Imaging with the Skymax 127.

[Paulus17]

Thought i would start a seperate post showing the images i've managed with my new set,namely the Skymax 127 with GOTO,which i am really enjoying using,so long as i keep meself and everything around me perfectly still when imaging.

These three images have been stacked using Deep Sky stacker and are all 10 x20 second exposures with 21 darks,and using CS3 to process them.

M92.

M13.

M3.

[JamesF]

Interesting to see someone using the 127 Mak for DSO imaging Was this with the D90?

James

[knobby]

Nice work!

[baggywrinkle]

_{Nicely done...}

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Nice images. Inspiring to see what you can achieve with a scope people regard as unsuitable for DSO imaging. Should give these objects a go with my C8 (I have a focal reducer, so it is worth a go)

[Paulus17]

Thanks everyone

James-Yes all taken with the Nikon D90.

[Nibor]

Inspirational photos for owners of the Skymax 127 and GOTO like myself - perhaps I ought to give astrophoto a try??!!

[Paulus17]

Decided to go on a bit of a Galaxy Quest,not the film, the other night as it was clearing up nicely to see how the 127 would get on.

Started off with M64 but those didn't come out too well,but ended up with these M81-82-51 and finished the night with M27 again just to see how it would turn out.Just about got M51 in frame as it turned out whivh i couldn't see on the live view so will attempt that one next time,but there is some detail there.

Overall i am pleased with the results.

All were 10 x 30 sec subs,10 secs longer than the previous images, and 25 x 30 sec darks,using the Nikon D90 and processed using DSS and CS3.

Next time i will try longer expos??

M81.

M82.

M51,just in frame.

M27.

[knobby]

Mate... You are truly becoming a Mak imaging legend

[Paulus17]

Cheers Knobby

Looks like i forgot to process this one of M57.

This was taken when i was doing the star clusters so it is a 10x20sec lights, 21x20sec darks.

M57.

[knobby]

Bows down

[majapala]

Fantastic photographs!

[Paulus17]

Thanks Majapala

You'd better watch your back Knobby,don't get doing yerself a mischief

It does my back and neck in trying to get in some of the positions to see the Live view to get these images

[jambouk]

These are astonishingly good!

I am so pleased for you. You said to me you were rubbish with computers but looks like you've mastered Deep Sky Stacker!

You are an inspiration to anyone else with a mak and the synscan goto mount.

I had a play at he dumb bell nebulae the other week with my 127 mak on the equatorial mount, i'll try and find it.

Really great work, well done.

James

[jambouk]

Here is my dumbbell.

http://m1311.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/jamesdawson/stackeddumbbell_zps0f00625f.jpg.html?o=1&newest=1

Now i've got my new 180 mak i'm really keen to try some more dso stuff, unguided but worth a go

James

[jambouk]

Are you relying on the goto to find these objects or are you doing it manually star hopping?

M82 is a cracking image too. Youvare putting some of the guys with fancy scopes and mounts to shame.

James

[Paulus17]

Hi James.

Thank you,you are too kind.

I'm ok with DSS now after finding tips and tricks on the net and getting help from a friend who uses DSS,but like most things the more you use summat the more you get to know it better.I might be ok with the Webcam but it just sounded too technical for me?

I am now getting the GOTO fairly accurate on the 127 sas the target is now somewhere in the live view first go.I now take my time leveling the tripod with the scope on and battery pack,getting the time near enough within a few seconds,and then getting the alignment targets as near as the middle of the EP as i can,and it all seems to work better.

You Dumbbell looks great James.

[RogerTheDodger]

Good results there, just goes to show that you should just try things and see what does work...

What ISO you using?

[Paulus17]

Thanks Roger

I am trying various ISO settings as i go along.

The first images in this thread i used ISO 1600,the next ones i used ISO 2000,and last nights,which i have gotta process, i used ISO 800 but i took more subs at 20 sec and 30 seconds.

[Paulus17]

Well the skies cleared last night so i managed another couple of hours imaging with the 127.

Managed to get two new Messiers for me M5 and 10 and also tried M81 and 82 again but this time with longer and more subs,and was lucky enough to get em both in the same frame,think they came out ok?

All these images are set at ISO 800 and 20-30 exposures.

M5.

M10.

M81 and M82.

[jambouk]

Absolutely amazing! I love that last one.

Focus is good and bloating and trailing is minimal!

I'm so impressed.

James

[Paulus17]

Thanks James.

Looking at the last image now i'm not so keen on the PP-ing i've done so will try and do that one again??

[jimi43]

This is amazing stuff with such short exposures....and great detail too!!

You might want to try some flats if you are going forward...easy to do..just stick a t shirt over the scope with an elastic band and take some shots without moving the camera and focus.

I did some stretching further and the artifacts of vignetting and dust pop out before you can pull much more clean data out of the subs.

I bet...given your talent and patience...you will improve your future images no end.

Cheers mate and thanks for sharing.

[Paulus17]

Hi Jim good to hear from you

Thanks for your comment,and now that i know what to expect from this set up i will give the flats a go,it will be good to see the difference they make,so watch this space as they say

[JamesF]

I had some time last night before the Moon got high enough to image so partly inspired by your posting I had a bash at M13 myself with similar kit. I used a 127 Mak with a 450D on a rather ancient EQ3-2 with the after-market motors fitted:

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/186974-mak-m13/

James