Heskyyyyy

Thank you 😀 I really didn't want to blow out the core because those dust lanes are just TOO BEAUTIFUL

Sombrero Galaxy 284 x 15s subs

NGC 3115 Lenticular Galaxy 241 x 15s exposures

Two star clusters (can't recall their names, NGC something). 482 subs of 10 seconds each @ ISO1600 Quite surprised at the number of stars that were resolved using such a short exposure. I plan to image more galaxies when they come into my quadrant of the sky, so we'll see how the scope holds up and if the focal reducer makes a noticeable difference in detail.

Yeah it's really faint. It's an Ha emitter, so couldn't really get much to show up.

IC 10 starburst galaxy 457 x 10s subs

M46 open cluster 190 x 10s exposures, ISO 1600 Stacked in Siril Processed in Siril and GIMP Canon t3i I get star trailing after 10 seconds, and this is why I LOVE the focal reducer. Being able to gather MUCH more light in that short period of time. So I think a good method to get semi-consistent stars is to shoot hundreds 10 second exposures.

***Nova Cassiopeiae 2021*** Finally had a chance to get outside with the reducer and new software. I've found CPWI and NINA EXTREMELY helpful in alignment and goto's 64 x 25 seconds Canon T3i (600D) Celestron nexstar 6se (w/ focal reducer)

Welp, I'm on spring break now, so hopefully the weather clears up so I can put my new focal reducer into use. I'm quite excited to see the advantages that this will have. I hope that this enables me to image a wider range of objects. I guess the new equipment cloud curse is true...

That's quite an amazing shot, considering that you only had 7 minutes of data. I think this is a great starting point, and if you pile on hundreds of more, it could bring out a LOT more detail with a lot less noise. Good shot mate.

I'm curious to know just how much you can do without an eq mount. Has anyone captured any extremely faint objects like Hoag's object? And has anyone ever attempted exoplanet transit? I'm dubious, but I'd love to know if anyone's tried any of these

Here's a better version with enhanced colours and a bit of a cleaner background.

I decided to re-process my shot of Messier 10, this time using Siril and GIMP. Siril has made processing a lot easier, and I've been able to pull out more detail than I'd expected for a 10 second exposure. If you look closely, you can even see a few blue stragglers hanging around the core of the cluster. I also recently acquired Celestron's f6.3 focal reducer, so when I'm able to, I'll be able to continue wrestling with this hobby, with slightly less headaches. To those who HAVE the 6.3 reducer, has it made a noticeable difference with exposure time/light gathering ?

Will do. Thanks

I just want to say thank you y'all for the tips so far on post processing. I'm likely to be getting an eq mount by summer next year, so these tips will totally come in handy. Please keep it up

Not at all! Very very nice

Messier 10 Globular cluster, with 115 x 10 second subs at iso 3200, moon very nearby. A bit of amp glow in the bottom left I just noticed, so gotta keep an eye on those in the future to crop out. I'd say this is a very big improvement from my messier 3.

Cigar Galaxy, with 17 minutes worth of exposures.

About 18 mins. I use GIMP to process. For all of y'all too, y'all have any tips for better results? I live far up north such that it never gets completely dark at night in the summer, and a target in the North really shows that blue. bodes galaxy.TIF

Bode's Galaxy. Avoiding Polaris as an alignment star was extremely wise, as I was able to get all 15 second exposures (ISO 1600) with minimal to zero trailing. 71 subs. Target was to the North, so I couldn't really get rid of the blue background, or maybe I'm just bad at processing 😛

Very encouraging. I think if possible I'll get data of the same target over multiple clear nights.

Very nice capture. Alright, thanks

Thanks a lot for the helpful advice. I'll try to avoid Polaris next time I can get out. I'll also keep playing around with exposure times to try to find the ultimate limit for my telescope.

Which stars did you use to align the nexstar normally? I'm thinking the reason my subs are so short are because I usually use Polaris as an alignment star. Thanks