M51 project finally started

[MartinB]

Nearly at the end of a long journey getting my imaging gear sorted. When seeing permits my imaging will be based around a 10"LX200R using adaptive optics F5.9/6.7/10 and either a QHY8 or SXV H9 (the H9 for tiny stuff). Setting up has been a real headache but I'm nearly there. Still a few spacing issues to sort and a small software niggle.

I'm going to spend the next couple of months on M51 at F10 with the QHY8. At this slow speed I need a lot of time! Will also be gathering some Ha.

Moderate seeing last night but just about good enough to make it worth a first stab. Only 7x10 mins because of some technical problems so the image is pretty noisy and lacking fine detail but I'm on my way!

(click to enlarge)

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Knocking spots off mine already Martin, just as I expected. Hope it works out for you as it should be absolutely stunning if you can get all the gizmos working together. Good luck with it.

Couple of months!

Kaptain Klevtsov

[centroid]

That's a good start Martin.

Was that at f/10?, if so, the guiding is excellent as when imaging at f/10, there can be no 'slack' in the guiding system.

With the Lodestar being so sensitive, I now find that I can run the ED80 (guide scope) at f/15 (x2 Barlow), which is good for the 12" LX200R and its 3048mm Focal length.

I look forward to seeing your M51 project grow, and I reckon we are going to be quite impressed.

Dave

[Beyond_Vision]

A very nice start Martin cant wait for the next installment. I was looking at image scales with all the combinations of kit I have and was looking at the framing of M51 today.

Regards

Kevin

[RobH]

Brilliant start Martin....that's a corker already :hello1:

What adaptive optics are you using?

Cheers

Rob

[MikeD]

Looks like we both have the same project on the go Martin.

I plan a minimum of 6 hours for the L and only on good nights.

Nice start.

Mike.

[MartinB]

Thanks chaps.

Dave - I was at F10, thanks to adaptive optics. Using a guide period of 0.3 secs and 3 guiding cycles per sec. Would have been much faster but my guider was at the end of it's travel in the AO unit so not lined up flat. this was distorting the guide star. Will soon have this sorted so should then be able to get down to 0.1 sec intervals or less.

It's the SXV unit Rob with the lodestar guider.

[MartinB]

Looks like we both have the same project on the go Martin.

I plan a minimum of 6 hours for the L and only on good nights.

Maybe at the end of it we could combine our FITS!

[steppenwolf]

This is never an easy object but lots of subs will start to produce some real smoothness into the detail. I look forward to seeing the completed project!

[MikeD]

Maybe at the end of it we could combine our FITS!

Sound like a plan.

Mike.

[moondog]

Excellent image Martin - even with a bit of noise. Like the colour.

Can't wait for you to get cracking again with your new gear.

8)

MD

[barkis]

So, this is a serial image, and this is part one. If number one is the beginning, I can't wait to see the final episode.

It's a blinder already to me.

Ron.

[CELESCOPE]

Looking good for starters Martin, and will look foward to the coming images , KK when Martin means 2 months its really about 4 days as thats all we darn well get lol hehehehe .

Rog