Andromeda Galaxy M31

[Peter Reader]

Hi all,

Have had 2 nights of faffing about after several months without using the scope, but finally got some good M31 data:

77 x 60s at ISO 1000

I've obviously got some focus issues and some colour gradient problems here... but pretty pleased with this attempt

PS: sorry about the squiggles -haven't taken any dark frames to get rid of hot pixels...

[carastro]

That's very good for 60sec subs. Well done.

Carole

[Peter Reader]

Thank you. Do you think I have reached the limit of what 60s subs can give me, or is it worth adding more data? I don't think I can expose longer than this at the moment with my unguided EQ5 -don't know how others get so much longer!

[JimStan]

Auto-guiders, are the answer ! I also have problems with an unguided Skyview Pro and a 500-750 mm Nikon telephoto. The lens is fantastic, but if I try exposures much longer than 60-90 seconds, the periodic error starts to make itself known.

I also have problems with light pollution, in that exposures of more then 90 seconds are so orange that the desired target is overwhelmed with the sky glow. I am working hard to understand how to eliminate this problem as I cannot resort to an LP filter for a lens that is about 4 inches across, and takes a special filter that is paper thin and held in a special holder.

Well, this should be a topic for another thread, and I do not intend to pirate yours. I just wanted to say that I suspect you probably have reached the limit, and can stack till daylight, but probably not with longer subs.

Any and all other opinions are gladly welcome! Clear skies

Jim S.