Space Cowboy

Thanks Pete the green was pretty bad in the first sample. Amp glow is my big issue at the moment, experimenting with some gradient removers as darks are not working.

 Gave this a few tweaks :

I used DSS as I struggle to get decent results with as!2 which is much quicker.

I capture fit files though this was mistakenly caught in ser format which DSS wont use so I had to convert to fit format in pipp and also debayer as for some reason the unbayered pipp files did not debayer properly in DSS. If the fit files go into DSS undebayered the stacking process only takes a few mins.

I'd like to try m27 & m57 with my DOB using 1 sec exposures though DSO imaging with the big fella is a bit like riding a camel! The GOTO being more like "Go near".

Thanks Freddie that's a good way of describing my DSO imaging techniques, like riding a cow rather than a horse lol

Cheers Chris yes I used colour noise reduction in image analyser.

First DSO image for some time with the ST102 & ASI224MC ALT/AZ Combo.

25mins consisting of 1 sec exposures. No flats or darks.

Well done!

Found this thread today as I'm considering making a mobile pier. Can't believe this brilliant design only got one comment!

Very interesting to see so many diverse images!

This is my M31 image taken with a ST102, Skywatcher Alt/AZ GOTO mount and unmodified 1000D.

Over 400 25 sec subs making up 2 hours 29 mins of data with 20 darks and 30 flats. Stacked in DSS and processed in CS2.

Thanks Chris! Will be interesting to try some smaller targets with my qhy5l cam if I can tune the GOTO as its not very accurate.

Cheers! 15 secs seems to be the limit for the Dobs tracking. I did try a couple of 20 sec sub's but the stars were looking ropey. A properly clear sky would produce decent results though the focal length does reduce the fov for a large target like Andromeda.

Thanks! Should mention I used a unmodified 1000D.

Having another crack at M31 with the Dob. Collected 20 mins of exposure in 15 sec subs last night though the sky was very hazy.

Stacked in DSS with 5 darks. Curves and levels in CS2 and other tweaks in image analyser :

A 8" Newt is certainly a good scope for planetary imaging. Dror and "Eyepod" have produced some cracking images. It will certainly be a big improvement on a 5" scope.

RIP Sir Patrick an inspiration to many and a one off who will never be replaced.

No worries.

The theory only occured to me recently and I've not yet been able to test it out. I was imaging Saturn earlier in the year in the western sky and the planet was drifting upwards on screen (scope tail heavy) which does not happen without a counter weight so I removed the weight and it became impossible to keep Saturn on screen.

Each time I needed to make an adjustment in alt to keep the planet on screen nothing would happen for ages and then WHAM! It would suddenly fly past like a shooting star. At the time I thought it was something to do with the cold air on the electrics but I think it must have been the change in balance and that the tracking has to be re-set whenever the weight balance is changed.

I think it would make sense for me to re-set the tracking when I replace the eyepiece with my DFK at the start of a imaging session. Might improve tracking not that my tracking is terrible as I was imaging Mars at over f50 but it did need constant adjustment with the handset.

Apologies if this has been mentioned or I'm stating the obvious but am I correct in assuming that whenever the weight balance is changed on the OTA, i.e a camera attached or counter weight removed whilst tracking is activated that in order to avoid considerable back lash issues the tracking has to be re-set?

I'm saying this because my scope needs a counter weight for tracking in the east but not the west so one night whilst imaging an object that had moved into the west i removed the counter weight and experienced massive back lash issues in alt.

Very interesting thread Squeaky. As you say dampness will play havoc with the wooden mount. I always find my mount tracks better in the western sky this being my 2nd mount, the previous one was the same. I only use a counter weight for tracking in the east. AZ tracking has always been fine. Whether there is a logical reason for this I don't know.

As you say Nigel the GOTO is not a miracle worker though to be fair you do have a choice of alignment stars so don't have to use the first one it suggests. All you need to know are 2 bright stars visible from your location preferably fairly low in the sky.

Using the GOTO is rather like a satnav.....its adviceable not to throw away your map book.

Great tutorial!

That looks a brilliant site bravo for your efforts! I'm sure many folk will gain valuable understanding of the universe around us.Added to my bookmarks!

Nice work! Good info indeed!