Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Astrophotography => Topic started by: mickw on Oct 11, 2010, 20:40:57

Title: M31 from DSC
Post by: mickw on Oct 11, 2010, 20:40:57
Not as good as I'd hoped - need longer or a load more subs but as I'm on a roll........................
Burgess 91 600mm f6.6 - Unmodded Canon 350D
20 x 180s exposures @ iso 800 unguided
Lights, Darks, Flats & Bias stacked in DSS
Levels & Curves PS Elements
Saturday night

Urge to guide is getting stronger
 
(http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10049/normal_M31_20x180_800_-test1.jpg)
Title: Re: M31 from DSC
Post by: MarkS on Oct 11, 2010, 20:53:45

Mick,

Which night did you take this? 

This isn't as good as your Pleiades but the Andromeda Galaxy is a surprisingly difficult target to get right.

Anyway, well done - it's great to see you imaging!

Mark
Title: Re: M31 from DSC
Post by: mickw on Oct 11, 2010, 21:12:13
Thanks Mark
This was taken during the fog and drink session on Saturday
Title: Re: M31 from DSC
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Oct 11, 2010, 21:44:26
Well done another good start :-)
Title: Re: M31 from DSC
Post by: Mac on Oct 12, 2010, 00:05:07
excellent.

even got the other two as well m110 & m32

thats very good for unguided as well.

there's now stopping you now
Title: Re: M31 from DSC
Post by: mickw on Oct 23, 2010, 18:20:10
Had a go at reprocessing this - Darks didn't kill amp glow - subs too long for unguided at 3 min.

(http://gallery.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/albums/userpics/10049/normal_M31_20x180-800_PS3.jpg)
Title: Re: M31 from DSC
Post by: The Thing on Oct 23, 2010, 21:44:01
That's looking really good Mick, you're going to have to get the guiding thing started!
Title: Re: M31 from DSC
Post by: MarkS on Oct 23, 2010, 22:09:57

Mick - that's a great reprocess. 
Much better than the first.
The processing will make or break an image and I think you've definitely made the most of your data here.

Don't worry about the prominent amp-glow - the darks don't quite match the lights but it's not a big problem - there are other tricks I know of to use to isolate it and subtract it.

Mark
Title: Re: M31 from DSC
Post by: RobertM on Oct 23, 2010, 22:26:33
That's a good reprocess, yes there are few problems but you can't expect to get everything spot on first time.  It's an iterative process.  Mastering your equipment, calibration and image processing all take time.  The good thing is you've made a great start.  I'm certainly looking forward to your first guided image!

Robert
Title: Re: M31 from DSC
Post by: Mike on Oct 23, 2010, 22:58:01
Much better Mick. The focus is off on the original image so it will never be fantastic, but despite that it's darned good.
Title: Re: M31 from DSC
Post by: Whitters on Oct 26, 2010, 21:49:52
Nice processing Mick,