M31 Andromeda galaxy 2-7-11 Rother Valley

[Carole]

This is a preliminary process (not happy with the core or even the smaller galaxy) so will have another go at this.  Also as you can see the orientation could have been better.  (N.B. have rotated 90 degrees and cropped the top and bottom)
Excuses are:
Had the wrong scope on as I had originally planned to do M81/M82, but the sky was too bright for this and so ended up doing the Witch's Broom, then later saw Andromeda rising and couldn't resist.  Could have swivelled the camera but not experienced in doing this yet and flats were already done - and it was about 1.30am and it was a bonus image anyway....

12 x 5mins and 12 x 30sec 800 ISO (perhaps I should have reduced the ISO on the 30 sec ones)
Modified Canon 450D no filters
ED120, guided with PHD and QHY5 on NEQ6
DSS and PS CS3

Needs at least another hour on this, but will re-do it with the correct scope on next time, might be able to merge some of the data.  

[MarkS]

That's really not a bad attempt.  The dust lanes are showing up well.  The core of the Andromeda galaxy is very difficult to get right because it is so much brighter than the main body of the galaxy.

As for total integration time, even 10 hours is not enough to do the Andromeda galaxy really well.

My main criticism is that the image lacks colour - I'm not sure why that should be.

You've done a great experiment here - now it's worth returning to it and doing it properly! 

Mark

[PhilB]

There's some nice detail here. Would make a nice project if you're up for it. After all, this target will become more accessible over the coming months.

[Carole]

My main criticism is that the image lacks colour - I'm not sure why that should be.

It did have some colour Mark, but it was a horrible yellowy brown and no brightness, it's my fault for trying to brighten it up, I'll look into this when I do a re-process.  Also the core was very red (probably due to the Mod and had a job to tone that down as well. 

Thanks Phil.

Carole

[Mike]

Looks like a good start. Should be good once you get more data.

[RobertM]

Yes, I agree a good start but needs a lot more data.

[Carole]

Thanks Mike and Robert.  Yes, this was really tacked on to the end of the evening, just to see how it would come out as it's about 9 months since I did it last.

Carole

[The Thing]

Very nice Carole. Much better that any attempt I have made at this target.

Presumably you have cropped this - it's not the standard proportions.

[Carole]

Presumably you have cropped this - it's not the standard proportions.

Thanks Duncan, yes,  see my quote from the first post.

(N.B. have rotated 90 degrees and cropped the top and bottom)

It was sideways on in the FOV (vertically) and would have looked a bit stupid if I had posted the full frame. 

Carole

[mickw]

Certainly got some nice detail in there

[Carole]

Thanks Mick

[Carole]

Apparently I have captured a Nova in this image.  This has been marked for me by a kind soul on another forum.
As it's so tiny, I'm not going to get too excited about it, but just thought I'd report back.  

[Mac]

Just a thought as you have done the mod, why dont you do a custom white balance using the flash and a white sheet of paper, 
that should get rid of the colour cast produced,

Then it might be easier to process the images at a later date.

Mac.

[mickw]

Is that it ?
Bit small innit ?

S/N in 51, Nova in 31 will you still talk to us mere mortals  

[Mac]

I think Caroles been taking lesons from Mr Luck himself.

You wait, next week there will be a new comet, called Carole 1-2011 announced and a supernova discovery in the Milky way,
all in the same image.



Mac.