Planitair

Hi Paul, what capture Software are you using, Sharpcap Pro is great, also it has an easy PA tool in it, good histogram etc, for about £12 pa well worth it. The 127 Mak is not ideal for DSO imaging, more suitable for Planetary work by the way. You have a great Camera, I shoot without any Calibration frames at all, and just do 30sec subs lots of them in Sharpcap. Clear Skies regards Eric ps: I use the Optolong L-eNhance Filter for most Nebulas, makes a big difference, I also use a UV/IR filter on Galaxies. This Hobby is very subjected when seeking advice, go with what works best for you.

Hi, If you live in the UK then its nigh on difficult if not impossible to learn the night sky with naked eye or binoculars due to our yearly Cloud cover. Get a goto, learn some major stars, you only need to know half dozen, you will pick up more names and recognise more stars as you go along. I f you are wanting to progress into imaging at later date, get a reasoable EQ mount and use Sharpcap pro for all your needs including Polar Alignment whilst outdoor. There are lots of processing software out there, some free to enhance and save your captured images. Eric

Is it really VFM ?, I think it is too expensive, yes it does quite a bit, I tried the trial version but in any case I cannot afford it. eric

Discovered Sharpcap PA and how easy it is, so have decided to have a go at Imaging using my mount in EQ mode, see how it goes. eric

The Square Format 533 is better suited to the 80mm you have. eric

Since 'discovering' Sharpcap pro PA and how easy it is, I now have moved on to EQ imaging.

Good Power runs all night

Why is the Flattener so important ? I dont have an issue with the espirit 80 & ZWO ASI 533 pro, or should I get one for some reason. eric

The new OSC CMOS Cameras are growing in popularity due to ease of use and alongside Software like Sharpcap will give you all you ever need in imaging plus for about £10 pa you get extra features in Sharpcap including the PA routine which is very easy. As for Mounts , I wouldnt comment as I only use 2 OTA (in my signature) eric

I moved away from ASI Studio and now use Sharpcap 3.2, its UI gives more control & PA is easy eric

Plus for Sharpcap

I think the Camera is the problem, what capture software are you using, the images have lots of noise & other issues which could be the camera plus it doesnt help under a big Moon, maybe a LP filter could help. I know its an expensive hobby & most of us have thrown good cash at equipment not really up to the job when we first started out. 50 mins is borderline for a decent image in the conditions you were imaging in, 2hr at 15 sec gives decent results.subs at 15 secs is fine to avoid star trails if not guiding. The new CMOS cameras are popular I know you cant afford one but a second hand one will be better in the long term for you than a DSLR. Are you imaging in alt az or eq, Sharpcap is good software and for the pro version only £10 pa where you can do easy Polar Alignment and have good histograms to play around with, having said all this I go back to the issue of the Camera you are using, maybe someone on here knows a bit more about that make. Good Luck Eric

Thank you to Adam at RVO for doing a quick & excellent repair job for me on my SW az/eq5 Mount Dec Board. Eric

No clear nights here in W/Yorks, worse weather in 5 year🤔

Decent mount/GOTO/ keep below f10/ try for az/eq type mount, az easier to get you going, then you can always switch the mount to EQ when familiar with it. One Shot Colour Camera, Bhatinov Mask for focus, power supply. And be prepared for frustrating clouds most of the year & a Moon lighting the sky up

I had issues with this software when Win 10 updates downloaded. ( did with my previous Atik Infinity) I have a laptop that I now use solely for asi studio and turn the internet wife connection off permanent. As for new releases, I haven't seen one yet worth downloading for the difference it makes. (I am using version 1.2.1.0) I have found the software reletively easy to use after some trial n error, ZWO promised a User Manual/Insructions but nothing as yet. Their Forum is hardly replied to if you have a an issue, regards

IC5070 The Pelican Nebula H11 Region Alt/Az Skywatcher GT5 Skywatcher 80mm + Optolong L-eNhance filter ZWO ASI533 OSC Taken 30sec subs 60min 70% Moon Bortle 6/7 sky Target W/NW Curves & Levels in PSC2

Taken in AZ mode

Taken last night from Bortle 6/7 backyard with approx 79% Moon out Skywatcher Az/Eq 5 Mount Skywatcher espirit 80mm ZWO 533 OSC ( cooling fan off) Optolong L-eNhance 2" Filter 2 Star align (1st Star Deneb 2nd Star Dubhe) Focus with Bhatinov Mask Sent the Mount to target ZWO ASI Image Software 30 sec Subs approx 1 hour total ( LIGHT FRAMES ONLY) (Target good position in sky so Minimum as is possible Field Rotation) DSS, Levels & Curves in PSCS2

I have installed it PSCS2 on 2 PC'S no issue PI is good I tried the trial version, but, very expensive for me to buy.

I have the Optolong L-Enhance 2", works fine to counter LP in my Bortle 7 skies and is excellent on most Nebula. I dont think there is a filter specifically for Galaxies, stand being corrected on that one but I havent found one as yet.

I have had this issue also

If screeching it is a Barn Owl, I have one makes me jump when out in the dark, Tawny do the Twit twoo thing lol, I have one of those occasionally fly past also. eric

Weather has been worse in the NW UK for at least 5yr now. eric