SteveNickolls
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Everything posted by SteveNickolls
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From the album: Next Attempts at DSO's
Over four sessions in September and October this year as weather allowed I was able to put together a four-pane Ha mosaic of part of Cygnus utilising my Star Adventurer mount. Each pane was made from x18-x24 300 second light frames taken with a modified Canon 700D DSLR, Astronomik 12nm Ha filter and Samyang 135mm lens, exposures were at f/2 and ISO 400. Library temperature matching dark frames were employed in the staking process as were master flat and bias frames. Stacking was done using Deep Sky Stacker and further processed using StarTools. MS ICE was then used to stitch the panes together. I particularly like the dark veins of dust connecting the Northern Coal Sack to the areas of nebulosity on either side of it. This version out of StarTools used the original RGB file which was processed with the monochrome version with a 30% percentage treatment using StarTools LAYER module to bring out highlights.© SteveNickolls 2018
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From the album: Next Attempts at DSO's
Over four sessions in September and October this year as weather allowed I was able to put together a four-pane Ha mosaic of part of Cygnus utilising my Star Adventurer mount. Each pane was made from x18-x24 300 second light frames taken with a modified Canon 700D DSLR, Astronomik 12nm Ha filter and Samyang 135mm lens, exposures were at f/2 and ISO 400. Library temperature matching dark frames were employed in the staking process as were master flat and bias frames. Stacking was done using Deep Sky Stacker and further processed using StarTools. MS ICE was then used to stitch the panes together. I particularly like the dark veins of dust connecting the Northern Coal Sack to the areas of nebulosity on either side of it.© SteveNickolls 2018
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Here is the help file from DSS 344, I hope it opens for you. DeepSkyStacker Help.chm Or avaialable here- http://deepskystacker.free.fr/english/userguide.htm Cheers, Steve -
I use the autosaved .fts file out of DSS not .tiff. DSS is a minefield of choices and steps and takes a little getting resolved to use correctly. Best to work through the DSS help file that is bundled with it first. Here's a little screen print from part of the DSS Help file- DSS Help Excerpt.docx Cheers, Steve
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Hi, The final image in DSS will be very dark. You will use another programme such as StarTools to stretch the information hidden in the final DSS image. ? Regards, Steve
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There can be a lot of fun getting DSS to work as you want it but the guides are, 'out there'. Star Tools (ST) will repay investment in time spent with it. The great thing about astro-photography is that as you progress with experience you can go back to earlier attempts and redo them. Good luck whichever route you decide to follow and do keep posting! Cheers, Steve
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This guide, initially signposted elsewhere is a start with DSS (and more so with StarTools)-https://astro.ecuadors.net/processing-a-noisy-dslr-image-stack-with-startools/#comment-17174 You can get DSS version 4.1.0 now. Cheers, Steve
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From the album: Next Attempts at DSO's
Over the evening of the 6th and morning of the 7th October 2018 I was able to take this image of the region in Cygnus around Sadr. The image is composed from 24x five minute light frames, 7x temperature matched dark frames plus a master flat and bias frame from my library. The light frames were captured at f/2, ISO 400 with a modified Canon 700D and clip-in Astronomik 12nm Hs filter and 135mm Samyang lens. The mount used was a Star Adventurer on a Celestron Heavy duty Alt-Az tripod. Stacking was done in Deep Sky Stacker and subsequent processing using StarTools.© SteveNickolls 2018
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Imaging with a Star Adventurer
SteveNickolls replied to M Astronomy's topic in Getting Started With Imaging
Hi and greatful thanks for posting this. Am I right thinking this means one would then have to use the SA to control an imaging run rather than work through software such as BYEOS. Thanks in advance. Cheers, Steve -
From the album: Next Attempts at DSO's
On the 12th September I was able to image the area in Cygnus including the North American Nebula (NGC 7000) and the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070) as the beginning of a larger mosaic of the region. This monochrome image is made from x18 five minute light frames at ISO 400 and f/2 and x23 temperature matched dark frames plus master flat and bias frames from my library. Stacking was done in Deep Sky Stacker and subsequent processing using StarTools. Cropping was done in Picture Window Pro. The red version of the area shows more of the billowing nature of the nebulosity in the area. Equipment used-Skywatcher Star Adventurer mount on Celestron Alt-Az tripod, Canon 700D modified DSLR, Astronomik 12nm Ha clip in filter and Samyang 135mm f/2 lens.© SteveNickolls 2018
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From the album: Next Attempts at DSO's
On the 12th September I was able to image the area in Cygnus including the North American Nebula (NGC 7000) and the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070) as the beginning of a larger mosaic of the region. This monochrome image is made from x18 five minute light frames at ISO 400 and f/2 and x23 temperature matched dark frames plus master flat and bias frames from my library. Stacking was done in Deep Sky Stacker and subsequent processing using StarTools. Cropping was done using Picture Window Pro. Equipment used-Skywatcher Star Adventurer mount on Celestron Alt-Az tripod, Canon 700D modified DSLR, Astronomik 12nm Ha clip in filter and Samyang 135mm f/2 lens.© SteveNickolls 2018
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I knew this would be a mistake...
SteveNickolls replied to R26 oldtimer's topic in Getting Started With Imaging
The more images you take the less cost per exposure ? Enjoy, Steve -
From the album: Next Attempts at DSO's
I have made a meandering 7-pane mosaic showing some of the many Sharpless objects in the area of Cepheus which stretches from the nebulosity near Mu Cephei to NGC 7822. Each pane involved 2 hours of 300s exposures taken with a modified Canon 700D DSLR, a clip in 12nm Astronomik Ha filter and 135mm Samyang lens at f/2. All the light frames were taken at ISO 400. Images were stacked in Deep Sky Stacker and further processed using StarTools. The images were taken over a period from May to September 2018.© SteveNickolls 2018
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From the album: Next Attempts at DSO's
Since May this year I have been imaging some of the constellation of Cepheus to identify and bring together the many Sharpless objects in the region. I have now been able to stitch together five panes and used StarTools to produce this inverted image which helps show off both the delicate nebulosity and stars in this rich area of the night sky. The images were all taken using a Skywatcher Star Adventurer mount, modified Canon 700D DSLR with a clip in Astronomik 12nm Ha filter and a 135mm Samyang lens. The individual light exposures were all taken at f/2, ISO 400 and exposed for 300 seconds each. Stacking was done in Deep Sky stacker and further processing using StarTools.© SteveNickolls 2018
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Sigma 150-600mm for Deep Sky Widefield ?
SteveNickolls replied to smr's topic in Getting Started With Imaging
Hi smr, Thanks for posting. I can't help you with any knowledge of the lens nor telescope but there are two good reviews here of lenses I can direct you to- https://www.lenstip.com/index.html?test=obiektywu&test_ob=434 https://www.lenstip.com/417.11-Lens_review-Sigma_S_150-600_mm_f_5-6.3_DG_OS_HSM_Summary.html I hope someone with direct knowledge will be able to more fully answer you. The lens will give you an option to image at different FL's and quicker optics than the telescope and you'll need to factor in a flattener/reducer into the overall cost of the telescope for imaging. How do the telescope and lens compare cost-wise? Can you get a good second hand lens to help keep the price down or is price no object for you? Good luck with your future imaging. Cheers, Steve -
From the album: Next Attempts at DSO's
I have been imaging in the region of Cepheus and have put together a three-pane mosaic stretching from Mu Cephei to the Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380). The equipment used to take the images included a Canon 700D modified DSLR with clip in Astronomik 12nm Ha filter, Samyang 135mm lens on a Star Adventurer mount. All the 300 second light frames were taken at ISO 400 and f/2 and stacked with matching temperature dark frames and master flat and bias frames from my library of exposures. The three imaging sessions took place on the 2nd May and the 14th and 16th of August 2018. I hope to add to the panes with further imaging sessions.© SteveNickolls 2018
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Hi, The advice on the StarTools site is-http://www.startools.org/downloads/technical-faq/minimum-specs seems RAM dependent rather than CPU, you will just have to be more patient with a slower CPU as ST's processes the data less quickly. ? A SSD will help run things more speedily too. I normally 35% bin images as the first step after downloading the file to process to reduce file size. My PC runs an original i5 processor (2.67 GHz with 4 threads) having 8 Gb RAM and a standard 7200rpm Hdd. Best to just try your machine out and see how well it performs to your liking. Good luck using ST's it's a good programme. Best Regards, Steve
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From the album: Next Attempts at DSO's
This is a first imaging attempt on the area of the Veil Nebula carried out on the evening of the 3rd August/early morning of the 4th August 2018. Image taken with a modified Canon 700D DSLR with 12nm Astronomik Ha filter and 135mm Samyang lens on a Star Adventurer mount. Image composed from x18 five minute light frames taken at ISO 400 and f/2 with x12 temperature matched dark frames plus a master flat frame and master bias frame from my library. Exposures were stacked with Deep Sky Stacker and processed using StarTools. The open cluster at 2 o'clock is NGC 6940.© Steve Nickolls 2018
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Imaging with a Star Adventurer
SteveNickolls replied to M Astronomy's topic in Getting Started With Imaging
Hi, Thanks for posting your image. Can you detail your set up etc. allowing imaging at 720mm? Best Regards, Steve -
Thanks for posting. I would (move from Win 10 that is) if I could (no understanding of Linux). I have however followed advice elsewhere on SGL and used, 'Shut Up 10' to at least keep the laptop from reporting each keystroke (my, MS must be tired of recording all my astro-imaging data ha, ha). Good luck with using your new O/S. Cheers, Steve
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Hi, and thanks for posting. An articulated 'Live View' screen does come in handy for when your imaging equipment ends up at odd angles. focusing using Live view on a bright star is a good way to focus manually provided you take your time. Do you need a new camera? I have a Canon 600D and modded 700D so both 'old' against today's fresh offerings so a used slightly older camera will save you some money. I haven't felt the need to utilise the wi-fi capability of the more modern iterations of cameras but you may. I have used an OTG cable with my (again old) hudl to control the cameras but prefer using BYEOS on my laptop when taking images but that is not a camera model specific thing. I would stay away from the mirror less cameras for astro-photography. I would not worry whether a camera is capable of utilising very high ISO values as 200-1600 are fine. A simple, cheap intervalometer will allow you to automate imaging sequences. You might want to consider if you want to get a modded camera but that is again not a model specific point. Completely off subject but I would advise buying a copy of, 'Astro-photography on the Go Using Short Exposures with Light Mounts' by Joseph Ashley, avaliable from our sponsors-https://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/astrophotography-on-the-go-book.html This book is an excellent read and will help with concepts such a field rotation and how long one may image an object depending on its Alt and Az. Cheers, Steve
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From the album: Next Attempts at DSO's
Taken over the late evening and early morning of the 13th/14th May is this image of Sharpless 2-171 which straddles the border of the constellations Cepheus and Cassiopeia, and the cluster NGC 7822. The image was made up from 24 x 300 second light frames taken at f/2 and ISO 400. These were combined in DSS with 22 temperature matched dark frames and x50 flat and bias frames then subsequently processed in StarTools. Equipment used-CG-5 mount, Canon 700D modified DSLR with an Astronomik 12nm Ha clip in filter and Samyang 135mm lens.© SteveNickolls 2018
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From the album: Next Attempts at DSO's
In the early morning of the 7th May 2018 I spent an hour imaging a stretch of nebulosity around the Cepheus and Cassiopeia border taking in several DSO's including Sharpless 2-155 (Cave Nebula) and 2-157 (Claw Nebula) and M52. I am pleased how this composition has worked out for just a hours effort. Image composed from 12x 300 second light frames at f/2, ISO 400 and 135mm (Samyang lens) and stacked with 7x temperature matched dark frames and 50x flat and bias frames. Camera used-modified Canon 700D with Astronomik 12nm Ha filter. Mount-CG-5. All frames staked in Deep Sky Stacker and processed in StarTools.© SteveNickolls 2018
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From the album: Next Attempts at DSO's
This image is from two imaging sessions incorporating 46x 300 second light frames taken at f/2, ISO 400 with a Canon 700D modified DSLR with Astronomik 12nm clip in filter and 135mm Samyang lens. Images taken over the evenings and early mornings of 2nd-3rd and the 6th to 7th May 2018. Mount CG-5. Light frames stacked with 15x dark frames and 50x each flat and bias frames in Deep Sky Stacker and processed in StarTools.© SteveNickolls 2018
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They ain't listening. Cheers, Steve
