daz

After what seems forever and ever, my observatory is finally back up and running and I'm able to image properly again! Having taken delivery of my ZWO533MC Pro earlier this year, I managed to get a test run at Kelling and followed this up once I got the kit installed in the new box... And of course, I have to re-remember how to process the data - that might take a while!! Anyway,, here is NGC2403, discovered by William Herschel in 1788 and part of the M81 group - part of the larger Coma-Sculptor Cloud. Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro, guided with ZWO ASI120MM Mini Scope: Skywatcher Esprit 100ED Mount: Skywatcher AZEQ6 Exposures 63 x 300s, calibrated with flats, darks and dark-flats Processing: Pixinsight Processing was done with the new version of WBPP, splitting the RGB channels and registering each channel individually. Each channel was then run through NSG and integrated (cut off at weight of 50). The stacked masters were then given a touch of Mure Denoise before being Star Aligned and then ChannelCombination to give the RGB. A series of curves, ColorSaturation boosts, and a nifty process to try and boost the definition in the arms, before TGVDenoise, colour desaturation on the background and a final tweak with MMT. Much of this is putting learnings into practice from Adam Block Studios into practice, with copious references to Inside Pixinsight (Warren Keller), and Mastering Pixinsight (Rogelio Bernal Andreo)! I think I could have pushed the colour harder, and I might yet have another go round with it. Anyway, this will do for now.... c & c welcomed of course!

Welcome to the 2022 board!! So, we are very hopeful that we will be able to hold some sort of event next year - it would be fantastic to see people face to face enjoying the hobby that we love! We are going to pay a visit to Lucksall in the next couple of weeks to talk to them about what is possible - and to check that the site still works for us. We know there have been some changes, but not sure to what extent just yet. And because we are a caring team, we'll be checking that the breakfast in the café is up to standard. I know it's tough, but we're dedicated like that!! Anyway, fingers crossed it is good news and we can start to make firm plans!

#typefaster

Yep You're not looking at the histogram for flat-darks. For flats, yes, but not for flat-darks. You're just doing the same as the darks for the light frames - same temperature, cover on. For flats, you're aiming for somewhere between 1/3 to 1/2 way on the histogram, and somewhere between 50-75% saturation. Focus position and camera orientation need to be the same as when you took the light frames. If you move the camera, the dist donuts won;t match the flats. You'll need to experiment for your camera... Doesn't matter for the darks, there is nothing to see - as long as the temperature is the same.

Yes chap! It would indeed be look to start looking forward!

We've heard weirder things at Kelling mate!!

Thanks Paul You helped in the fact you are correct on the star!!! Fat fingers from the keyboard operator! I was hoping to avoid the need to relocate the scope to get a better horizon (my house is in the way!!) - but I've just remembered I'm going to Kelling for Winterfest in December, so will pray to all the Deities of Clear Skies that the clouds stay away!!

Just a gentle nudge to see if anyone can help... OSC or LRGB

Of course!!!

Oh that is very nice! Adam! I had a quick play with that yesterday - looks to be pretty good!

You were a busy boy at Kelling! Nice rendition sir!

Me too! First time for Winterfest - on 305 I think... @Anne S - I'm taking that as a guarantee of clear skies

I have some data from Kelling, ED72 + ASI533 - as soon as I get a minute to process it...!

Hi all Am hoping someone in the Southern Hemisphere can help... Am after a data set centered on the star TYC 237-901-1 (Gaia DR2 3834246880008018944) in Sextans - LRGB plus calibration frames. There are a couple of nice looking NGCs in the wider field (NGC3042 and NGC3043) which would be great if they could be included, but the star is the main focus (It's for a friend at work, his Father in law passed recently and they bought a star deed. He is hoping to get an image for his wife....) Can anyone help? Thanks!

Sorry chaps - just seen this message! We're actually starting these conversations and talking to Lucksall over the next few weeks.. We'll update you as we get more info!!

Has anyone tried to download the APASS catalog from PI and succeeded? Have tried on several occasions but it constantly fails.... (I have asked on the PI forum as well..) Cheers!

Thank you all for the feedback so far - it really helps us to know how to plan the future!

Makes the Deconvolution process much easier!!

Be warned - the catalogs are chunky downloads!!

Links During the talk, Adam showed the Photometric Colour Calibration module and mentioned that the catalogues could be downloaded. He also showed the GAME script for the Selective Rejection method, GAME - courtesy of Herbert Walter - can be downloaded from his repository at: https://www.skypixels.at/HVB_Repository/ (In PI, go to Resources, Updates, Manage Repositories, then add this URL). There are lots of different scripts that Herbert makes available too. The database files for PCC are now available to download via the PI Software Distribution platform. So, login to your account and they are with your normal software downloads. Additional information can be found on the PI forum at: https://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?threads/new-in-pixinsight-1-8-8-6-gaia-dr2-local-database.15385/ Grant will get the video up in the next day or so - and we're hoping to arrange another session with Adam in the not too distant future!

Some scary stuff - past and future!!! Really interesting - thanks again @JulianO!

Those are cracking images Trevor!

Talk is still on for tonight, banner should be working again now!

I've just noticed that as well - trying to track down Grant to check. we are still OK!

I hadn't thought of that Grant! Yes, that would be much neater....! Thanks!!