Bagginsies

My attempt at Comet M3 Atlas as it passed Bellatrix and the Orion Nebula. I managed about 12 x 1.5min raw images at iso 1600 with the Skywatcher PDS and the Baddaar MKIII Coma Corrector for the comet. Below is a single image edited in Affinity Photo. I have tried stacking in Deep Sky Stacker, but it just always seems to remove the colour/night sky feel that the Affinity Photo images seems to keep. I still need a lot more practice with DSS on comets and my settings. I only managed 4 images with the above settings before the clouds moved in on The Orion Nebula. Again stacked in Affinity Photo as DSS removes the colour/night sky feel (which makes me think I have changed a setting without knowing). It is hard to explain, but it seems duller, with less colour and without the twinkle when I use DSS (hard to explain!) Still happy with my AF images though :-)

Managed to get a clear night, so tried the scope out again, definitely getting more detail in the planets and very impressed with the Badaar Coma Corrector MkIII. All 3 star images are single images at Iso 1600 and either 60 or 90 seconds (Altair, Double Cluster and M13)

I was using the equipment listed in my signature (except the Canon lens') For the stars I used the Canon 60D - 3 x 30s exp @ Iso1600 (stacked in Sequator, final edits in Affinity Photo) For the planet's I did a 30-40 sec video with the Canon 60D (zoomed in at 640 x 480) with a x2 barlow. This was converted in PIPP, to stabalize and allow stacking in Registax. Again, final edits in Affinity Photo (colour, noise, etc) There was a lot of cloud and haze about so seeing was not very good and all targets were low on the horizon. Was surprised with the results due to this to be honest, so looking forward to what I can get with a super clear night!

At last, my Skywatcher turned up! Even though I knew the clouds and moisture were going to stop any real chance of testing the scope, I just couldn't resist having a look through it and getting some pics. Mainly just to get used to it and how it works, try the camera out on it, get the finder scope set, check focus points with different attachments (barlow, coma corrector, eyepeice, etc). Even with a lot of cloud and moisture I was quite pleased! Especially surprised I could see the bands on Jupiter! First light with the Skywatcher 150 PDS.......

Super happy it has finally arrived! My new 150 PDS (only the OTA, already had the mount) Hoping for some first light this week! Cant figure out why there is a mirror on the back though? Heat reflection? (thought they might have put it on the wrong way until I looked inside LOL)

Lastest couple of pictures, both 30sec exp, F8, Iso 1600. One at 105mm, one at 300mm. I tried stacking these, but to be honest still struggling due to too much light. Still a lot to learn, but still happy I caught an image!

A new image trying to get a better foreground. This was before midnight and to be honest, I need a bit more practice!

I must admit, with people saying you needed binoculars to see it, I was also pleasantly surprised when I walked out and there it was! I have Bortle 4 skies here so that does help.

First clear night with no cloud so set the alarm for 0245hrs and I am so glad I did! Just walking out into the garden I could see it above the trees! Absolutely blown away, even woke the wife up to come and see it! Sorry for so many pictures, but I love them all 🤣 75mm F11 5 sec Iso 1600 140mm F5.6 2.5sec Iso1600 300mm F6.3 2sec Iso800 First time I have seen noctilucent clouds! Amazing! Neowise, Venus and Pleiades Wide field stitch of the previous two images. My first view as I walked out! Was in awe! Taken with my Google Pixel 3a What a great view! 🙂

Nice image! I managed it this morning and like you say, so worth getting up. Was an amazing site as I walked out into my garden and there it was!

Whilst waiting for my new scope I decided to try a widefield image of The Moon, Jupiter and Saturn as they came above the horizon. A blend of 2 images (still need some practice). Both at Iso 400 F8, but one is 1/160 second and the other 1 1/2 second. On a big screen you may just be able to make out four moons of Jupiter.

Great image and it gets me excited as I have just upgraded to the SW150750, not here until July though.

Managed to mix both my hobbies today, A Sun halo whilst I was ground handling my paraglider wing. Taken with a GoPro Hero 4 with some slight edits in Affinity Photo.

Welcome, enjoy the retirement and the chance to finally use your scope. 🙂