Astro Noodles

I think that would depend on the aperture/type/power of the telescope and the sky conditions. Theoretically my 130p should allow me to see stars to about magnitude 13 in a clear, dark sky.

Hi Jubi I think you are expecting a lot from a single telescope. As a beginner myself, I would suggest you get a modest Dobsonian/Newtonian telescope in the $300-$500 price range. This will give you good optics for lunar and planetary observations. Also, buy the book 'Turn left at Orion' which will give you lots of targets suitable for this type of telescope. After that, if you want to pursue astrophotography, you will need a DSLR (perhaps you already have one), a couple of lenses, and you could consider a motorised equatorial mount such as a Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer or an Ioptron Skyguider Pro. This will give you an entry level AP rig. If you already have a DSLR, you might bring it all in at under $1500.

It is all budget kit. And I have got an observation and an image set up for about £1000. I now have to persuade my missus that the reason I'm not using it is because the sky isn't dark enough. 🤔

Hi What kit were you using? Also, what time were these subs take? What do you think is wrong with the image?

Hi and welcome. Nice kit you have there.

Hi Bill, Welcome to SGL

Hi Darkfighter According to the Stellarium app that is HD234118. it is a K2 type star at a magnitude of 9.69

Hi Fexterity I have no proficiency in astrology, but may I suggest that you look at a free app called Stellarium. It will tell you the Right Ascension/Declination and Azimuth/Altitude of all the stars you have listed.

It seems that up here at 54deg north, I am about to loose astro darkness and it won't be back until mid August. What do you 'Northerners' do during the summer, especially astrophotographers when it is no longer dark enough ? Do you spend more time on SGL/dream of new kit/just go to bed early ?

Hi Darkfighter Is a Hikvision a type of CCTV camera ?

Those are beautiful images Marvin, especially the second one. I accept what you are saying, that processing is at least 50% of the package. However, I am not yet at the stage where I have the image data to produce a nice image. Just practice and some clear nights should help.

Working for a living is interfering with my hobby. 😄

How true that is. Northern England is not great for cloudless nights. What I've also found is that it seems to be clear after midnight more often than before midnight. If I could become nocturnal it would help. It's so disappointing to waste a clear night's imaging when you look at the subs and they are all rubbish.

Yeah, I think that ASIair, Wifi and tablet is the way to go. But that's some way off for me yet. Recycling tub with holes cut in may be a cheaper option for the short term.

Something like this ? Looks like a good idea.

Hi Does anyone use a laptop outside to control their imaging sessions? If so, do you have problems with dew and/or frost? Is it detrimental to the laptop? And how do you overcome the problem?

Thanks iapa, I will do that. What puzzles me is, if you look at the images, the stars streak at about 90deg from the first image. The subject is framed the same and the camera is at the same angle. The Skyguider only tracks in RA, so I think there is something going on that isn't PA related.

I think it is pretty much spot on. Not really had any issues before finding North. I am using an app called PolarScope.

Yeah, I'm scratching my head about this. Maybe something is slipping. I was very careful to ensure that the rig was balanced so it won't be that. I can get better results than this with a rough polar alignment with the Starquest mount. I was expecting a Skyguider Pro to be a big improvement.

I have been wondering why the streaks are going in a different direction. The only thing I did differently was to extend the legs of the tripod. I levelled using spirit levels built into the tripod and mount but perhaps these aren't very accurate. Next time I will spend more time levelling using an independent spirit level.

Hi goddasgirl There is a good app you can get for your mobile or tablet called Stellarium. It is free, and might help you identify the things you are looking at. I use it as do many on this forum https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.noctuasoftware.stellarium_free&hl=en_US&gl=US

😂

Too late. I spent a couple of hours last night on M101. 1st hour 60 x 60sec subs. Star trailing really bad so binned them. This one is 40x 30sec iso 1600. Star trailing still bad so I need to understand what is going on there because I spent a good deal of time getting the polar alignment spot on. so not much improvement compared to the last one. 😞

I feel encouraged to get out again tonight and give M101 another bash.

The 1100d only goes to x10 magnification on the lcd screen. I downloaded APT to help with the focus and had it all set up but the I dropped my camera and it broke the USB port. 😭 So I will just have to get as best focus as I can with the x10 image until I can arrange something else. A member on SGL suggested that I look into getting a wifi enabled SD card. I will definitely be using be using APT in the future.