coatesg

At @swag72's request, I'm putting together a quick guide as to how to use the Pixinsight annotate script, including how to produce and use custom catalogues. [Mods - please feel free to move as needed if this isn't the right place to put this!] I'll use an image to demonstrate this - this is the (unprocessed!) L channel from an image of the region containing and to the north of the Coathanger. First step is to solve the image - most of the time, this is simple to do using the Image Solver script. The Image Solver needs some initial coordinates to setup the search. You can search for the image coordinates using the Search function if they aren't already set - if they are being dragged through from the image (eg from SGP) they will already be populated (or at least be close). The coordinates don't need to be accurate, but the closer the better - at the least, make sure the image contains the seed coordinates. Here, I've searched for "Collinder 399" and it returns the coordinates of the Coathanger (at the bottom of the image). Set the focal length, pixel size, and hit OK - you shouldn't need to change params unless it fails to solve (beyond the scope of this guide!). If it all goes OK, then you'll get a set of coordinates, image size displayed in the Process Console. (HINT: It's sometimes easier to solve a linear image if a non-linear refuses to solve). At this point, the image has a solution, and it will be retained as long as you don't crop, rotate, scale, resize, etc the image. (it'll warn you if the action you are performing will affect the solution). At this point, we can move onto the annotation. The default settings for the Annotate script (Script > Render) are shown - this is a very simple set of parameters (though, the NamedStars and Tycho catalogues will result in a very busy annotated image!!). The options available for each of the catalogues allows the user to set options such as the colour of the marker/text, the size of the text and the relative position of the text with regards to the centre of the object. The user can also choose to include other catalogues in the routine - there are quite a few catalogues available to the user by default - these can be found by using the "+" button below the "Layers" list of catalogues: At this point, hitting "OK" is usually good enough to get an annotated image produced - the result of using the script with the VdB and Sharpless catalogues added, and with the Tycho/Named stars catalogues off. Next up is how to create new catalogues for more obscure targets....

Mine has a coat now (in 2 bits!). Shrouds from Heather at scope shrouds. I must do a construction thread!

I'd agree with comments on the Flame - the HH and surrounding emission look super, and the palette really works, and there's great detail in the faint wispy stuff; but the Flame in lemon yellow doesn't really do it for me I'm afraid :-/.

Apologies to everyone: I reasoned that it had been cloudy for so long this spring, I could buy kit and get away with it... hopefully not cursed it for next week... I picked up a good deal on a Canon 200mm f2.8 L USM II on Ebay that arrived on Tues - and also have just found a new QHY camera well... (need a new FW and filters now :-O )

That or you can use an extension tube (though you might land up vignetting at the drawtube if it's too far out). I have to use a 2" extension to come to focus as I designed the scope for imaging and so have 60 mm between lowest travel and focal plane. Works fine

Just seen this thread - thought I'd throw in some pics of my double truss newt. Optics were from an Orion SPX350, but I got fed up of the thin walled tube that just wasn't enough to take the weight of everything for imaging. Bought the spider and new mirror cell, and reused the Moonlite CR2, but everything else I designed and made with help from a couple of mates, one who can weld ally, and one has a mill in his garage. I need shrouds, to wire up the secondary dew heater, and to mount the new PC on the scope, but it's otherwise working! Mount underneath is a Losmandy Titan - might need another counterweight too :-/

Lovely image Gav - great colour too (very reddened due to the intervening dust!) Faint/obscure objects: Use Aladin and Simbad! See screenshot below. The faint patch to the lower left of the galaxy has catalog LEDA 166077 - this almost looks like an extension of one of the spiral arms but is catalogued in its own right. The tiddler right at the left hand side of the frame is 2MASX J03450118+6747228 (from the 2MASS IR survey). HTH!

Well done everyone! Some great images in this one!

More good words from me - adaptor I ordered needed to be ordered from manufacturer, but excellent comms detailing how long it would be - and turned up before expected too!