M51 QSI 070311

[Fay]

Well I had to do something last night. Would have normally done a galaxy with the 120.

There is some star flare, but have ordered the correct spacer. Could be some gradient, but difficult to see on this computer.

QSI/ED80 20x300, L, 0.8fr, flats dks bias, stacked in DSS

Quite a learning curve. It is different to the Atik. Have to remember a lot of new things & still learning. Once I have focus & framing, I should be better.

[mickw]

Well done Fay, nice start

[Fay]

Well thanks Mick. I would normally have used a CLS filter, but nowhere to put it if I am using a fr

[Mac]

Nice capture for a start,

Mac.

[Fay]

Thanks Mac

[RobertM]

Nice start Fay, not too shoddy for a first light

[Fay]

well Robert, thankyou, I will be ok once I know why what etc etc. It was only a trial I had messed about for 3 hours!!!!

[PhilB]

Very nice, Fay. Especially so given the experimental nature of the session.

[MarkS]

That's a great first light Fay.

I quite like seeing a lonely galaxy sitting in a wide star field like that - it gives a real sense of perspective.

I'm quite surprised how much faint stuff can be seen - especially as you did this without a filter.

Mark

[Fay]

Well I think I have it sussed now. (famous last words, I will probably eat them before the night is over) Framed @ 4x4 took 7secs, focused, bit dubious, but ok, 2x2, no figures showing in X & Y & I think if the shape of the rectangle is not to aa's liking , it does not show the star in the focus box. That is what it looks like anyway.

A minor glitch, it was only doing the first sub of a sequence & not saving it,  not sure why. I closed aa down & restarted & it is saving now.
That has happened a few times, I will suddenly realise what is not liked.

I am absolutely worn out today & was just going outside to sort a couple of things, but happy to be out longer now it is working ok.

[Fay]

Thanks Mark, yes I will only be able to use a cls with galaxies, if I do not use the flattener & put the 2" nosepiece on the QSI & put my 2" filter in the end. Perhaps I don't need a flattener for a galaxy if it is cropped.

[MarkS]

Do you mean you don't have a filterwheel?

[Fay]

Yes but the L filter is used for galaxies. I used to screw a cls on the end of the nose

[Tony G]

Lovely image Fay. You must try this in colour.

Tony G

[MarkS]

Why don't you put the CLS in the filter wheel?