Recent Posts

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Astrophotography / Re: Hercules Galaxy Cluster - Abell 2151, 2019-04-12 03:30CET Manche, France

« Last post by The Thing on Yesterday at 13:42:26 »

Yes, the developer did some fixes and tweaks - he claims it is finished so hes not working on it except when necessary. I think the issue with ST is you need to think differently to using 'standard' methods of post-processing, for instance separating the stars and galaxies using a module called Heal to blot out the stars is not obvious!

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Astrophotography / Re: Hercules Galaxy Cluster - Abell 2151, 2019-04-12 03:30CET Manche, France

« Last post by RobertM on Yesterday at 12:59:54 »

That should be called the Life and Death module !   I would agree Startools is much simpler (in theory) but one of the PI strengths (and weaknesses is the fine degree of control.  I remember ST went quiet a while back; has the developer started working on  it again ?

Robert

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Astrophotography / Re: Hercules Galaxy Cluster - Abell 2151, 2019-04-12 03:30CET Manche, France

« Last post by The Thing on Apr 18, 2019, 16:37:29 »

Thanks Robert, I put a bit too much contrast into the extracted stars image and so blackened the background too much, and the Star Tools life module enhanced the galaxy halos on the other half of the image so a double whammy. But at least I learnt how to do the separation - much easier than PI.

Wish I had dark skies like that

Robert

That makes me think of you that time you visited (2014!). We were hoping for a break in the clouds as the dew made every thing soaking wet! You saw how dark the skies are for only 30 mins or so It's much more civilised here now, no mud, puddles and builders stuff to trip over in the dark

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In the Media... / Re: Intelsat 29e hit by something

« Last post by MarkS on Apr 18, 2019, 11:22:54 »

That’s very impressive satellite tracking !

It's a geostationary satellite

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Announcements, Meetings, Events / R S Summer Science exhibition - Free - 1-7 July

« Last post by Roy on Apr 18, 2019, 10:16:27 »

Roy and I go to this every year, Delphine joined us last year. In case anyone else interested check out the web site below. Let us know if you would like to come as an OAS group. Roy and I tend to go mid week as quieter. But a late night (and no kids) on Tuesday 2nd July if you work in London.

https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2019/summer-science-exhibition/visitor-information/?utm_campaign=6421&utm_source=adestra&utm_medium=email

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In the Media... / Re: Intelsat 29e hit by something

« Last post by RobertM on Apr 17, 2019, 21:48:17 »

That’s very impressive satellite tracking !

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Astrophotography / Re: Hercules Galaxy Cluster - Abell 2151, 2019-04-12 03:30CET Manche, France

« Last post by RobertM on Apr 17, 2019, 21:36:21 »

Hi Duncan,

I agree with john, the background is black and that’s produced the haloes around all those nice little galaxies.  Other than that a very nice result.

Wish I had dark skies like that

Robert

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Astrophotography / Re: Hercules Galaxy Cluster - Abell 2151, 2019-04-12 03:30CET Manche, France

« Last post by The Thing on Apr 16, 2019, 21:52:40 »

It's pretty amazing, a target I stumbled across a couple of months ago. I'm going to have another go when the next New Moon comes along. Of course tonight the sky is completely clear but the Moon is a floodlight above me so completely unsuitable for hundreds of faint galaxies.

I have just cleaned the mirror and recollimated so I want to test my efforts which is why I'm down the garden. Looking very good so far. But the cable for the focuser motor is bust. Win some lose some.

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Astrophotography / Re: Hercules Galaxy Cluster - Abell 2151, 2019-04-12 03:30CET Manche, France

« Last post by Carole on Apr 16, 2019, 20:45:58 »

My word, there are loads of them.  Have you tried counting them?

Carole

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In the Media... / Re: PRIVATE MOON LANDING TODAY

« Last post by Rick on Apr 15, 2019, 23:23:35 »

Seems its guidance system reset during descent...

More: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-47914100