AstroGS

I see - is there any tool to “calculate” optimal exposure time for a specific focal ratio, taking under consideration the camera chip?

I have found that 10-mins subs collect more detail than e.g. 2x 5-mins subs. It just works for me, I have a library of darks and bias calibration files and I have never bothered since my old OSC days to experiment with different exposure times. Probably for OIII, longer exposure times seem to collect more data/ detail. Do, you suggest that 5-mins might be better?

Finally! After 7 weeks, last weekend we managed to get a couple of clear nights. I had the Lion Nebula in my list for some time now but, I wanted to wait until it was high enough in the night sky to capture as much data as possible. Lately I am using the WO Redcat61 in combination with the ZWO ASI2600MM + Antlia 2.8nm NB filters and I am super happy with the result, with almost pin-point stars end-to-end. Here is the result of 14 hours total integration time: Ha: 30 x 600sec OII: 27 x 600sec SII: 21 x 600sec RGB: 20 mins each (for stars) Calibration frames: Darks, Bias and Flats p.s. The ZWO AM5 is an absolute gem - offering very good guiding at 10-mins subs consistently.

And it is getting better by the time…..now driving a Redcat61 and full narrowband imaging rig. Looking forward to see if ZWO will eventually launch an “AM7” with larger payload capacity. Otherwise I will definitely get a 2nd AM5 for my 2nd rig.

Thank you!

Hi - a bit out of subject (sorry!). Which weather app is this? Thanks in advance

The star field and the dark nebula + reflection nebula are absolutely beautiful and the framing even better! Well done 🙂

Very nice Emil and very sharp. Good job!

I am definitely not an expert on processing - I just put as many hours as possible (wherever possible) and then prey that the processing will be good! 🙂

I would be more than happy to collaborate to make the most out of the data! Thank you for your kind words 🙂

You are right - I had to push the background to get rid the blue channel as it was super dominant and it was almost impossible with my PI knowledge to correct it, without impacting the Squid nebula. Here is probably where Photoshop can really help with it but, I do not know how to use it.

It is indeed a very demanding target on OIII and when I tried with the 2600MC and dual band filters, it did not work for me. I consider this a good start and I will get more OIII (and Ha) data over the next months. My target here is to get a very a clear/detailed and sharp image of the Squid nebula indeed. Probably another 15-20 hours on OIII and 3-4 hours on Ha, will get a better result.

I had the chance during the summer to spend a couple of weeks in North Greece (Chalkidiki) and under bortle 2/3 skies. The experience was amazing and the views of the Milky Way mesmerising! The Squid has always been high in my list but, never tried it from Northampton as it does require lots of hours (especially on the OIII) and the weather..... well you know. I used the new RedCat61 on the AM5, with an ASI2600MM + the new Antlia 2.8nm SHO/LRGB filters. OII: approx 22 hrs (132 x 600sec) Ha: 15 x 600sec RGB: 10 x 120sec each for the stars The processing has been a huge challenge so far of this target and I will continue working on it as, I believe I can get a better result with my data. happy to get your input/ advice.

Took with me a full setup to Greece and finally shooting under a bortle 2 night sky. Here is a Redcat61 on a AM5, with full LRGBSHO Antlia filter set on an ASI2600mm. My main target and goal is the SH2-129 + Squid that, is almost impossible to shoot from Northampton where is seems that is permanently cloudy.

@Starflyer how are you getting along with the CQ350? I am still in the market of an mid level observatory class mount, that can manage a 20kgr payload with ease.

@Elp you should be very proud of yourself. This is a brilliant image and amongst the best for the SGL Galaxy challenge for this year, in my opinion. Well done buddy.

Thanks @Elp - probably I should have said that I already have a Stellamira 90ED Triplet, which I will replace with an Esprit 120ED and I do have a SW 190MN as well (which I have not used yet). What I want to achieve is to get a better to the Redcat51 wide field (between 250mm - 350mm), that offers better image circle, with better stars edge-to-edge. At the same time the f3.9 seems appealing too.

I currently use a Redcat51 V2 OTA for any wide field project and it is doing a great job indeed. But, since i am using APS-C (2600MC & 2600MM) the stars at the edges/ especially corners are less round and sharp. For that reason, i started looking for a new wide field scope - if money allowed i would definitely go for a Takahashi FSQ-85 + reducer but, new gets close to £4K and it is a definite no for me. I have excluded also the RASA 8 as, i want the scope to be mobile and i can take it with me when i travel but, fast optics is a significant plus. For that reason, i was looking into the below options - which from your experience could cover the whole APS-C and provide the sharpest image. Borg 72FL F3.6 - £2.6K RedCat61 F4.9 - £1.6K Starfield Gear80 F4.8 (with reducer) - £1.4K SharpStar 61EDPH III F4.5 (with reducer) - £810 Askar 65 PHQ F4.8 (with reducer) - £1.3K Askar FRA400 F3.9 - £1.5K

This arrived today from FLO and I am super happy that I finally have the MM version along with MC. ZWO ASI2600MM + ZWO EFW 36mm

If you refer to the median FWHM, usually it is between 1.8 and 2.2. For this particular image, it was 1.91.

Yes indeed - I did use BlurX and the difference was significant. Especially at the galaxy's structure. I measure the Median FWMH from the luminance image and use that metric in BlurX - this is working very well for me, right now.

Managed to have some clear skies last night that allowed me to get the Stellamira ED90 Triplet out and go for the M101 and the supernova. I knew that I wouldn't have too long as it was supposed to get clouds around 1am so no more than 3 hours in total and probably about an hour of astronomical night. 32 x 300 sec subs + 50 flats, darks and bias SM ED90 + Reducer/ Flattener x0.80 + ASI2600MC + L-Pro on a ZWO AM5. Integrated and processed with PI.

Managed to have some clear skies last night that allowed me to get the Stellamira ED90 Triplet out and go for the M101 and the supernova. I knew that I wouldn't have too long as it was supposed to get clouds around 1am so no more than 3 hours in total and probably about an hour of astronomical night. 32 x 300 sec subs + 50 flats, darks and bias SM ED90 + Reducer/ Flattener x0.80 + ASI2600MC + L-Pro on a ZWO AM5. Integrated and processed with PI.

Another great session last night with the Redcat51, fully loaded on the AM5 - actually it might have been the best so far on guiding, with permanently guiding between 0.3” and 0.4”. The mount is definitely performing better now but, I’m not sure if something changed during latest updates (mount/Asiair) or it just needed some time to settle down. Sharing with you some screenshots of the settings for the evening, in case it helps.

Really nice picture - well done!