Yes first go at a galaxy well chuffed!

[yelsac]

Its taken what seems like an eternity since getting NEQ6 to actually get first dso pic.

Took forever to understand DSS, it wouldn't process my 1100d pics

I know its no where the finished article but I can't tell you how chuffed I am, this is all so complicated for a newbie to figure out

please all advice welcome, I really want to get better.

16 x 60s lights, 20 darks, 20 bias unguided

Skywatcher 150p

Neq6

Canon 1100d unmodded

[Chris]

Looks very good for a first attempt, and great target to go for To improve I would say take flats for the vignetting, and get a coma corrector for the stretched stars towards the edges. Also watch that you don't cut off the left side of the histogram when processing which is known as black clipping, your background looks a touch dark which could be a sign of this.

Still your first go at M51 is better than my 3rd attempt at it. I didn't do one I was happy with until attempt number 5!

[PeterCPC]

Great start! You have not got your PA spot on as I am sure you are aware. Do you use a Light Pollution filter? Sky seems very red - you could alter that in histogram adjustment and levels.

You are on the slippery slope now.

Peter

[scotttumsh]

Well done thats a great picture, you should be very happy with yourself. good on you.

[bingevader]

That's lovely, well done!

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Very nice first attempt

[RLWP]

There's a load of terminology there I don't understand, I do understand the delight you have though.

Congratulations, I am looking forward to finding things like that myself

Richard

[peter shah]

a great feeling....nicely captured

[xtreemchaos]

if i had a pic like that id be well proud,keep up the good work.

[yelsac]

Looks very good for a first attempt, and great target to go for To improve I would say take flats for the vignetting, and get a coma corrector for the stretched stars towards the edges. Also watch that you don't cut off the left side of the histogram when processing which is known as black clipping, your background looks a touch dark which could be a sign of this.

Still your first go at M51 is better than my 3rd attempt at it. I didn't do one I was happy with until attempt number 5!

Thanks for the info

I'll definately try the flats, Not to sure what you mean by cutting off left side of histogram, is that in dss or in the processing? (I used gimp)

[yelsac]

Great start! You have not got your PA spot on as I am sure you are aware. Do you use a Light Pollution filter? Sky seems very red - you could alter that in histogram adjustment and levels.

You are on the slippery slope now.

Peter

thanks for the comments, sorry I'm a bit slow what is PA?

[PeterCPC]

Polar Alignment.

Peter

[Sarah and Colins Astro]

Wow what a great first image of a Galaxy, you should be really proud of yourself and your pic!!

[happy-kat]

That is a cracking first image.

(For others reading this 1100d needs newer beta version of DSS otherwise you get tall skinny images).

[StuartJPP]

Good job and a cracking first image.

[Chris]

Thanks for the info

I'll definately try the flats, Not to sure what you mean by cutting off left side of histogram, is that in dss or in the processing? (I used gimp)

Hi, it's in post processing, when you do levels you will see an histogram which should slope up at the left ad down on the right. If the histogram is stretched such that it moves too far left it gets cut off along with some of your hard earned data.

If you click on the link below and scroll down you will see what a clipped histogram looks like.

http://www.astropix.com/PFA/SAMPLE3/SAMPLE3.HTM

[martin_veasey]

Great shots of a particular favourite Messier of mine. I wish I could do something as good. Will have to try your approach re number of shots. Would you mind sharing the ISO you used? 1600?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[yelsac]

Great shots of a particular favourite Messier of mine. I wish I could do something as good. Will have to try your approach re number of shots. Would you mind sharing the ISO you used? 1600?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks

It was ISO 800, I was told that was a good one to start with

[yelsac]

Polar Alignment.

Peter

Of course!! that makes sense now, thanks again

Yelsac

[yelsac]

Hi, it's in post processing, when you do levels you will see an histogram which should slope up at the left ad down on the right. If the histogram is stretched such that it moves too far left it gets cut off along with some of your hard earned data.

If you click on the link below and scroll down you will see what a clipped histogram looks like.

http://www.astropix.com/PFA/SAMPLE3/SAMPLE3.HTM

Wow that was really interesting

thanks for the link & advice

[zedds]

Great image. Well done on your first capture!!  

[sologuitarist61]

Very good, well done!

[Coolhandjo]

great first attempt!