M31 and Orion Region Proof of Concept

[Daniel]

Hi All, with the awful skies we've been having I haven't had much of a chance to get out and do much imaging, however I did get out for a little and manage to try out my 200mm F2.8 Canon lens to see the field of view I'd get, there was a lot of haze on both the nights i tried it out so the resulting images could be a lot better, I also messed up the flats. but as a proof of concept Im quite encouraged.

Anyway, nothing great but here they are

[Fay]

Great Daniel, This is indeed what I am planning to do, get M42 & HH in same picture, with my Leitz lens, but have only been outside about 3 times since the summer!!!!!!!!

[Tony G]

Stunning images Daniel.

I wish I could just go outside and take a few images like that.
Well done again.

Tony G

[Daniel]

Thanks guy's, Fay, I just saw your HH you posted, stunning image, I've been thinking of taking a shot like this, then up-resing the image and using as the basis for a mosaic with the hyperstar, thought it'd be a great way to plan a shot.

Daniel
:O)

[PhilB]

Those are nice images, Daniel. Strange how you can just "pop outside" and acquire a cracker, whilst carefully planned sessions end in failure..

[Daniel]

I think it's one of the nice things about using the 200mm, normally it can take about 2 hours to set up and collimate the hyperstar, and by that time the weather usually takes a turn for the worst, this time I was up and running within about 45 minutes.

[MarkS]

Me also - I've also done my own proof of concept of this area of sky:
http://forum.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/index.php?topic=6657.0
I think we're all waiting for some decent weather - here's hoping for a clear DSC!

Daniel, that 200mm lens certainly gives a useful field of view and, as you say, very fast to set up.  What exposure times did you use for those 2 images?

Mark

[Daniel]

Hi Mark, because of the haze I only managed 4:30 seconds per sub on the M31 image at ISO 320, F4 the Orion images was even worse at 1:30s at ISO 320 and I only managed to get 6 images on that occasion.

Hoping when the weather gets better I'll be able to go at least 8 minutes on these.

Daniel
:O)

[mickw]

Hi Mark, because of the haze I only managed 4:30 seconds per sub on the M31 image at ISO 320, F4 the Orion images was even worse at 1:30s at ISO 320 and I only managed to get 6 images on that occasion.

So you got 6 subs @ 90 secs on Orion and X subs @ 270 secs on M31 - what camera ?

Daniel, you're certainly getting good results, but a bit more info please for us mere mortals 

Mick

[Daniel]

Hi Mick, that was the modified Canon 40D, the M31 shot consisted of 19 Subs (just counted)

Daniel
:O)

[mickw]

Thanks for that Daniel

[Fay]

Was it a mosaic Daniel? I thought not

[Daniel]

Hi Fay, no, these are just straight out of the camera, im using the same lens Robert uses for some of his amazing widefield images.

(Funny how in astronomy, what we consider a "widefield" view actually needs a telephoto lens!)

Daniel
:O)