Well got the kit out & dusted off in anticipation of upcoming trip to France. Haven't imaged I think in like close to a year.. :-( Played around with new software - EQMOD & Alignmaster (that Chris mentioned) - All seemed to work well. Got to calibrating guiding & didn't seem to work - spent 2 hrs checking cables etc. & eventually found a method to increase time during calibration to ensure guide star had time to move. Anyway thought as I had made the effort would try a quick image so here it it:
NGC281
ED80 + Atil 314L+ at -10degC
7nm Baader Ha
13 x 600 secs
No Flats, No Darks
Quick simple process.
Overall quite happy with result - wasn't expecting much because of guiding issues - a little noisy but it is Bromley :-( Also backlash on mount is now very large (7.5 secs according to guide calibration software) - will need to sort this out soon.
Thks, John.
(http://jpastronomy.co.uk/graphics/OAS/Pacman-13x600secs.jpg)
Lovely Pacman!
It must be great to be back imaging after so long and that's a very fine result to kick it off. Nice round stars and good detail. Not at all bad for 2 hours. Well done! That Atik is a great little camera.
Like you, I've also got a huge backlash on the NEQ6 I bought - the DEC axis - I need to give that some attention.
I'm out imaging at the moment and carefully watching the approaching rain front - don't want to be caught out ...
Mark
Cheers Mark. Agree Atik is a great camera & also that Baader 7nm is a fine filter.
Let me know what you decide to do regarding backlash... I didn't even know it was clear tonight.... Is this going to be first light for the new obssy...? Forgot to say I captured my image on Wednesday night (I think the same night that Fay got her wonderful m31)...
Anyway, good luck & I look forward to seeing your image...
John.
That looks good to me one I'd be happy with. As for the backlash we can adjust that out when we get to France, its a 1 minute job.
Very nice John well done
Nice to see everything's working well John. Looks very good to.
Cheers Chris, Mick, Robert - thks for comments.. it was good to get out again but took a while to remember 'what was what'.. Chris, I'll take you up on the backlash adjustment but I may leave it until last evening just in case I screw mount up. Although backlash (according to Guidemaster) is like 7 secs judging by the Pacman I took guiding still seems to be acceptable (OK not perfect but could be worse..) Gonna try Pulse guiding next time out..
John
It's a lovely image John.
Cheers Dunc - appreciate comment.. John
John thats fantastic, bet you r well pleased. i have only just seen it. must get some new glasses!!!!!!!!
Thanks Fay - I was pleasantly surprised as was first image in near on one year.. anyway all practice for France - looking forward to the dark skies...