Peco4321

Cheers, it's such a great object for both experts and newbies like me. Lovely image you got there. You have made a great point that I am guilty of falling into that trap when imaging, forgetting to observe. I saw something recently I think on "The Sky at Night" where they showcased sketching, and someone said that when sketching, you have to actually look, observe which means you really take in the object. I'm going to take this on board I think.

Thanks @jjosefsen I didn't do anything in particular to keep the core. Maybe 800 ISO helped. I used GIMP to tease out the image as I don't have Photoshop. I may go for the running man separately at a higher ISO to get more detail then merge the 2 images.

86x60 sec, 10 darks and 20 bias, I tried processing with flats but seemed to be worse. I think it's an improvement from last time.

Clear skies last night and was getting 60 sec on M42, little bit windy but that seemed to keep the really cold temps at bay. Really want to try and nail this object so will report back tonight.

Nice.

Nice.

Cheers @Filroden, I keep trying to get decent flats, I will persevere...

I stack in DSS and just use free GIMP to try and bring out the best.

Thanks. I got a comet near this last year. Not the best processing but it was a great opportunity.

I love contributing to this thread though I do feel like I will never achieve the standards of most others. That doesn't really bother me, I just hope you keep offering the encouragement and advice and my efforts don't offend. So here are last nights. Beautiful clear moonless sky in East Yorkshire, neighbours lights were off after midnight and I had nothing to get up for. Eskimo Nebula, owl Nebula and M108, Flame Nebula and a hint of Horsehead. All with unmodded canon 1100d mostly 45 sec exposures no flats and no darks as I forgot!

My latest attempt at M42, 58 x 45 sec ISO 800, darks and bias, flats made it worse!! 150p eq3-2 canon 1100d dual motors.

Thursday nights Double Cluster, always a great target. Managing to get 45 sec exposures regularly now, will work on pushing thatvto 60 sec next time out. This is 35 x 45 sec ISO 800 plus darks and bias. May add flats later and reprocess.

This is one of the most beautiful images I have seen on here, @Nigel G, worthy of printing out on a large canvas.

So here's my Andromeda from last night, stacked 57 x 45 sec ISO 1600, 5 darks, 10 bias and 10 flats, 150p Canon 1100d, motors but no guiding, stretched in GIMP, no where near as much detail as others achieve, but it is better than I have managed before. It misted over a bit so seeing was not perfect.

@Nigel G, you have inspired me to have another go at M31, going out shortly and will try and get as much data as possible tonight, before it moves behind trees.

I managed it and got about 45 mins of 60sec exposures but not very satisfied with results. Here it is anyway, cropped heavily.

School boy error last night, had tracking controller set to the moon and not the star setting, doh. Wondered why I could only get 20 seconds exposures and even they were not great. Realised after a couple of wasted hours. Then got an hour of 60 seconds on M74 so will see later what that comes out like. Must have a checklist in future!!

Clear skies tonight, even if the neighbours lights are on. Going for M74 I think, new target for me. Might take in Uranus if I can locate it as well.

Looking good for later, now what shall I go for, uuuummmmm, thinking of a new galaxy so checking Astronomy Now, they had some suggestions for this month.

Just stumbled on this, what a great right up.

So here are 13 x 60 sec subs, darks bias and flats on this new target for me, so happy with this result, next time out will be more careful with the OTA position! 150p and canon 1100d, stacked in DSS and stretched in GIMP.

Lost about 30 x 60 sec subs last night on the Bubble Nebula as the scope was catching the tripod leg! Got 15 to process, new target so still quite happy. Will post soon.

Will give it a go next time out, thanks. I thought that but can't find anything about one nearby, would have been a nice addition to the image.

My attempt at Pacman Nebula, 1st attempt at this, 120 x 45 sec ISO 1600, plus darks, bias and flats, stacked in DSS, stretched in GIMP, 150p on eq3-2, dual motors, non guided, non modded Canon 1100d, not sure what the line is on the right, half way down?

First real go tonight just using camera on eq3-2 with 18-55mm lens at 55 zoom on Andromeda taking 60 sec subs. Check out DSO eq3 Challenge thread tomorrow for results.