Imaging with the 130pds

[StamosP]

On 26/10/2020 at 23:02, Spaced Out said:

Last night I used the TS GPU CC for the first time with narrowband filters. Unfortunately I had a terminal issue with my autoguiding, I managed just 3 subs before spending 3 hours failing to diagnose a PHD2 problem ! 

Anyway here's one of the subs with a quick and dirty process. Pacman neb Ha.

 

Very, very  good! I'm starting to suspect there is something wrong with the optics of my pds...

Is it possible to share a single unprocessed-uncalibrated sub? (the best one in terms of fwhm...)

[Spaced Out]

40 minutes ago, StamosP said:

Very, very  good! I'm starting to suspect there is something wrong with the optics of my pds...

Is it possible to share a single unprocessed-uncalibrated sub? (the best one in terms of fwhm...)

No probs, I'll DM.

[kaelig]

This evening, I have used for the first time the Bathinov 3D mask (model found on this post)

Images are attached, I am happy, it is better than old one I have got. 

Many thanks to the person who have made this 3D model & the person who share it on this post.

 

[Whistlin Bob]

The 130pds strikes again!

This is from 28/10, imaged under a 94% moon. I did this one a year ago and accidently cut off the bottom, so it's always been on the list to go back and have another go. This is a HOO blend using the ASI1600MM Pro, with 80x60sec at gain 250 on both channels.

 

[Anthony1979]

Hi... I will be using a d5600 with the 130pds... Which coma corrector will suit this

[Spaced Out]

3 hours ago, Anthony1979 said:

Hi... I will be using a d5600 with the 130pds... Which coma corrector will suit this

Hi, if you search back through this thread there are a few discussions about coma correctors for the 130PDS.

Two of the most popular seem to be the Baader MPCC Mk3 and the Skywatcher 0.9x coma corrector.

[Spaced Out]

A very quick Flame and Horsehead grabbed between the clouds the other night.

Ha 5x 300s + the usual calibration frames. 

[Jamgood]

I had this left over from my old set up and never got round to stacking/processing. A Meteor shooting through Andromeda. A lucky capture.

 

This was using the 130PDS on an EQ3Pro with a Canon EOS200D. If memory serves, it was around 150x60s subs.

[Jamgood]

Had break in the clouds this evening. Not bad for 55 mins. I lost a few frames due to clouds. I'll add some more data to this next time I can get out.

 

Letter Y Cluster

11 x 300 Lights @ ISO1600

10 x Darks

30 x Bias

30 x Flats

30 x Dark Flats

 

Skywatcher 130PDS - HEQ5 Pro - Canon EOS60Da - Astronomik CLS Filter - Baader MPCCIII - Orion 50mm Guide Scope + Orion Star Shoot Auto Guider

 

Edited November 11, 2020 by Jamgood

[Spaced Out]

Out with the 130PDS the other night, a bright moon but that gave me an opportunity to try my hand at ‘proper’ narrowband for the first time.

This is my first ever colour image produced using NB filters with the ZWO ASI 1600. Just feeling my way around with this mono camera tbh, lots more still to learn, particularly with image calibration/processing.

NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula

20x 300s Ha, 20x 300s Oiii, 10x 300s Sii

+ 50x Darks, 20x Flats and 20x Dark Flats for each filter.

 

[Jamgood]

A brief bit of clear sky at 2am. Thought I'd have a quick set up and have a few practice shots on Orion, framing, etc. Managed to grab 35 minutes worth of data between the clouds and the wind. Shooting at ISO1600 completely blows out the core but I'm well impressed at the amount of information in such a short exposure time.

 

When we ever get another good night, I'm going to enjoy spending some time on this one, shooting at different ISO's.

[Uranium235]

Just messing around with the 130, had the idea to mask off the primary a little in order to "buy" that last corner and I think it worked! I think losing a stop hasnt hurt anything tbh:

10x450 (x2 panes) Ha 2x2bin (3.4" p/p) - No calibration

[Jamgood]

5 hours ago, Uranium235 said:

Just messing around with the 130, had the idea to mask off the primary a little in order to "buy" that last corner and I think it worked! I think losing a stop hasnt hurt anything tbh:

10x450 (x3 panes) Ha 2x2bin (3.4" p/p) - No calibration

How did you mask off the primary? I've been thinking about this lately. Better collimation has helped a bit but I'd like to rid those mirror clip spikes. 

Stars look great is that image. Well done. 👍

Edited November 23, 2020 by Jamgood

[Uranium235]

23 minutes ago, Jamgood said:

How did you mask off the primary? I've been thinking about this lately. Better collimation has helped a bit but I'd like to rid those mirror clip spikes. 

Stars look great is that image. Well done. 👍

It was about 20mm, which takes it to f5.9. Not really any meaningful difference to the amount of exposure I give it.

Masking off Ive found, does make collimation easier too. All it is is just a black cardboard ring, that ive stuck to the mirror clips. Simple, but effective. We all know that systems that are of a higher focal ratio have less coma, so... what about adjusting it to a slightly higher (but tolerable) FR so there is less work for the coma corrector to do - in turn giving you a larger useable field.... in this case 100% coverage of a KAF8300 (22mm diagonal).

However, a complete new set of flats would be required.

[Jamgood]

Orion from last night. Very pleased with this one.

12 x 300 - 12 x 30 - 12 x 10 Lights

12 x Darks for each set of Lights

30 x Bias

30 x Flats

[si717]

just adding a few from my images still getting used to it all but 130pds and Dslr

im trying haha great images guys

ive a long way to go and learn

[alacant]

3 hours ago, Uranium235 said:

Masking off

Or simply remove the mirror clips and retain the mirror with three generous helpings of silicone sealant. Eliminates lateral movement too; good collimation at all angles.

Cheers

Edited November 23, 2020 by alacant

[Jamgood]

3 minutes ago, alacant said:

Or simply remove the mirror clips and retain the mirror with three generous helpings of silicone sealant.

Cheers

I've read about doing it that way. 

[lnlarxg]

18 hours ago, Jamgood said:

Orion from last night. Very pleased with this one.

12 x 300 - 12 x 30 - 12 x 10 Lights

12 x Darks for each set of Lights

30 x Bias

30 x Flats

wonderful image! more I look more appealing it becomes

How did you combine the 3 different exposures into 1? Did you simply chuck them all into the stacker? Or stacked separately first, then combined, if so which software did you use for the final integration?

thanks

Edited November 24, 2020 by lnlarxg

[Jamgood]

1 hour ago, lnlarxg said:

wonderful image! more I look more appealing it becomes

How did you combine the 3 different exposures into 1? Did you simply chuck them all into the stacker? Or stacked separately first, then combined, if so which software did you use for the final integration?

thanks

Thank you.  I am proud of this one. 

Everything was stacked in DSS. Each set of Lights in there own Group with the relevant Darks, etc.

Post processing done in Photoshop.

👍

[Spaced Out]

On 23/11/2020 at 14:46, Jamgood said:

How did you mask off the primary? I've been thinking about this lately. Better collimation has helped a bit but I'd like to rid those mirror clip spikes. 

Stars look great is that image. Well done. 👍

I used this handy 3d print file and some velcro to mask my mirror clips....... it works well 👍

 

[Jamgood]

4 minutes ago, Spaced Out said:

I used this handy 3d print file and some velcro to mask my mirror clips....... it works well 👍

Cheers for that @Spaced Out. That would be perfect and better than anything that I could come up with.

I'll see if I can find somewhere local to 3D print it for me. 👍

[spillage]

I think this will be the next thing I do to my little 130. Just need to find someone who can print it for me.

[Spaced Out]

23 hours ago, Jamgood said:

Cheers for that @Spaced Out. That would be perfect and better than anything that I could come up with.

I'll see if I can find somewhere local to 3D print it for me. 👍

Try speaking to teoria_del_big_bang on here (steve), he did mine for me, top bloke !

https://stargazerslounge.com/profile/57911-teoria_del_big_bang/

Edited November 25, 2020 by Spaced Out

[Uranium235]

Bit more effort into this one and should stand up to even the most damanding corner peeper...lol.

8x900s (Ha) 2x2bin x2 panes - fully calibrated, minimal cropping.