Padraic M

First real multi-channel integration, using APP and broadband data from three nights of imaging of the Leo Triplet. Getting three nights in a row provided a real learning opportunity, including sorting out some issues with the mount and USB setup. I also upgraded PHD2 and switched to multi-star guiding. RMS averaging at around 0.8". Total integration is 7 hours, comprising: 56x150s R 56x150s G 48x150s B 4x300s Ha Baader 3.5nm Combined as LHaRGB in APP and processed with Starnet++, Gimp and Noise Ninja. Luminance channel created by integrating all channels. SW Esprit 80, ASI1600MM Pro @ -20c. HEQ5 Pro belt-modded and tuned. Guiding with AA Starwave 50mm, ASI290mm mini and PHD2. Imaging sequence controlled by NINA. Constructive criticism invited.

Lovely results. M51 isn't easy.

I've given Startools many good runs with my data and was never happy with it, although I know that others can get great results from it. All of mine look like I managed to capture a pack of Dalmations being evicted from the ISS. The video tutorials will tell you which buttons to press but not what's happening when you do; or what to change if the results don't automatically look great. btw while I get better results with top-quality data like the IKI I'm still not achieving what others can do - this suggests to me that my data acquisition can improve, AND my processing skills can also improve. I've already thrown money at it so I can't blame the equipment any more. 🙂 My best results and the best learning came from stacking in DSS, and processing in Gimp (or you could use PS). It's more intuitive although it takes longer, and is a good way to learn what's going on. I've moved on to AstroPixelProcessor for stacking, gradient/LP removal, and colour composition, and Gimp for final tweaking. I find that I can manage APP better now because of the time I put into doing it 'by hand' in Gimp.

I took some independent advice here in the household and there were wows on all four! But there was strong support for the coathanger (how did he get those stars to stand out?) and the Veil (very dramatic but maybe a bit ominous). Very glad to be able to help you narrow it down. 🙂

Richard it's a very difficult decision to take. I see that you can enter up to three photographs so maybe you just need to decide which one NOT to send???? Anyway, the judging panel is made up of two creatives and two eminent astronomers, so the entries will need to impress photographically as well as be of astronomical interest. I know that the M42/Running Man is a bit of a cliche to those of us in the know, but yours is a spectacular rendition and would wow on the pages of Irish Times. You've got so much detail in the nebulosity, and your stars are pristine. My second choice would be either the double cluster or the veil nebula, both of which look really well and are interesting subjects - possibly the veil shading it slightly for me. The coat-hanger is a fascinating target, but may not stand out immediately to the casual viewer - it just takes a second or two to realize what you're looking at.

Love it. The colours, the detail and the composition.

I see a Viennese Waltz in the centre 🙂 (watched by peacocks and a jaguar!

You did well - very nice edition there! Managed 23:00-01:30 myself until it clouded over. Of course, it was perfectly clear again later but I'd packed up at that stage. Nothing in the forecast for the next week. Very happy to get anything at all.

Last night was the first real opportunity for imaging this year, as my set-up has been causing lots of problems. No moon thankfully, and I managed to get 2h15m exposure on Bode and processed in APP. Imaging: Esprit 80; HEQ5 Pro Rowan mod; ASI1600mm Pro @ -20c; NINA Guiding: Altair Astro Starwave 50mm; ASI290mm Mini; PHD2 Exposures: 10x 150s, Baader RGB 12x 300s, Baader 3nm Ha Super-luminance from all channels Processed in APP, Gimp, Starnet++ and Noise Ninja.

Superb! Great detail and those stars!

Lovely data to work with. Processed in AstroPixelProcessor to remove gradients/LP, and combine as LHaRGB. Selective masking and curves in Gimp, plus a little contrast enhancement in the central spiral arms. Finally into Noise Ninja for a little noise reduction - very little needed really, and that sandy texture in the centre has to be protected.

That's fantastic, congrats on the publication but well deserved. I love watching your progress with the RASA but not adding it to my Want-list just yet! 🙂

Fantastic! It's amazing what you got with 114 minutes, and amazing that you got 114 minutes!

Superb. Love the blue reflection in the flaming star.

When you have it all set up and under load, check the voltage to your mount (hand controllers usually tell you). I have a similar brick, and the HEQ5 had problems with it. Turns out that the voltage fell to ~11V when loaded to 2-3A. I replaced it with a Nevada Radio 30A and haven't had a problem since!!!!

That's fantastic Peter. That's real IOTD material.

Not as exciting as a new scope, but the makings of a new mount have been arriving in dribs and drabs over the last few days. (Nearly) a full set of bearings for the HEQ5 Pro. Might have a crack at the RA axis this weekend. Still waiting for a second taper bearing and 9mm bearings for the Dec worm assembly.

Fantastic! I love that part of the sky.

I had a rare clear night last week and took the opportunity to image the Flaming Star in Auriga. There was a 50% moon at ~60 degrees distance. This image is a stack of 3 hours of H-alpha imaging. I also got 2 hours of RGB, but they were unusable due to horrendous gradients. Esprit 80, ASI1600mm Pro @ -20C; Baader 3.5nm Ha. AA Starwave 50mm and ASI290mm Mini for guiding. Belt-modded HEQ5 Pro. Link to Astrobin here.

Great result! M33 is a tough target, it's so faint.

Imaging M45 for the first time in HaRGB, from city suburbs. The night was moonless but quite cloudy. I was lucky with the RGB, but not so much with the Ha. I've used all of the Ha lights, but they haven't contributed much to the overall image. That's probably not surprising given that this is reflection nebulosity, reflecting the light of the nearby stars. 13x300s Baader 3.5nm H-alpha 10x180s each of Baader Red, Green and Blue 2hrs 20mins in total. Esprit 80, asi1600mm Pro @ -20C, ZWO EFW mini, Sesto Senso 2 Baader RGB, 3.5nm Ha HEQ5 Rowan mod Imaging sequence managed by NINA, PHD2, Stellarium Processed in DSS and Startools Link to Astrobin

New to 'proper' AP in 2020; two samples from Bortle 8 lock-down with Esprit 80, ASI1600MM, Baader 3.5nm H-alpha mono. Both easily-recognisable targets!

Stunning Adam. There's so much detail coming out in the region. So much to see. Your perseverance is admirable! 🙂

Superb result Richard - very impressive. So much to see in there, that you usually can't see in this region. And, an interesting combination process that I must try.

You could check with Lionel Messi. He did the original list called the Messi list. It includes the easiest objects to find like the Moon, the streetlight outside your back fence, and your neighbour's security light. It was followed up on later with the Messier List, but they're much more difficult to see.