The "No EQ" DSO Challenge!

[SpaceDave]

4 hours ago, happy-kat said:

But you could screen grab so you could save that way for the point of comparing various process outputs.

I use DSS only to stack.

Good idea, will do! Thanks.

[happy-kat]

If you decide to try Startools then on that software website is a tutorial page and lists optimum DSS settings to use.

[The Admiral]

9 hours ago, SpaceDave said:

Great, I've downloaded DDS and have a video tutorial too

By chance a timely post has popped up which I think illustrates how much difference processing can make.

Don't get hung up on the details, but I think the various attempts at processing illustrate the point. It is often said that the various processing applications have a steep learning curve, more so with some applications than others, but it is worth getting to grips with it as it stands you in good stead for the future. StarTools is easier in some sense because it does all the subtle processing behind the scenes which with some applications have to be manually done. It does require a number of somewhat opaque parameters to be set though, but using the default settings does get you a long way.

Good luck, your journey starts here .

Ian

[SpaceDave]

24 minutes ago, The Admiral said:

By chance a timely post has popped up which I think illustrates how much difference processing can make.

Don't get hung up on the details, but I think the various attempts at processing illustrate the point. It is often said that the various processing applications have a steep learning curve, more so with some applications than others, but it is worth getting to grips with it as it stands you in good stead for the future. StarTools is easier in some sense because it does all the subtle processing behind the scenes which with some applications have to be manually done. It does require a number of somewhat opaque parameters to be set though, but using the default settings does get you a long way.

Good luck, your journey starts here .

Ian

Interesting.
Certainly noticed the steep learning curve with this hobby!

Thanks for the info, I’ll need to put some time aside to practice using these programs

[happy-kat]

I'll add later a YouTube link to a decent startools m31 process later. Some videos are better than others but I thought this one was good.

[SpaceDave]

29 minutes ago, happy-kat said:

I'll add later a YouTube link to a decent startools m31 process later. Some videos are better than others but I thought this one was good.

Great, thank you.

[happy-kat]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPoJ-lMwctA

at the beginning though make sure to select the right option for your data, e.g whether linear etc.

Edited January 25, 2021 by happy-kat

[happy-kat]

I use the bleeding edge version as there are great enhancements.

[SpaceDave]

14 hours ago, happy-kat said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPoJ-lMwctA

at the beginning though make sure to select the right option for your data, e.g whether linear etc.

Awesome. I’ll edit mine using the directions on the video! Thanks. 

[Planitair]

IC5070 The Pelican Nebula H11 Region

Alt/Az Skywatcher GT5

Skywatcher 80mm + Optolong L-eNhance filter

ZWO ASI533 OSC

Taken 30sec subs 60min

70% Moon

Bortle 6/7 sky

Target W/NW

Curves & Levels in PSC2

[powerlord]

ok i thought i wiz doing ok but some of these are great.

beginner. telescope owner for 3 weeks.

Skymax 102, azgti. huawei p30 pro.

having never 'seen' a nebula before, or frankly expecting to be able to photograph one with this setup, i was impressed. most tricky thing i'm finding is focus at the mo.

Really enjoying this new hobby - ideal for lockdown (well.. with backgarden limitations.. im in bortle 6)

stu

[JonCarleton]

M1 - Crab Nebula 130 10-second subs stacked with Siril and processed with StarTools.  Alas, yes.  I know I still have squishy stars.  Auto-focus works, but guiding doesn't.  PHD2 seems to hate my mount...not really designed for Alt/Az, I suppose.

 

Edited February 4, 2021 by JonCarleton

[JonCarleton]

M82 - Cigar Galaxy, 200 subs @ 15 seconds stacked with Siril and processed with StarTools (although I did a quick-and-dirty test process with GIMP that resulted in an image that wasn't significantly different from this one).

I am very disappointed that I got no hint of the nebular flare that is supposed to extend above and below the galactic center.  Apparently, I need many more subs to get that feature.  A shame, as I would be reasonably pleased with this image if I didn't know about the nebula I failed to capture.

 

Edited February 5, 2021 by JonCarleton

[JonCarleton]

M81 Bode's Galaxy - 180 subs @ 15 seconds, stacked with Siril, processed with StarTools.

Edited February 6, 2021 by JonCarleton

[JonCarleton]

Apparently, one cannot delete a bad image upload.

 

Edited February 6, 2021 by JonCarleton

[happy-kat]

when you edit a post you can and you can see the files you uploaded if you rummage in your profile

[JonCarleton]

@Bright Giant:

Probably I just fat-fingered something and created a second post.  Ended up with two and couldn't delete the second one...which was originally the first with the wrong image.

[powerlord]

Last night. Skymax 102. Canon 1200d modified stuck on the end of it, all sitting on an AZ GTI. 40 second exposure. stack of 5 processed in affinity photo. All

 

[Nerf_Caching]

Tau Canis Majoris cluster taken through a Celestron Nexstar 5SE on its alt-az mount. 30 x 30 seconds with an astro-modified Canon 450d.

[JonCarleton]

I got a surprise last evening.  The moon was making dim objects a bit tedious, so I started "collecting" Messier open clusters.  I really don't like open clusters as a rule, but conditions make limits.  In the midst of a quick peek at M-46 I found a smudge.  It wasn't dust or a cloud, so I looked further.  It was a nice little planetary nebula hiding in the cluster.  Imagine that!

NGC-2438 inside M-46 (100 - 20 second images stacked with Siril and processed with GIMP).

Edited February 23, 2021 by JonCarleton

[happy-kat]

Now that's a nice surprise to find that in your target. Moon would be ok but no cigar as cloud!

[powerlord]

any chance of a quick paragraph numpty guide to Sirl ? I've read the tutorials, etc and am none the wiser - it seems to have been written for use by some other lifeform.

 

stu

[happy-kat]

There a guide to using it on startools website under links & tutorials

Edited February 24, 2021 by happy-kat

[Paul M]

22 hours ago, JonCarleton said:

NGC-2438 inside M-46 (100 - 20 second images stacked with Siril and processed with GIMP).

Now that's a nice find! I wasn't aware of that little Planetary but I'm going to look it up for sure!

[sthow]

This is my first attempt at Astrophotography,  using a Star Travel 102, AZ Gti Mount and a unmodified Canon 1100d.

350 - 4sec (1600 iso) light frames, 30 dark and 30 flats.

Struggling to photograph anything else though, anyone suggest another one to attempt?