Peco4321

My attempts last night, both stacked ion DSS and stretched in Photoshop Express: Veil Nebula, 100 x 30 sec ISO 800, 20 darks and 20 Bias, no flats, would have like some colour but un modded canon 1100d I guess is not up to it, anyway, new find for me, easy to get in the area, any suggestions for getting some colour? Andromeda Galaxy, 32 x 30 sec ISO 800, 20 darks and 20 bias no flats, was hoping this would turn out better but full moon and it was late so not enough data, any tips for getting a good Andromeda with my set up, 150p, dual motors, canon 1100d?

Here's another of mine tonight, trying for the Veil Nebula, but this moon is just a bit too bright, will see after stacking.

Either way, beautiful image.

Cracking image @Art Gecko Might have a go myself soon. Love it.

@alacant, just set up, hopeful of some astronomy tonight, and I spun the RA around to be like this from an app, just now waiting for Polaris to appear to finish off. Will report back later. Had to take scope off as I have the weight bar pointing up!

I wish, sure it's better than East Yorkshire ? Thanks for this, next clear night will give it a go.

Just messing and if I do this, unscrewing the polar scope to rotate a bit to match up with the constellations makes it wobble quite a bit, surely that is loosing the polar scopes alignment. Or am I missing the point. IMG_3390.MOV

Just messing and if I do this, unscrewing the polar scope to rotate a bit to match up with the constellations makes it wobble quite a bit, surely that is loosing the polar scopes alignment. Or am I missing the point.

Thanks. That makes sense now, doh!!

Great advice from everyone on both polar alignment and flats, thanks. Lots to try next time out.

I will have a go next time just changing exposure length to much shorter, I read something about doing that, but also read about changing to AV mode, so many views and methods Will I be able to just add the flats to the DSS stacked TIFF result file, or start all over again?

I did do this but may do it again just to check. Here's a flat, camera left connected to scope till the next day, changed setting to AV and with a white pillow case over the end of scope pointing skywards (it was a bright day). RAW flat and one saved as Jpg attached. In dss can I load the stacked Tiff and add flats and re-stack or do I have to start all over again? IMG_3529.CR2

Not sure really as I have a polar scope fitted and get Polaris right in the circle but 30 seconds seems to be my limit. The tripod is level so not sure what else to check. I'll send a flat later.

I managed with just 20 sec exposures so go for it.

Seems the flavour of the Month is the Crescent Nebula, so why not join the party.. This is the first time I have tried this object, I couldn't really make it out visually so was guessing a bit as to its location, I was thrilled when it showed up on the camera screen, so here is 80 x 20 sec exposures, ISO 3200, 2- x darks, 15 x bias, Skywatcher 150p on eq3-2, still not getting fantastic polar alignment, so sticking to under 30 sec exposures,, stretched in GIMP, 2nd pic cropped heavily and messed with a bit too much, but I kind of like the effect. Also, I know I need to add flats but can not get on with them, there is always a dark band across the top, will try to re-process with flats later.

I love taking my set up to the limits, with better polar alignment and darker skies, I hope to do a bit better another time.

M57, 30 x 30sec ISO 400 as the sky was bright this time of year, 20 darks and 30 bias, stacked in DSS and stretched in GIMP. Quite pleased as getting a bit more colour to this lovely planetary Nebula. Is the dot really the left over white dwarf or another star nearby?

M92 last night: Skywatcher 150p on eq3-2 with enhanced motors, Canon 1100d at prime focus, Stack of 60 x 10 sec ISO 1600 in DSS, Master offset Bias frame, No darks or flats, stretched in GIMP a little Seeing was nice even though there was a very bright moon 3rd June

2nd set up for me now I have my new bins, cloud has rolled in though!

Both are cracking images, well done, extra subs really paid off. You can't enter M101 though ?, otherwise we'd have no chance. Great images from our modest kit, it's fantastic. May have to look into guiding!!!

I can't seem to find the thread to enter, which section is it in?

I think you can guess what I'm about to suggest?? Worthy indeed.

A couple from last night, focus a little better this time on both M13 and M57, no flats, just 25 sec exposures (M13 approx. 40, M57 approx. 18), single exposure of satellite that I did not use!, ISO 1600, master dark and master bias from my last session.

M57 Ring Nebula Approximately 30 x 30 sec lights, 30 x darks and bias, no flats, will try and add at some point, camera still on scope. This was during nearly full moon and I think my focus was slightly off, had another go last night and got about an hours worth, so will process later. Full image and zoomed in, think it shows the remnant white dwarf, maybe wrong though.

The old and the new, just for a bit of a comparison tonight. My old 3" Prinz optics refractor and my new (1year old) 6" reflector. The moon looks surprisingly similar.