestron RASA 8 is a powerful and fast telescope for deep-sky photography. It is particularly well suited for wide-field nebulae but also delivers excellent results for smaller objects like galaxies. Anyone who values short exposure times and well-exposed, detailed images will greatly enjoy this astrograph.
In summary, the 10Micron GM1000, with its precision and ease of use, combined with the Celestron RASA 8, provides the ideal tools for high-level astrophotography. Despite short exposure times, I achieve well-exposed, detailed images. During my search for unknown compact emission nebulae, I recently made a discovery in the Gemini constellation using my new equipment. As of February 2025, the registration process is still ongoing. This exciting story will have a continuation.
The Rosette Nebula in stunning detail: Celestron RASA 8 (400 mm, f/2) with ASI183MCpro color camera. The precise tracking was provided by a 10Micron GM1000 mount, while an IDAS dual-band filter enhanced the H-alpha and [OIII] emission lines. The total exposure time was 3 hours, processed with PixInsight – captured in Hamburg.
Peter Bresseler
