A New M31

[JohnH]

A return to a subject I imaged last winter to see if I improved my technique. [Answer: yes and no]

This is what remained from 440 subframes taken on 8th December (5hrs 40mins) LRGB. I lost about one third of RGB subs because my guide scope was frosting over.

Sharpstar 15028 HNT (150mm diameter, f2.8 )
ZWO ASI1600Pro Mono camera (Gain 139, Temp -15C)
iOptron CEM 25P
ASIAir Pro control for:
ZWO Electronic Autofocus, ZWO Electronic Filterwheel and guiding.

Processed in Pixinsight with a bit of Photoshop for masks and sharpening.

I think imbalance/lack of colour data is responsible for the odd colour lower right. I would have liked Ha data but there was no point trying for 180 sec + subframes with barely any guiding. In any event, I might reprocess when I have some time.

At the moment I am fighting with an image of the Iris Nebula. I have discovered a new way to mess the images: I had a piece of material over the flat panel for the Flat frames to try to reduce its brightness. When I looked at the calibrated frames there are strange patches of light and dark consistently located on all filters. I checked and the material was not pulled completely tight creating areas of unevenness.

Regards to all,

John

[Hugh]

That's nice!

Hugh

[Carole]

That's looking very good John, you seem to have sorted your weird stars shapes out now, well done.
Really great to see you getting outside again.

Carole

[Carole]

At the moment I am fighting with an image of the Iris Nebula. I have discovered a new way to mess the images: I had a piece of material over the flat panel for the Flat frames to try to reduce its brightness. When I looked at the calibrated frames there are strange patches of light and dark consistently located on all filters. I checked and the material was not pulled completely tight creating areas of unevenness.

We should start a list of stupid or erroneous things we have done, it would make excellent and hilarious reading. 
I myself made a stupid error last night one I have never done before - After owing a SkyPOD Observatory for 12 years I went to open the dome last night and it would not budge.  I presumed it was iced up, and rather than damage the gasket, decided I needed to shut down and wait for the weather to improve.  I had already half shut everything down when I suddenly noticed the dome locking bolt was still in place - duh!!!

Carole

[Roberto]

That came out really well John! 

Roberto

[JohnH]

Thanks all.

One day I will be patient enough to collect enough data.

John

[Carole]

It will be easier once you have an O bservatory John.

Carole