Second Light with new toys

[Mike]

OK, I had another go last night for about 4 hours and imaged all kinds of things. Some were binned because they were too small or needed longer exposures. The images below were typically 15 x 15 seconds integrations (x3 for RGB colour). No darks or flats. I need to learn the drift method of polar alignment and to focus better to stop getting bloated stars. Seeing 6/10 Transparency 5/10 - the odd whispy cloud was floating about.



M13


Click this link for the full size image - http://amateur-astronomy.org/images/M13.jpg

M51 (10 x 15s)


NGC 5866 (binned 3x3)


Click this link for the full size image http://amateur-astronomy.org/images/NGC5866.jpg

NGC 7479


IC5070 - Pelican Nebulae in Hydrogen Alpha (Binned 4x4) (Not sure what that worm thingy is)


M57 - Ring Nebulae


Click this link for the full size image http://amateur-astronomy.org/images/M57.jpg

M27 - Dumbell Nebulae


Click this link for the full size image http://amateur-astronomy.org/images/M27.jpg

I've still a lot to learn, but im quite pleased with these so far.

[Whitters]

You have been busy, Very nice images.

[Whitters]

How are you processing the color images? They are coming out realy nicely for such short exposures.

[Whitters]

I want to have a go at the drift method, if we get some clear sky at DSC we can have a go.

[Mike]

I am simply using the pre-processing function in Astroart 3.0 to average the R, G and B channels and use a reference star on the first image of the set as the alignment star. I adjust the histogram to get a dark sky with plenty of detail. Then I align them against each other, then use the Trichromery function to combine into a colour image. Then I adjust the colour channels to make it look 'right'. I haven't got round to playing with the filters yet. I'm quite surprised how good they are for such short exposures too. I was doing 15 x 15 seconds for most of the images, unless I was 'binning' then then I increased to 20 or 30 seconds. I'm well impressed with the camera and also the GoTo on the mount which puts anything I ask in the frame first time.

I found a nice page on the intranet that explains the drift method with nice piccies and it sounds easy enough so we will give it a go at DSC.

[Rocket Pooch]

wow mike, thats great.

[Rocket Pooch]

thought you got it

[Rocket Pooch]

btw the worm is the PE of your mount, its cause either by a hot pixel or some dust on the ccd.

[Mike]

If it was a hot pixel, surely it would dissapear in the averaging function?

[JohnP]

Hi Mike,

That's tremendous for your first attempt. Your wide field M27 & 57 are great - are they both without filters etc? I've been playing around with 57 the last few nights out & they are crap. Looks like you are getting some brilliant results - can't wait for more....

John

[Mike]

Thanks John,

I'm using an Astronomik II LRGB set for the images. And an Astronomik Ha filter for the Pelican Nebulae test shot.

[Mike]

Just realised on the NGC5866 image, if you view the full frame, you can also see NGC5870, NGC5862 and NGC5867.