NGC281 - First in a while...

[JohnP]

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.

[MarkS]

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

[JohnP]

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.

[Rocket Pooch]

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.

[mickw]

Very nice John well done

[RobertM]

Nice to see everything's working well John. Looks very good to.

[JohnP]

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

[The Thing]

It's a lovely image John.

[JohnP]

Cheers Dunc - appreciate comment.. John

[Fay]

John thats fantastic, bet you r well pleased. i have only just seen it. must get some new glasses!!!!!!!!

[JohnP]

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...