Forecast for clear skies, new software, what could possibly go wrong............................
Started at about 8:30 going through the motions of polar alignment using EQMod (I kept forgetting things and doing them in the wrong order :!)
Finally got set up and ready to rock at about 9:30 and fire up APT.
I can't get my head round the way it's supposed to work, even getting a viewable preview is an ordeal, patchy clouds didn't help either. It definitely seems like it's designed for the Live View fraternity - I persevered for 4 f'in hours, I will not persevere again.
1:30, fire up Nebulosity and change settings to convert weird files on the fly, had a hunt around and M101 was just above the trees (on the up this time)
A few practice shots and all seemed to be doing the right thing so set up for 15x8 min subs. After 4 the clouds rolled in, so I decided to get the darks etc out of the way and start again after the cleared. Darks - Done, Bias - Done, Flats - Squeak - WTF the camera rubbed on the mount - Didn't realise the significance of this until today :-?
Anyway, here's the result - M101 - 4x480 (not enough or long enough), complete with a rabbit farm - The guiding looks good though despite this being a crop
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_VTfcx7bG__M/TbArN-0XtrI/AAAAAAAABUQ/c5VE-p3nu6Q/M101_4x480_800_200411-cropv1_s.jpg)
In future, I will do flats Before darks and bias :cry:
Mick, you are funny!!!!!
An epic indeed, at least you re persevering. The result looks extremely promising, regarding guiding etc, so don't loose heart
Oh dear Mick, I remember a few nights like that.
As you are using APT I assume you are using a DSLR. Have you tried Canon Utility, I find that dead simple to use, although I do have live view which helps a bit with focus and alignment?
Well you got your target and your guiding worked well. I have found it is 2 steps forward and 1 step back but patience and perseverence is the name of the game.
Keep at it.
Carole
The main thing is really to get consistent guiding, although to stay up until 3:30 without getting a decent image is not much fun :-?
I also now know that 4x8 mins (pity about the clouds) isn't long enough for M101 but I should be able to guide much longer.
The Canon Utility only allows 30 second exposures on the 400D even with LX adapter
Stars look nice and round Mick.
I am sure with a bit of stretching you could bring out a lot more detail in that image at the expense of noise.
M101 is very feint.
Cheers Mike, despite PHD graph looking a bit flakey, it did a good job, not sure about the stretching though, m101 was barely visible in the subs - that should have been a warning to be from the start. Still it looks like another clear night tonight so I might get some good data :) - if I can stay awake :(
QuoteThe Canon Utility only allows 30 second exposures on the 400D even with LX adapter
That's a bummer Mick.
carole
What I mean Mick, is that M101 is a feint galaxy to get, not that your one is feint!
Sorry Fay, I guessed that...........
My one is rubbish, not faint :D
Actually it's faint and rubbish :lol:
Quote from: mickw on Apr 21, 2011, 18:25:47
Actually it's faint and rubbish :lol:
Bloody better than mine. :cry:
Tony G
Actually Tony, yours is better than mine because yours is neither faint nor rubbish ;)
Mick,
May DSC I'll give you an APT lesson. It's very simple! I think you think it's Nebulosity or Maxim :roll:.
It's not rubbish, Mick, just not long enough exposures & not enough
Thanks Duncan, it really is doing my head in.
Thanks Fay, I suppose a compromise then - "not very good result" ;)
Mick,
There's no need for exposures longer than 5 min with a DSLR unless you are cooliong it and are using a very narrowband filter.
Mark
You may complain about it Mick but all the bits are starting to come together now. Guiding is one big problem area overcome, calibration is something you'll have to make a habit.
Robert
QuoteMay DSC I'll give you an APT lesson. It's very simple! I think you think it's Nebulosity or Maxim
May I look in on this as well, I have not got around to doing anything with it yet as with my other problems it was just easier to use the software I already knew.
Thanks
Carole
QuoteThere's no need for exposures longer than 5 min with a DSLR
I've assumed that you at least need to get a more than faint image on each sub to have something to work with once stacked
So I should just get loads of them ? I presume more than an hours worth, perhaps 2 ?
I've just set up a 12 minute image in neb. it will be interesting how the guiding holds up.
That worked well, even got round(ish) stars, pity M101 was nowhere in sight :( Tracking seems to have gone to pot, then EQDir crashed along with PHD so had to reboot and realign everything.
Time to start again :-?
Quote from: mickw
So I should just get loads of them ? I presume more than an hours worth, perhaps 2 ?
Exactly - loads of them. A couple of hours worth at least.
QuoteThere's no need for exposures longer than 5 min with a DSLR
Mark would that be "in general" or specifically on the Tak
My Burgess at f6.6 would be about 4 stops slower than the Tak
Mick,
It still applies at F6.6
No need to go beyond 5min.
Mark