ApophisAstros

17 hours ago, imakebeer said:

@FunkyKoval35 @carastro

I think there's a danger (and it's by no means restricted to you, this thread of even this forum) in discouraging newcomers by telling them that they must have this gear or that gear - the inference is that there's no point even trying unless you have some mega-expensive setup, which is a real shame as it's demonstrably not true and there's still a lot of fun to be had even with basic equipment.

Are tracking mounts and guiding good? Absolutely.

Are longer exposures better? At reducing read noise, yes, but bear in mind there are also other sources of noise to contend with. Some of these can be mitigated by stacking multiple images, hence my argument for the importance of total integration time rather than individual exposure length.

This doesn't make sense. Firstly the definition of a long or short exposure is totally arbitrary. Secondly the greater the total integration time (however you do it) the more photons can hit the sensor hence total signal must also be increased, no?

My advice for the OP is simply not to be discouraged if you don't yet have all the gear one might desire, but rather to work with what you've got and above all have fun! The flip side is you need to keep your expectations in check and understand that there are good technical reasons why your images might be noisier than others you see - accept these limitations and work within them. Along the way there are plenty of valuable lessons to be learned on the post-processing side (e.g. when working with limited/noisy data don't get greedy with the histogram stretch!) which will stand you in good stead as and when you're able to upgrade.

I am not sure that it’s for third parties to control the advice given as it’s from experienced imagers who have been there and done it. I would just say that it always know youkits limitations as it’s easy to get frustrated and perhaps not stay in a wonderful time travelling adventure with the bonus of beautiful images.

Good Luck for future endeavours 

Charming Potato👍😄

On 05/06/2023 at 12:32, carastro said:

M101 is very faint, and 2secs won't cut it, especially from a Bortle 7 - 8 location.  You might be able to get some of the brighter targets but tracking, guiding and long exposure is really needed for DSOs.    

The good news is that your stars are nicely in focus, and you have done the right thing with calibration (especially flats) and lots of subs.  

A but of post processing would bring it out a bit more:

Great advice Carole having started with DSLRs myself ,

Roger

Perhaps we should start glueing ourtselves to Rockets , OH WAIT no that woudn`t be a great idea....

Roger

Same as Betamax / VHS video tapes , cassette tapes et al. The price of progress.

Roger

Reprocessed using starless images and add reduced RGB stars at the end with tweaks here and there.
Same data.
Dec. 10, 2021

Capture Details
---------------
ATIK BLUE: 8x300" (40') -15C bin 2x2
ATIK GREEN: 9x300" (45') -15C bin 2x2
Atik Luminance 1.25: 8x600" (1h 20') -15C bin 1x1
Atik RED: 9x300" (45') -15C bin 2x2
Baader Ha3.5 nm: 24x900" (6h) -15C bin 1x1
Integration: 9h 30'
Flats: 9
Flat darks: 12
Bias: 10Avg.
Moon age: 4.67 daysAvg.
Moon phase: 25.49%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 4.00

Roger

On the far left.

Roger

Imaged from 15th to 22nd of June in about 3 sessions.
Updated the image with much better stars.
Equipment
---------------------
Imaging Telescopes William Optics Redcat 51
Imaging Cameras Atik 460EX Mono
Mounts Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro
Filters Baader Blue · Baader H-alpha 35nm · Baader O-III 4.5nm · Baader Red · Baader S-II 4.5nm
Software Adobe Photoshop · Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight
Eagle3s Control unit.

Acquisition details
---------------------------------
Frames:
            Baader H-alpha 35nm: 26x900" (6h 30') -15°C bin 1x1
            Baader O-III 4.5nm: 23x300" (1h 55') -15°C bin 2x2
            Baader S-II 4.5nm : 20x300" (1h 40') -15°C bin 2x2
            Baader Red: 14x300" (1h 10') -15°C bin 2x2
            Baader Blue: 13x300" (1h 5') -15°C bin 2x2

Integration:12h 20'
Flats:16
Flat darks:16

Roger

7 hours ago, SthBohemia said:

The image is amazing... astounding... and something that boggles my mind!  Especially from a near London location.

I looked up the camera you used and fainted- In $AUS around $3600!! Which turned my mind to something I read a few weeks ago- being..

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/254950-why-are-astro-cameras-so-expensive/

The link is somewhat dated, but then again so am I. It enthused me to 'lash out' and buy a Canon 1000D for the exorbitant price of UK 25 quid, maybe one day I will place it on a mount, turn on tracking and let it go for an hour or two, stranger things have been known to occur!

The images presented by members is like something from science fiction to me as my only experience with astro photography being from 1967-8 using a 6" newt manually tracked for 2-3 minutes.

Once again thank you for presenting such a glorious 'image'...

Cheers Rob

Dear Rob , I also have that camera and have imaged with Carole and Know how good she is with it , I also have a Canon 1000d that I got from an Astro friend for £100 and intend to use it again in near future , although I did pay full price £2100 for the Atik460 ex and agree and sympathise with you,

regards,

Roger

Scope
William Optics RedCat 51 APO Apochromatic Quadruplet Refractor Astrograph Telescope - RED v1.5

Imaging Cameras
Atik 460EX Mono

Mounts
Skywatcher EQ6-R PRO Synscan

Filters
baader Oiii 3.5nm · Baader Ha3.5 nm · ATIK GREEN · Atik RED · ATIK BLUE

Accessories
Aurora Eurotech Flat Panel · QHYCCD PoleMaster

Software
PixInsight 1.8 Ripley · Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended · Astro Photography Tool

Guiding Cameras
Sky-Watcher Evoguide 50 ED

Acquisition details
Dates:May 14, 2022

Frames:
ATIK BLUE: 12x300" (1h) -15°C bin 2x2
ATIK GREEN: 13x300" (1h 5') -15°C bin 2x2
Atik RED: 13x300" (1h 5') -15°C bin 2x2
Baader Ha3.5 nm: 13x900" (3h 15') -15°C bin 1x1
Integration:6h 25'
Flats:16
Flat darks:16
Avg. Moon age:12.88 days
Avg. Moon phase:96.04%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale:5.00

Roger

William Optics RedCat 51 APO Apochromatic Quadruplet Refractor Astrograph Telescope - RED v1.5 · Altair Astro Lightwave 66ED-R

Imaging Cameras
Atik 460EX Mono

Mounts
Skywatcher EQ6-R PRO Synscan

Filters
baader Oiii 3.5nm · Baader Ha3.5 nm

Accessories
Aurora Eurotech Flat Panel · QHYCCD PoleMaster

Software
PixInsight 1.8 Ripley · Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended · Astro Photography Tool

Guiding Cameras
Sky-Watcher Evoguide 50 ED

Acquisition details
Dates:May 9, 2022

Frames:
Baader Ha3.5 nm: 15x900" (3h 45') -15°C bin 1x1
Baader Oiii 4nm: 19x600" (3h 10') -15°C bin 1x1
Integration:6h 55'
Darks:16
Flats:16
Flat darks:16
Avg. Moon age:7.84 days
Avg. Moon phase:54.82%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale:5.00

Roger

Scopes
William Optics RedCat 51 APO Apochromatic Quadruplet Refractor Astrograph Telescope - RED v1.5 · Altair Astro Lightwave 66ED-R

Imaging Cameras
QHYCCD 183 Cooled Color · Atik 460EX Mono

Mounts
Skywatcher EQ6-R PRO Synscan

Filters
Altair Astro Tri-Band OSC · baader Oiii 3.5nm · Baader Ha3.5 nm

Accessories
Aurora Eurotech Flat Panel · QHYCCD PoleMaster

Software
PixInsight 1.8 Ripley · Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended · Astro Photography Tool

Guiding Cameras
Sky-Watcher Evoguide 50 ED

Acquisition details
Dates:April 25, 2022

Frames:
Altair Astro Tri-Band OSC: 37x600" (6h 10') (gain: 16.00) -20°C bin 1x1
Baader Ha3.5 nm: 21x900" (5h 15') -15°C bin 1x1
Baader Oiii 4nm: 22x600" (3h 40') -15°C bin 1x1
Integration:15h 5'
Darks:20
Flats:16
Flat darks:16
Avg. Moon age:24.25 days
Avg. Moon phase:28.40%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale:5.00

Roger

Scopes
William Optics RedCat 51 APO Apochromatic Quadruplet Refractor Astrograph Telescope - RED v1.5

Imaging Cameras
Atik 460EX Mono

Mounts
Skywatcher EQ6-R PRO Synscan

Filters
Baader Ha3.5 nm · ATIK GREEN · Atik RED · ATIK BLUE

Accessories
Aurora Eurotech Flat Panel · QHYCCD PoleMaster

Software
PixInsight 1.8 Ripley · Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended · Astro Photography Tool

Guiding Cameras
Sky-Watcher Evoguide 50 ED

Acquisition details
Dates:April 1, 2022

Frames:
ATIK BLUE: 14x600" (2h 20') -15°C bin 1x1
ATIK GREEN: 14x600" (2h 20') -15°C bin 1x1
Atik RED: 14x600" (2h 20') -15°C bin 1x1
Baader Ha3.5 nm: 16x900" (4h) -15°C bin 1x1
Integration:11h
Flats:16
Flat darks:16
Avg. Moon age:0.23 days
Avg. Moon phase:0.06%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale:5.00

Roger

Scopes
William Optics RedCat 51 APO Apochromatic Quadruplet Refractor Astrograph Telescope - RED v1.5

Imaging Cameras
Atik 460EX Mono

Mounts
Skywatcher EQ6-R PRO Synscan

Filters
baader Oiii 3.5nm · Baader SII 1,25" 4.5nm · Baader Ha3.5 nm · ATIK GREEN · ATIK BLUE

Accessories
Aurora Eurotech Flat Panel · QHYCCD PoleMaster
Software
PixInsight 1.8 Ripley · Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended · Astro Photography Tool

Guiding Cameras
Sky-Watcher Evoguide 50 ED

Acquisition details
Dates:March 24, 2022 ·  March 25, 2022

Frames:
ATIK BLUE: 24x600" (4h) -15°C bin 1x1
ATIK GREEN: 23x600" (3h 50') -15°C bin 1x1
Atik RED: 600x26" (4h 20') -16°C bin 1x1
Baader Ha3.5 nm: 58x900" (14h 30') -15°C bin 1x1
Baader Oiii 4.5nm 1.25: 19x600" (3h 10') -15°C bin 1x1
Integration:29h 50'
Flats:16
Flat darks:16
Avg. Moon age:21.90 days
Avg. Moon phase:52.61%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale:5.00

Roger

Scopes 
William Optics RedCat 51 APO Apochromatic Quadruplet Refractor - RED v1.5 · Altair Astro Lightwave 66ED-R

Imaging Cameras
QHYCCD 183 Cooled Color · Atik 460EX Mono

Mounts
Skywatcher EQ6-R PRO Synscan

Filters
Altair Astro Tri-Band OSC · baader Oiii 3.5nm · Baader SII 1,25" 4.5nm · Baader Ha3.5 nm

Accessories
Aurora Eurotech Flat Panel · QHYCCD PoleMaster

Software
PixInsight 1.8 Ripley · Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended · Astro Photography Tool

Guiding Cameras
Sky-Watcher Evoguide 50 ED
Acquisition details
Dates:
Feb. 25, 2022
Frames:
Altair Astro Tri-Band OSC: 70x600" (11h 40') -20°C bin 1x1
Baader Ha3.5 nm: 32x900" (8h) -15°C bin 1x1
Baader Oiii 4.5nm 1.25: 30x600" (5h) -15°C bin 1x1
Baader SII 1,25" 4.5nm: 28x600" (4h 40') -15°C bin 1x1
Integration:29h 20'
Flats:16
Flat darks:16
Avg. Moon age:23.83 days
Avg. Moon phase:32.44%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale:5.00

Scopes 
William Optics RedCat 51 APO Apochromatic Quadruplet Refractor - RED v1.5 · Altair Astro Lightwave 66ED-R

Imaging Cameras
QHYCCD 183 Cooled Color · Atik 460EX Mono

Mounts
Skywatcher EQ6-R PRO Synscan

Filters
Altair Astro Tri-Band OSC · baader Oiii 3.5nm · Baader SII 1,25" 4.5nm · Baader Ha3.5 nm

Accessories
Aurora Eurotech Flat Panel · QHYCCD PoleMaster

Software
PixInsight 1.8 Ripley · Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended · Astro Photography Tool

Guiding Cameras
Sky-Watcher Evoguide 50 ED
Acquisition details
Dates:
Feb. 25, 2022
Frames:
Altair Astro Tri-Band OSC: 70x600" (11h 40') -20°C bin 1x1
Baader Ha3.5 nm: 32x900" (8h) -15°C bin 1x1
Baader Oiii 4.5nm 1.25: 30x600" (5h) -15°C bin 1x1
Baader SII 1,25" 4.5nm: 28x600" (4h 40') -15°C bin 1x1
Integration:29h 20'
Flats:16
Flat darks:16
Avg. Moon age:23.83 days
Avg. Moon phase:32.44%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale:5.00

Roger

20 hours ago, Grzegorz Czernecki said:

M33, 96x60s, -15° + calibration frame, 32xflat, 32x darkflat, 64x dark. TS APO 65Q+ZWO ASI 294 MC Pro, HEQ5 Pro SynSacn(mod)

Why so many Darks, i have always heard and thought that anything over 16 you dont gain anything more in calibration , interested to see an image with 16 Darks to compare.

Nice image, either way.

Roger

1 hour ago, Allinthehead said:

I managed to get a couple of clear nights last weekend in the south of Ireland. Conditions were poor with high cloud at times but nice to get anything at all. I'm hoping to start my Autumn/Winter project soon so even though this needs more time i doubt i'll get round to adding to it.

Ldn 673 is a dark nebula of dust and gas in the constellation of Aquila. This molecular cloud is massive around 67 trillion kms across, and it is between 300-600 light years from Earth.  LDN 673 lies in front of the larger Aquila Rift that is part of the Great Rift in the Milky Way stretching from Centaurus to Cygnus.

Taken with my Asi2600mc through a Tak Epsilon 130, 5.5 hrs in 180 second subs

Mounted on an AzEq6

Captured with SGPro, satcked in APP, processed in APP, PI and PS.

Richard.

Great image, do you have to collimate the Tak Epsilon much?

Roger

17 hours ago, Nigella Bryant said:

New dome for the ASC, lol. 

Nice one Nigella , nice and high you will have a great FOV,what camera do yu intend to use?

Roger

1 minute ago, Allinthehead said:

I've been asked by a friend to recommend a scope for visual use. Budget would be £500. Secondhand would be an option too. Would a good set of binoculars be the way to go?

Regards,

Richard.

Yes best to start with Binos 10x50`s will suffice,

Roger

18 hours ago, Wyvernp said:

Just received my heart Nebula print, I think it came out a bit dark but I love it nonetheless. 
 

Cool idea , but i wont tell you what my nephew said he thought mine looks like when i imaged it

Roger

21 hours ago, DaveS said:

Some Astro Essentials bits to pimp out my mobile rig with guiding, plus a guide to Affinity Photo.

Nice , is that guider carbon fibre as it has that appearance?

Roger

16 hours ago, Maho said:

Just received my first scope, a SW 130 PDS. Very well packaged. Thank you FLO!

 

edit - might as well post a picture!

 

 

Hope you have as much fun as I have imaging/ Observing ,

Roger

19 hours ago, TerryMcK said:

One of the main issues I have with the HEQ5 Pro is the appalling Vixen clamp that marks dovetail bars. So I thought time for an upgrade and bought a Primalucelab Big Dovetail Clamp that does Vixen and Losmandy along with a corresponding puck for the HEQ5.

Primalucelab is a good company i have the clamp  and its really well made,spent way too much with them,

Roger

On 22/07/2020 at 11:03, laudropb said:

Hi Roger. Yes I managed a short session yesterday. As you say it does exactly what it claims. There was even a new Sunspot to follow yesterday lol. I don’t think I will be using batteries. I prefer  using the power adapter, but thanks for the advice.

Yes i got that spot as well yesterday , i also now use a power adapter,

Roger

20 hours ago, laudropb said:

One Solar Quest Mount . Thanks to Ant for the quick sale. Note how the sun was shining before unboxing and how it was gone as soon as the mount was out the box.

You will love that as ihave had one for a while , it does what it says on the tin.I must get the power adapter to save batteries, when you pack away take out the unit holding the batteries , just in case they leak.

Have you imaged the Sun or an observer?

Roger

Ditto,

Roger