Peco4321

Here's last nights efforts, not really happy with the Flame, but still enjoyed the session. No flats used so that will be my next mission. Flame and a bit of Horsehead Nebula: 135 x 30 sec at ISO 800 50 x bias Whirlpool galaxy: 65 x 20 sec ISO 1600 30 x bias.

Thanks @Stub Mandrel, I'll try that next time.

I did not have the camera on the scope at the time I took the flats, just the body of the camera in my hands. Also I do not look through the view finder, just pointed in the general direction.

Here's my latest effort, Orion Nebula and Running Man Nebula, 43 x 30sec ISO 800, plus 20 x Darks plus 20 x Bias and for the first time, plus 10 x Flats. Now I may be opening myself up for being told I did it all wrong, but the results are the best I have got so far. For the flats, I was just experimenting and I simply took the lens off the camera this morning, set it to AV and took 10 pictures pointing at the bright Sun - I know this is not the correct way, but I think it sort of worked, please tell my why this is wrong? Stacked in DSS, processed in PS free version. My next learning curve will focus on getting rid of the blown out core of Orion by layering etc.

Same night as I got the Leo Triplet, I pointed at the Owl Nebula, and don't you just love it when you get a bonus DSO, in this case M108. I think having multiple objects in the same image makes for a great perspective. Anyway, I have so much to learn on processing, but the basics are there and for 22 x 60 sec exposures ISO 800, plus 12 x 30 sec ISO 1600, and 30 x bias, I'm again fairly pleased. I had polar alignment quite good that night, any tips on processing will be greatly appreciated.

Leo triplet - 27 x 30 sec ISO 1600 no darks, 30 x bias seeing not great as there seemed to be a lot of moisture in the sky and Leo rising over local town reflecting its light, but this is my 1st attempt at this so quite happy.

So here are my efforts, all with 150p on eq3-2, canon 1100d un-modded, Enhanced motors, but I obviously have to work on polar alignment. The usual suspects, M42, cropped to show Running Man, M81 & M82, Whirlpool Galaxy, and Double Cluster.

Here's mine from my first year in astrophotography, all with 150p on eq3-2, and canon 1100d, no tracking except the last 2 images of M42 and Bodes galaxy. Looking forward to seeing my 2017 efforts now with tracking.

Sorry for my ignorance, what does that achieve? Does it just firm it all up.

So do you mean lining up with the scope? When I image the moon I rotate the camera to give the most pleasing aspect. I guess with lunar imaging this is ok but you're right if I want to add data to DSO imaging I need to think a bit.

Great tips thanks. Will hopefully try it out tonight.

Here's an updated picture of my set up, now with enhanced dual motors. Taken earlier tonight trying to get a bit of the moon but it was a little hazy.

Got my motors fitted now and had a brief go the other night and this is a 30 or 45 sec single exposure ISO 400. Next time I'm going to have a go at getting more and do some stacking. Apologies for the circle, I have this facebook thing going with all my friends were I dedicate a picture of something in the universe that reminds me of them, this is for my niece who is on an Equine course at university, so I needed to show where the HH is. Other objects I have dedicated so far for friends: Kanes crater on the moon for a colleague called Kane Carolines cluster near Caseopiea for a friend called Caroline! The running man Nebula for a friend into cross country fell running The fishes Mouth of Orion Nebula for 2 friends into fishing The Alpine region of the moon for my brother who runs his own ski holiday business The Ring Nebula for a friend who forgot the wedding rings at his own wedding Capella for family who live near Rotterdam in a place called Capella a/d Ijssel I find this facebook thing of mine a good way of getting some info out to people who otherwise would never know what's up there. Maybe it's a bit self indulgent of me, but friends seem to like it ?

Thanks laser_jock99. They're great images of a wonderful target. Can't wait to get the motors fitted to my mount after xmas for longer exposures on this.

Done a bit of processing now, stacked just 4 images of 10 secs, 4 darks and 10 bias, with the crude twisting I have got a reasonable image and I am very pleased. Not Horshead but I think its the Flame Nebula, please put me right, or wrong, not bothered, just would like to know, thanks. Bit more processing.

I had a great session last night the sky was so clear. I tried a few methods with varying results; Camera only on tripod wide field shots of 30 sec ISO 1600. I just can't seem to get a really sharp focus. Will check tonight and process to see what's there. Prime focus 8 sec ISO 6400 twisting the slo mo controls, very crude I know, but I am sure there is some faint red nebulosity there. Again I will check later.

Thanks everyone loads of great advice as ever. I don't have an intervelometer just a cable that I can lock to keep taking shots but no gaps between them. Will just see how it goes like that for now.

This target really excites me and I want to see what I can get with my limited set up. So I was just wondering what you think the minimum exposure time I would need and how many lights etc to end up with any kind of basic image using 150p on eq3-2, canon 1100d. I will have tracking soon.

Watching this thread with a keen eye as getting dual motors for my eq3-2 soon.

Brilliant thread, hopefully I'll be adding pictures once I get my motors.

Got it! Thanks.

Great site but forecast does not match, here's bbc forecast for tonight and clear outside forecast, both for East Yorkshire. What forecast do you use.