M51 under difficult conditions

[bazza]

Well, just like Dave (centroid), I too was out on 19th March. Same target!!

I originally went out just to check and adjust my guiding, (haven't done any guided imaging with the new rig yet).

I had complete cover with thin wispy cloud and as Dave's said, the moon too.

Well, the guider got a guidestar, nevertheless and it clicked away. (With such poor seeing, I can't wait to try it on good/excellent seeing).

The result is moderately pleasing....just 8 x 300 subs, in Luminence channel only.

No flats, so sorry about those dust bunnies! Me thinks things need a clean!!

Barry.

[centroid]

Yep, I can see the moonlight very cleary all over the image Barry, just as in mine.

With your shorter focal length, you've been able to 'stand back' a bit further than me, so there's quite a bit more sky showing.

Yeah, either a good clean-up needed, or a 'flat field'

Dave

[bazza]

Dave,

Interestingly, it was took like yours with a f6.3 reducer.....I think because it fits into the Moonlite focuser and so is very close to the OTA it produces something like about f5-f6.

Barry.

[centroid]

The increased magnification factor, is mainly down to the increased Focal Lenght of the 12". 3048mm, compared to the 2500mm of the 10".

Dave

[MikeD]

Nice job, and deep especially considering the moon, Result.

Some flats would be good though.

Mike.

[Sam]

Nice shot! The moon certainly makes it tricky getting anything as faint as a galaxy but you've done a great job.

[LostNSpace]

Nice shot Barry considering the conditions at the moment

Mark

[MartinB]

That's a cracker Barry. Just need to sort out those bunnies

[bazza]

Thanks everyone for the kind comments.

I will sort out that dust!!

Barry.