Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Astrophotography => Topic started by: Jim on Feb 20, 2012, 12:45:31

Title: First Light - Les Granges
Post by: Jim on Feb 20, 2012, 12:45:31
Well thought I'd post my first image. Did this Sat night, TEK 140, EM200, my QSI. 22 x 10min subs. There is a funny gradient which I cannot identify but I'm thrilled with the detail. Probably my processing. I did a further 4 hours last night of colour and had just finished the red channel at 3pm when I realised the scope had done a meridian flip on startup and the image was reversed and missing one of the galaxies! Duh!! I should have stayed off the whisky. Going to try the Ioptron with a 102ED Altair tonight.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6909252685_081f30a7fa_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21876521@N03/6909252685/)
M66 - Leo Triplet (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21876521@N03/6909252685/) by jim_mehta (http://www.flickr.com/people/21876521@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: First Light - Les Granges
Post by: JohnP on Feb 20, 2012, 12:55:24
kin' hell Jim that is unbelievable - didn't know you had a QSI - so much detail in the galaxies - fantastic.  John
Title: Re: First Light - Les Granges
Post by: Jim on Feb 20, 2012, 13:27:30
Thanks John, yes I've had the QSI 2 years now but have always struggled to guide with the Vixen Sphinx so have never had a chance to use it to it's full potential. I've decided to bit the bullet and get a new mount now as it's not worth wasting anymore effort on the sphinx. It's main problem is that it has no bearings on the Dec shaft, just a close fitting sleeve so at some point in the imaging you always get a shift leaving you with double stars.
Title: Re: First Light - Les Granges
Post by: Mike on Feb 20, 2012, 17:55:57
That is a fantastic image Jim. I can't wait to see the colour version.
Title: Re: First Light - Les Granges
Post by: RobertM on Feb 20, 2012, 19:16:47
That's a great image Jim, you must be well chuffed with that !  Good to see you using the QSI in anger again as well.  What a difference a dark sky makes.  The colour should really bring it alive, just be careful with processing - Chris will give you a few good pointers.

More or less whiskey - tricky question  :lol:
Robert
Title: Re: First Light - Les Granges
Post by: Fay on Feb 20, 2012, 19:40:06
That is super, Jim!!! i can see why you are well pleased

Fay
Title: Re: First Light - Les Granges
Post by: MarkS on Feb 20, 2012, 20:11:48
Jim,

Such a great image.  As you say, the detail is superb.  You've captured some really faint arms on M65.

Needs a bit of colour, though ;-)

Hope you get some clear wind-less nights for the rest of your stay.

Mark
Title: Re: First Light - Les Granges
Post by: julian on Feb 20, 2012, 20:21:11
That's a great image Jim.

Julian
Title: Re: First Light - Les Granges
Post by: Tony G on Feb 20, 2012, 20:23:33
Excellent image Jim, and I'd stay on the whiskey as it seems to be working.  ;)
Keep them coming.

Tony G

PS.............You don't have any lens caps do you??????
Title: Re: First Light - Les Granges
Post by: PhilB on Feb 22, 2012, 06:15:20
That's fantastic, Jim