AstroGS

One more - played with the curves and darken the background, although I said I wouldn't.

Continuing my tests of the rig at @PixelSkiesAstro, here is a quick iteration of the Hosehead Nebula. It is not the first time that I am imaging this target but, it is definitely the first time that I can see this level of detail. I am sharing the final (quick processed image) + the starless one, which I feel is breathtaking. I am missing more Ha from the image but, it is still nice. Ha: 13 x 300sec SII: 9 x 300sec OIII: 17 x 300sec + calibration frames: flats, darks and bias RedCat61 on a ZWO AM5 2600MM with Antlia filters Integrated and processed with PI + XT suite + Foraxx + GraXpert. I did not try to darken the background as, I wanted to showcase the beauty of the dust. If you can advice on how to reduce the brightness while maintaining the dust detail, I’m very interested to know how 😀

Pat - this was a lazy and quite fast processing via PI as, I was eager to see the result rather than focusing to make it look nice! Star alignement > Cropping > GraXpert > BlurXT > NoiseXT > StarXT > GHS for each Ha/SII/OIII and for the stars > created a Lum from the Ha > sharpen the Lum > Foraxx 3 channel integration > played a bit with curves to darken a bit the background > added the Lum frame via LRGB combination > added stars.

I am lucky to have the opportunity to have my imaging rig set at a remote observatory in Spain @PixelSkiesAstro and with the help of David and Michelle, to be able to learn on how to manage my rig from distance using NINA, PHD2, Voyager (there are still loads to learn here) and etc. I took my rig to Spain about 2 weeks ago and since then, trying to learn how to set things up but, the cool thing is that I am able to image almost every night (bar one night, due to clouds). Probably this is the best "upgrade" I have done so far! The rig is based on: ZWO AM5 WO Redcat61 ZWO ASI2600MM Antlia LRGB Pro + SHO 2.8mn filters Pegasus Powerbox OAG - L + ASI290MM ZWO EAF Mini PC, APC UPS, ASI178MM + all-sky camera Although the moon was high and over 70% full every night, I used this time to learn how to use software and test that everything was working as expected. I am coming from AsiAir and the transition to NINA and etc, was fast but, not without its challenges. Here is the first image, moon was around 80% and I managed to get: Ha: 23 x 300sec SII: 25 x 300sec OIII: 25 x 300sec + flats, darks and bias Integrated and processed with PI, used the Xterminator suite + Foraxx. What I am really happy with, is the level of detail with just 6 hrs of data.

The idea could work for me - i like the concept. But, the imaging sensor is where I found myself saying - nah! This is a pass for me. A RASA 6" though, would be perfect as a widefield astrograph. Perfect i would dare to say.

Rosette nebula is one of my favourite targets and I keep returning and adding more hours in it - this time I found about 2 hours more SII/OII from earlier this year that, I never added to the image before. Here is my (new) version of the Rosette Nebula, integrated with PI + RC Astro suite + Foraxx Script. Tried to focus more on the detail rather than colours. It is really amazing what the ASI1600MM can achieve - I was still using the 7nm ZWO filters - with the Redcat51.

I’m afraid that the weather this year and especially 2nd half of the year, has made it almost impossible for me to image. I managed to gather some good light while I was in Greece for summer holidays but, after that, I had probably 10 hrs max till today. The investment in mono, new filters and new scope, cannot be justified with the almost 15-20 sessions I had this year. I was even planning to build my own backyard Obsy but, I couldn’t justify it at all. This is why I have made the decision to set my rig to a remote hosting observatory in Spain and try to get the most out of my rig. Im keeping a 2nd wide field, OSC setup here for the odd nights that weather will do us a favour.

beautiful!

For many reasons i would pick this from 2023.

It actually makes me miss the Antlia dual band gold filter - it is probably the best such filter in the market for OSC. And it also re-iterates the fact that some times even 2-3 hors of data are enough!

I think a bit of blurx and noisex will make it look very nice!

No they do not charge electricity or any other utilities. These costs are part of the monthly rental fees. but, I agree that the possibility to store frames online as they become available could be an option.

AM5 has the ability either manually or at the end of each session to park the OTA in the home position. The biggest complaint I’m hearing (as I’ve never tried it myself) is that the AM5 is a bit temperamental when it comes to alternative park positions. Re the file management I’m not sure and I will also need some advice from people with more experience than me. But, taking under consideration that the purpose of such a project, is to get as much data as possible as many night as possible, the total file sizes can escalate pretty fast. I only have a few examples, from my own projects, where just the 120 light frames from one target resulted quite a few GB of data.

Bandwidth can be an issue as far as I understand - especially when we talk about 100’s of light frames + calibration files. Of course if there is anyone with a personal experience from remote hosting observatories and can advice accordingly. I would love to be able to have a low spec Eagle or mini PC.

Morning - i am in the process to put together a rig + mount that i will be setting up at a remote telescope hosting facility in Spain. The weather in the UK does not allow me to enjoy this hobby any more (residing in Midlands does not help) and the level of investment so far, in my equipment, cannot be justified with 15 or 20 sessions each year. So, i have reached out to a couple of facilities in Spain that supposedly get over 200 nights of clear skies and with fully automated, secured and insured infrastructure. I did start planning to build my own backyard obsy, with a roll off roof. I even bought a Pulsar pier, adaptor for my mount and i was about to bite the bullet for a ready-made obsy from shed shed shed. But, i still cannot justify this level of investment for up to 20 sessions a year. So, after a lot of thought i will be flying to Spain (subject to space availability on either of the facilities) end of Jan or early Feb, to setup my rig. I will be using my existing available equipment: ZWO AM5 on a ZWO pier RedCat 61 ASI2600MM + ZWO Filter Wheel + Antlia 2.8mn filters ZWO EAF OAG - L + ASI220mm Dewheaters + cabling I am also planning to purchase the following: Deep Sky Dad flat field panel for RC61 - to take calibration frames UPS (requested by the remote hosting obsies) Ethernet Switch (requested by the remote hosting obsies) Wi-Fi Power strips (recommended) My main concern here is - taking under consideration that i am coming from ASIAir - that i am not sure which route to go down, regarding the PC. I will need to be able to control everything so, i would assume that NINA and PHD2 will be essential but, i would also need the PC to be powerful enough, to manage the pre-processing part and the stacking/ integration on Pixinsight so, i can transfer only the master files. So, i was thinking: Either this one https://www.firstlightoptics.com/offers/offer_beelink-g6r5-5900hx-mini-pc_305574.html that has the ability to support pre- and processing tasks but, it will always be a mini PC or this https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/primaluce-lab-eagle5-pro-computer-for-telescopes-and-astrophotography.html The big difference is the price and i would probably think that the Eagle will be great but, i am not sure if it will cope die to memory and the processor with the integration of multiple files. So, what are your thoughts? Am i forgetting something? Does anyone has any advice or suggestion for my quest?

nice photo, the colours are really nice and the background very well controlled - very good and thanks for sharing.

This was a test I did at the end of 2022, where I was playing around a little bit with the Am5, the Stellamira 90ED Triplet, the 2600MC and the Antlia Duo Band filter. Managed to capture 17 frames of 600 sec each + calibration frames. Back then, I did a quick processing attempt but, I never actually spent enough time as I thought the data was not enough for a better result. But, with the help GradientXpert and the Terminator suite, the result is really nice - at least to my eyes - and I do start to like the wide field view of the crescent nebula. I hope you enjoy it as well 🙂

So, in order to see how many SGL members would wish to participate, may I suggest that we start sharing ideas on: 1. Possible Targets: Cepheus Cassiopeia Perseus 2. Focal length: 300 - 500 (?) 3. Mono or OSC or combination?

I would be happy to collate the master files and create one integrated image and then to forward it to whoever does the processing - I wouldn't consider that this is my strongest point.

I do agree that a project like this can be as small or big as we want. I will need to see what will be the best way to organise something like this and then see how many would wish to participate. I ma always open to ideas of course from the more experienced members than me 😉

This is one of the images that inspired me: https://www.astrobin.com/zzoau6/ + the fact that the weather has been atrocious this year and it feels as I never get the opportunity to finish the projects the way I have imagined them. I would genuinely be happy to invest 8-10 hours of data on a target that we would all agree on. The thought to collect 100 hrs of data seems very exciting although, I would agree that processing will be quite the task! It would be great indeed if the mods could help/ advice how we could evaluate the potential of this project.

Not sure yet - open to suggestions. Initially, I wanted to see if there will be some interest for something like this 🙂

I wanted to share an idea that I have had in my mind for some time now. What if a few of us could come together, agree on a target, agree on the acquisition data that each person would be required to capture, share the data with those that are better on processing and jointly create an image that we will be happy with. And why not, if we are really happy with it, to submit it for an APOD or Astrobin POD as a joint effort. I would assume that having more people acquiring data for the same target but, each person to focus on one filter (if it is a narrowband target) or one part of the night sky (if it is a mosaic), it would provide more data to work with. I have seen some great images from other people collaborating on Astrobin (for example), that they produce some genuinely stunning images. Dear moderators - if you feel that this is out of context or placed at the wrong forum, please feel free to manage it accordingly. Thank you 🙂

One night - one target - no filters! This is my take of the Shark Nebula (LDN 1235), over one night and justo over 5hrs of data. Captured with the RedCat61, 2600MC and AM5, processed in Pixinsight without overthinking the processing part that much and focusing on the actual target. This is the cropped version as I wanted to focus mainly in the dark nebula. I will be working on the wider photo at some point. 61 x 300sec 50 calibration frames each for flats, bias and darks. Feel free to provide feedback 🙂

Many thanks Alan - i will most definitely read through this properly tonight. I am very interested indeed! p.s. I have corrected the camera model to ASI2600MM 🙂