Vic L S

Played and explored around with editing on Pixinsight since my last upload - quite happy with this one, doesn't seem to have the blue tinge as the previous image. Still lots to learn regarding post processing skills! Always a journey.

Great suggestions - I should've thought about shooting stars seperately. Might have to wait for the next cloudless night. For now will retry with some star masks/ color calibration!

I did notice that, tried to bring the blues down but not sure it made enough of an impact. Any ideas how I can get more natural looking stars? Forgot to mention I used the L-ultimate.

Probably my most decent image to date, I feel like I've still got so much to learn but I'm pretty happy with my progress. North America Nebula - taken in Brunei where I am currently based. (4°N) Stacked and processed in PixInsight using the Foraxx palette. 21 x 300s Light frames Telescope: William Optics ZS61 II Camera: ASI2600MC Filter: L-Ultimate Mount: ZWO-AM3 Guidescope & Camera: Skywatcher Evoguide 50ED & ASI462MC Calibrated with darks, flats and bias frames. Any feedback or suggestions very welcome! ☺️

Thanks for all the response everyone, the Mele 4C looks like a solid option - I will have to look into this + the hub Elp has mentioned to power dew heaters and such.

Thank you, I watched it, very informative. If the Mele doesn't come supplied with a power adapter, are you using an existing one with a 5.5 DC jack with a USB-C adaptor? Similarly, how does one go about powering dew heaters, as mine all have 5.5 DC jack cables. Thank you again.

Hi all, I have been using an ASIair Plus to run my imaging sessions but now would like to try something different as I am getting into planetary imaging and would like more control with the programmes that are used. (I would like to use NINA and Sharpcap/ Firecapture to run imaging sessions for the moon/ planets.) What I'd like to try and get set up is to use a mini PC and get all my equipment connected - my mount, camera etc and control the mini PC from my laptop. I this means I would need some 12V DC ports to power dew heaters as well. Is this something that is quite commonly done, and if so what mini PC is a solid option for astrophotography? Thanks in advance.

Thank you - I've only ever used the ASIair for my imaging sessions so would have to learn how to operate with a laptop. Would I need any additional software to run the session?

Hi all, I finally had the chance to have a go at lunar imaging with my C8 EdgeHD set up (I've attached a picture of my setup). It's been out for a few test nights but mainly just to try and get both the eyepiece and camera in focus at the same time. (I've managed rough focus in both but not at the same time, still need to re-focus a little as I swap between the eyepiece/ camera - anyone with a similar set up can offer some advice on how to improve this?) I took a few videos of the full moon (Buck Moon) on the 20th and stacked them on AutoStakkert, then processed on PixInsight. This is the resulting image. It's not perfect, I'm sure my focus could be better - but it is a first trial run to have a go at lunar imaging as this is something I'd like to try and get better at (I've only ever done DSO imaging, with a smaller refractor). My question is: how does one go about taking a mosaic of the moon at such high magnification? Is it quite literally a matter of taking videos of multiple panels and stitching them together? Is there an easier way to do this - I use an ASIair? Or would it be better to use the 0.7x reducer to try and fit more of the moon in a single frame? As for stitching panels together - what is the best programme to do this? Do I have to stack each image on Autostakkert before stitching them together, or again, is there a more efficient way to go about this? Any feedback, tips or suggestions really welcome, and will be ready to try again on the next cloudless night! Thanks in advance x Set up: C8 Edge HD, ASIair, ZWO 462MC, Baader Flip Mirror II, AM3 and EAF.

Thank you. In fact, it was when you posted your reprocessed milky way photos that inspired me! If you have any tips I'm all ears 😊

Thank you for this! Will look into getting a lens to start with. Great to have the video as a point of reference, I'm looking forward to giving it a go. I am guessing stacking such a wide picture on PixInsight is not possible?

Thank you for this. I have had a look online now and see both Rokinon 12mm and also the 14mm. Any advice on which one to go for? Also where would be the best place to buy camera lenses in the UK?

Hi all - So not exactly new to imaging, I usually do DSO imaging with my telescope + ASI2600mc and do post processing on PixInsight. However with the Milky way becoming more visible at a more reasonable time where I am currently based, I'd like to try my hand at milky way landscapes. I do have a Canon 650D that I've used when I started out with astrophotography, before I switched to a dedicated astro camera. I'm looking to purchase a widefield lens (Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 or something similar) to go with the DSLR. Can anyone recommend a guide online? I have a basic idea but still have a few questions on approach. 1) I have an AM3, can someone explain the process on how to track with this mount while shooting the Milky way? Do I select a target within the milky way and just track that? 2) If I choose to go without a mount, I can take multiple shorter exposures and stack them. What software is suitable to stack a landscape shot? 3) Is the normal process usually to shoot the foreground with a different ISO as not to overexpose, and then combine that with the milky way background? 4) Are milky way images usually processed on Photoshop? I have only taught myself PixInsight to process astro images so not very familiar with Photoshop, but willing to learn. I've watched a few videos on YouTube so I have a basic idea, but still have a few questions and looking for a more comprehensive guide, if someone can recommend one! TIA x

Hi Adam, Yeah that was my issue, I have a UV/IR cut filter on the nose piece. I had a dig around and found an adaptor so just waiting for another clear night to try and get the camera in focus now.

Hi mate, Sorry to come with another question. My flip mirror has finally arrived and I'm struggling to piece it all together. I've got a helical focuser for the eyepiece so that attaches on top of the mirror no problem. However I'm struggling to figure out how to attach my ASI462MC. Mine came with a 1.25" nose piece. How did you attach yours?

Hi, thanks for the input. Yes I forgot about the reducer 😅 too focused on the flip mirror set up. The eyepiece has the helical focuser so I guess all fine on that front of things. The camera has a 1.25" nose piece with a UV/IR cut filter on it, but I have no way of attaching it directly to the flip mirror as I don't seem to have the right adapter. Do you know what I might need?

Hi Micheal, Thanks for your input. I was so focused on the flip mirror I totally forgot the focuser was on there until I took the whole thing out and looked at the moon. Didn't really want to be fumbling with removing bits in the dark. Both the eyepiece and camera have a helical focuser attached, the eyepiece has a basic one and the camera has the ZWO non rotating helical focuser attached. So I should move the ZWO helical focuser to the front of the flip mirror, that makes sense. However if that is the case I am now unsure how to attach my camera to the flip mirror. Would you happen to know what adapter I might need? As for an OAG I haven't gotten that far yet, something to add on in the future. Many thanks again.

Picture for reference. Only way I can get the camera to attach is with the 16mm M42-M48 adaptor that came with my other camera. However am not sure if this is the right size or getting correct backfocus.

Hi all, I have recently bought the Baader flip mirror to use with my C8 edge for planetary imaging + visual at the same time, to make life easier. I am using the ASI462MC and I have the SVBONY zoom eyepiece. I am able to attach the flip mirror to the telescope via the Celestron T-Adapter, and the eyepiece + helical focuser goes on the top opening. However I am struggling to get the camera attached. I have the camera with a t-nose attached to the ZWO helical focuser, but it does not have the right attachment to the camera. I think I need a M42-M48, but I am unsure of the right size. I have a 16mm one that came with my ASI2600MC, but when I used that I am unable to get focus (eyepiece is in focus no issues) Anyone knows what the backfocus is I need for the camera, and what is the correct adaptor I need? TIA x

Oh wow. Thank you for sharing. I love the history behind it.

A warm welcome. I'm finding this forum to be a great place for inspiration and discussion.

I've been looking for more astronomy related coffee books, this will make a great addition!

Tech whizz! I never would've thought of that.