My very first image

[The Jackal]

Hi Guys,

So after months of research and praying for clear sky's, i finally had a clear night in which i took my first image. 

Unfortunately during the process i had two big hurdles.

1. The one was I didn't have a good polar alignment as i only found out after that there is a difference between true north and magnetic north.

2. I need better stacking software as DeepSkyStacker just don't cut it when it comes to proper stacking and editing of images. I eventually took the plunge and got Pixinsight this weekend and mange to do my first image in it.

Anyway enough talking.

The image was shot with a GSO 8" f/4 Reflector, Advanced VX mount and Orion auto-guider with PHD.

Took X30 25 second photos which was reduced to X9 of the best as i had problems with the camera (shutter speed went bonkers on me).

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

VERY nice first image. I would be well pleased with that

[The Jackal]

VERY nice first image. I would be well pleased with that

lol thanks. its okay but editing took forever.

[xtreemchaos]

very nice , i would be proud of that for my first image,keep up the good work.

[The Jackal]

very nice , i would be proud of that for my first image,keep up the good work.

Thank you xtreemchaos. I am currently busy shooting another one for the collection. Will update when i am done editing.

[Spoon]

Great first image! What camera do you use?

Cam

[davedownsouth]

Excellent image, first go or whatever go  .  If you are looking for an alternative stacking / processing program, check out the month free trial of PixInsight.  I hated DSS, but PI is great once you have followed a couple of the tutorial vids .

[Colinlp]

Looks very good to me by any standard!

[The Jackal]

Great first image! What camera do you use?

Cam

I am using a Canon 700D/T5i

[pyrasanth]

Nice first image. You need to look at your tracking as the stars are a bit elongated. You have good colour saturation. It's a great start- well done-it can only get better from here!

[The Jackal]

Nice first image. You need to look at your tracking as the stars are a bit elongated. You have good colour saturation. It's a great start- well done-it can only get better from here!

yea i must admit the tracking was not perfect and i know i can better it. I used a western star which in South Africa was Rigel and my mount settings did say dont use a star directly in the west or east but rather in the east/west.