MessierMatt

I’m slowly working my way through the brightest DSO’s when the skies allow and focused in on M27 on Friday. Despite the 98% moon and some patchy high cloud I was really happy to be able to view and shoot this target for the first time. I am still learning the best settings for DSS and Rawtherapee so would really appreciate any feedback. I took 750 lights and stacked the best 80% leading to 608 images, I shot at 25600iso (I am finding I need to use a higher iso to pull enough data when using this untracked set up). I used two different exposure lengths at 0.6s and 0.8s which I can see has left some trailing. I stacked using Mosaic mode but unsure if I should be doing this. I then processed in RawTherapee. Equipment used; Canon 800D, Skywatcher Explorer 150p, EQ3 mount. Thanks for reading.

@imakebeer sorry, thought by giving a link to the Tiff files, you guys could look at the photos with all the data. Below are the JPEGS. E24062B4-6ED9-464A-9D3D-FE56BB7B7D84.tiff

Unfortunately no tracking mount yet hence the number of lights at short exposures. Thanks for the feedback.

Fab shot of the Owl Nebula. Great clarity in the uncropped image.

Love this. I managed my first image over the weekend. A really interesting target.

I’m still practising with my current set up and loving the learning curve. Randomly decided to aim for the Owl Nebula over the weekend and amazied at the results! It is really tempting to overprocess and I’m trying to keep the colours as ‘natural’ as possible. Untracked, Skywatcher 150p explorer, 291 lights at 0.6s, no darks or bias, Canon 800d. Loving the challenge and results.

Thanks @michael8554 I will defo check the collimation.

This is amazing. I know I cannot get anywhere near this with my set up but very inspiring.

Hi Everyone. I am hoping for some advice around the processing of my untracked image of M51. Skywatcher 150P Canon 800D 371 Lights (No darks or bias) 25600iso 0.4s exposure time. Dropbox link for tiff file below. M51 15,5,23.TIF (dropbox.com) Cropped and slightly processed to bring out the detail. M51 15,5,23 cropped .TIF (dropbox.com) I am currently using DSS and RawTherapee.

@AstroMuni thanks for the feedback. I have moved to 0.4 single exposure time which has reduced the elongation a little. I'm also sure collimation is not spot on and am still practicing with this.

Thanks @michael8554 . So actually trying to image planets by using a Barlow and dslr is not recommended and therefore buying an upgraded Barlow or x3 is not needed as through capturing the live x5 video feed is more effective. I’ve read a few articles on this and am aware I need dedicated software and a laptop linked to the camera. I was under the impression that by using a x3 Barlow the planet image would hit more pixels on the dslr sensor hence improving details. Is this the case? thanks for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate everyone’s responses.

Thanks for this @Elp really clear advice. I will have a go at some EP projection.

Feedback appreciated. I recognise I need more subs at a shorter exposures but really happy with how this turned out. 100 subs no bias or darks (just getting used to basics first!) 12800 iso 0.5sec exposures set up; 150p Skywatcher Explorer (750Fl) Canon 800d

Beautiful image. The 2x works well on the moon. Lovely details. I am thinking that a higher power Barlow would allow more info to hit the pixels of the sensor giving more details on, for example Saturn or Jupiter. So when cropped, there would be more data. Is this correct? I know that there would be a large loss of light and therefore I would have to use a higher iso/longer exposure.