Let's see your 1st DSOs

[Mark72]

this should have been first mine I ventured out with:

Taken with this equipment. I did not know the cables would be better off not dangling.

Mark

[neil groves]

Hi Guys...I know these are Rubbish but I wanted to upload them here as they will serve as a record of my first attempt at astrophotography early this morning with my Canon 5D on a tripod, the blurry one is at 40mm and the wide view at 22mm focal length, each for about 15 secs, I do have a question though, I messed around with the focus on my lens and got a defocussed image, but the colours of the individual stars show clearer, can anyone offer me a clue as to why? just as a matter of interest really. in particular the 'kids' in auriga at the bottom of the shot, Cassiopeia can be seen top left. oh and how do I start another line in the forum posts without having to type right to the end of the box, i'm a newbie as of today and need to know these things lol.

[neil groves]

Here's my first DSO. If you squint and stand 10ft from the monitor it looks ok. Took it not long after I did the SC1 mod on the SPC 900NC.

(click to enlarge)

Sam

It does look very pretty when you stand back from the monitor, something I might like to see hanging on a wall in a space gallery

[bujin]

My first real attempt at a DSO.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94624506@N05/9644441540/" title="Andromeda Galaxy (M31) by rokushakubo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/9644441540_dcb9fb803c_o.jpg" width="1024" height="682" alt="Andromeda Galaxy (M31)"></a>

It's the centre of the Andromeda Galaxy, taken through my Celestron C6-SGT, prime focus on a Canon EOS 1100D with a 2x Barlow lens (because I hadn't figured out how to detach the Barlow at this point...).  It was a stack of 23x 30 second exposures at ISO 3200, with 11x darks.

I recently bought the equipment to attach my camera directly to my CG5 mount and it's made a huge difference!  The Andromeda Galaxy has always been a favourite of mine and here's my first attempt using my 300mm camera lens:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94624506@N05/9718115757/" title="M31 Andromeda Galaxy by rokushakubo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/9718115757_47d24a4c00_o.jpg" width="1024" height="658" alt="M31 Andromeda Galaxy"></a>

11x 2min exposures, ISO400, 300mm, f/5.6, 5x darks.

The following is a second attempt at processing the same files, this time doing most of the processing in DeepSkyStacker before tidying up in Photoshop:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94624506@N05/9718266517/" title="M31 Andromeda Galaxy by rokushakubo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/9718266517_228a494922_o.jpg" width="1024" height="682" alt="M31 Andromeda Galaxy"></a>

This last image is my 2nd attempt at photographing M31, this time with 62x 30 second exposures at ISO1600, 300mm, f/5.6, with 24x darks.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94624506@N05/9752685462/" title="M31 Andromeda Galaxy by rokushakubo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/9752685462_bc6bba7c1d_o.jpg" width="1024" height="682" alt="M31 Andromeda Galaxy"></a>

[bujin]

Hmmm...  Ok, so the embedding of images didn't work, but at least you can click on the links in the post to view the images!  

[woland]

First pictures... well, here's mine

Taken on 5 September 2011 with 8"/1000 newtonian. The blue colour is quite fake but at least focus was ok lol.

[slickfonzy]

Okay, here's my first effort, rather poor compared to the standard of some of the photos above, but I didn't think it was too bad as the second photo I've taken with my scope, and my first effort at something deep sky!  I'd thrown the scope together quickly after the cloud suddenly cleared a couple of weeks ago, so polar alignment was almost non existent and the longest sub I could manage was 20s!  Only six subs were usable, stacked in DSS with dark frames but no flats.  Canon 400D at ISO1600 on my Tal-2M.

Ian

[Scott]

Okay, here's my first effort, rather poor compared to the standard of some of the photos above, but I didn't think it was too bad as the second photo I've taken with my scope, and my first effort at something deep sky!  I'd thrown the scope together quickly after the cloud suddenly cleared a couple of weeks ago, so polar alignment was almost non existent and the longest sub I could manage was 20s!  Only six subs were usable, stacked in DSS with dark frames but no flats.  Canon 400D at ISO1600 on my Tal-2M.

Ian

 Thats pretty cool Ian, although you seem to have made a common mistake that I'm quite often guilty of. short on time so I rush focus . No matter what, get the focus right or the rest will suffer. It's a steep learning curve hey, but a cracking start none the less .

Edited September 27, 2013 by auspom

[slickfonzy]

 Thats pretty cool Ian, although you seem to have made a common mistake that I'm quite often guilty of. short on time so I rush focus . No matter what, get the focus right or the rest will suffer. It's a steep learning curve hey, but a cracking start none the less .

Thanks, Scott, you're quite right about rushing the focus, at least I've learnt that one early on  .  The more I read the steeper the learning curve seems to get, but I like a challenge!  Now, if only we had some clear skies...

[guiseppe]

Last night I saw my first galaxy, M31! I was so giddy about actually finding and seeing it that I rushed things when it came to taing the picture. That, and I had to rush it because dawn was upon me. It's a wide shot, but it is the first time I've ever captured a DSO on camera, as far as I know at least.

[Sleepy Kiki]

Here's my first DSO (M81 & M82) from about a year ago when I started.

3x30s Canon 60D iso800, SWED80

I still remember that feeling of excitement when I first saw them on the screen!

[Frazcam]

Hello everyone! Only just took this at the weekend - and have also posted it in the beginners imaging forum so sorry if you're seeing it for the second time. I have no idea why I have never though to turn my camera to the sky before but it will be happening more frequently from no on! Absolutely delighted to have found a new hobby, can't wait for the next clear night.

[pallsveen]

Here is my first guided picture taken from my new garden observatory (cropped to about 3MP):

I use:

GSO 8" f5 newton, TS comacorrector, TS CLS filter, modded 350d, 80/500 refractor and HD4110 for guiding.

M51 Whirlpool galaxy (10x180sec)

[AlanThorpe]

All the way back from the 5th of December last year. Part of M45 afocally with the same gear I'm using now (Canon Powershot A610, Hyperion EP's) only the scope is my WO ZS110 not my C8N. I always work on the theory that if you don't post your pics, then no-one's going to give you advice on how to improve them.

Anyways, 13 shots, 15 seconds each stacked in Registax.

(click to enlarge)

Tony..

Hi Tony,

Just wondering how you setup  your camera with the scope. I also have a Powershot, it's a powershot 260, so possibly similar. Just wondering how a non-slr setup works for you...

Great photos by the way! My camera also only has 15 second max exposure.

Thanks a million,

Alan

[mattytheshark]

M57 tonight.  First Deep Sky Shot.  It was about 10x10second subs.  No Darks but It clearly needs some to get rid of the big bright dots.  Happy enough though for a first image!

[Demonperformer]

Nice first image, Matt.  Clearly M57.

I'm no expert, but am surprised at the amount of trailing for 10 second subs on an EQ mount.  What is your Polar alignment procedure?  The requirement for photography is considerably higher than for visual.

[mattytheshark]

Hi. My mount was not very well aligned to be honest and I've been given some excellent advice on how to do tho more accurately.

I have a feeling,however, that the star trailing may be a result of the Meade software not stacking the images accurately either. As you say, it is a little surprising with such short exposure times.

Thanks for your interest in my image, much appreciated!

[Sandancer10]

]Here are my first try's at AP taken 24 October 2013.  Single photo's using equipment in my signature. I still need to learn about stacking so hopefully my next try will be better.

Jupiter

M42 Orion Nebula

Moon

[RobertC]

My first DSO, m42.

[neil groves]

fantastic effort Robert, i'd have [removed word] my pants when that came up on the screen knowing it was me who took it.....well done!

Neil.

[RobertC]

fantastic effort Robert, i'd have [removed word] my pants when that came up on the screen knowing it was me who took it.....well done!

Neil.

I've been desperately trying to get a nebula shot for a few days, i've been working my way around the sky and now know some constellations from sight now so it will help in the future. Thankyou

[kaymado]

Just got my first Telescope. This was taken in my flat Car Park looking over the lights of Edinburgh. Taken with a Skywatcher Skymax 127 on a Az Goto Mount with a un-modified EOS 10D

Calton hill?

[kaymado]

Not my first, but i'd say its my first proper (ish) attempt now that i have the clock drive.
Taken last weekend from the heart of Edinburgh using an LP filter through SW 200PDS and modified Canon 450D - no stacking but added some spikes on PS to make it cuter

I think it's the M103 near cassiopeia but im not entirely sure, my straight finder was killing my neck! Perhaps some can confirm?

 

[neil groves]

a stunning shot Kay, I liked it when I saw the thumbnail, then I opened it full size and indeed it is very pretty with the colours and star spikes.

are the star colours real or did you add the colour?

Neil.

[kaymado]

a stunning shot Kay, I liked it when I saw the thumbnail, then I opened it full size and indeed it is very pretty with the colours and star spikes.

are the star colours real or did you add the colour?

Neil.

real colours mate, i got surprised too when first saw it in pc. must be because the camera is now modded for full spectrum