First Deep Sky Image

[Pete D]

This is my first Deep Sky Image of M31. I know its nothing like some of the images on here but I`m quite pleased for my first go and learning all the time. Tweaked it to try and get a bit of colour in the image not sure whether I`ve made it worse.

[Black Knight]

It's always thrilling when you first get a look at the image you were creating. You've got a good look at the dust lanes there, well done!

Your journey to the dark side is complete!

/Darth Vader

[brantuk]

Congrats Pete - good attempt for a first shot.

You may need to address the polar alignment cos you have a little star trailing in there. But otherwise well done

[Pete D]

Had the mount on the decking think it wobbles the mount when I move. But your probably right as well.

[brantuk]

Yeah - deckings never a good idea - terra firma is best lol

[Chris]

Congrats Pete:) Looking at your M31 picture, I wonder how many intellegent life forms their are imaging the milky way?

[jasonp]

Way better than mine ( taken 1st nov ) my focus is out too :S Well done.

[Pete D]

They look like my images before stacked together

[jasonp]

I could only get 5 images of 30 seconds and the sky was awful i could barley see it in the finderscope.

[BigBlueOne]

Hi Pete,

Very nice image, if my first dso is that good I,ll be over the moon.

Like you Im on my decking and its amazing how much movement you get.

BigBlueOne.

[Sierra Golf Mike]

Pete,

Great image well done. What camera and what exposures did you use. I have a much more basic set up and am looking at giving it a go soon.

Cheers

Steve

[Pete D]

I used a Nikon D3100. I took around 30 x 30 seconds and 10 x 60 seconds exposures with some at 1600 and 800 ISO to see which images looked the best. I`m still finding out the best settings to use. Had to do the images in JPEG as deep sky stacker would not find any stars if I used raw images.

[stolenfeather]

M31 always marvels me but I do not have the equipment for a shot such as yours. Congrats. If that's your first shot,.. you;ll be a master in no time!

Isabelle

[Jessun]

Very nice, thanks for sharing! It's a tricky target and it will improve vastly the more subs you get in that mix!

I'd be very pleased with that!

/Jessun

[ollypenrice]

Was this unguided? I think the trailing is just a tracking issue rather than alignment because the trails are parallel with each other. I'd certainly move off any decking as others have said as well.

But... you are focused and you have good strong signal. A very impressive first night out. Confusing at first, isn't it!

Olly

[MisterBill]

Nice picture. Looks and sounds like you are having fun.

Bill

[Pete D]

Yes it was unguided. Some shots seemed ok then some seem to have trailing.

[split_city]

Congrats on your first attempt.

[Star Trawler]

well done on a great first attempt

[darkmyth]

looks good to me

[peterules]

Nice! my first attempt was at the Orion Nebula, i think i should try Andromeda now

[Shibby]

A very, very good first DSO image My first was also M31, however I shall decline to share it in order that I might save myself some embarrassment!