M51 with ASI224MC

[PeterCPC]

We had some clear periods last night so I conducted a little experiment with the ASI224MC which I normally use for planetary imaging. I set up my ED80 with the ASI224 to take 60 images (not guided) of 15secs each. This was the result. It was a bit noisey but I did not use any filters and it's clearly not very good but it does show that the 224 is capable of DSO imaging. Next time I would take many more images at 10 secs maybe. I think that the focus was not spot on either as I used the Moon for focus and I should have used a star. Any suggestions about how to improve using this technique would be welcome.

Peter

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Interesting result. I might try that some day with my ASI224MC and APM 80mm F/6 with TRF-2008 reducer (at F/4.8). I have a TEC 12706 Peltier cooler lying around somewhere. Might even try adding that to suppress noise

[wimvb]

Nice image.

There are two ways to go with this camera. One way is to use it as a standard DSO imaging camera and go for long exposure times to get more signal; or you can stack LOTS (hundreds, or more than 1000) of short exposures, and use the fact that these cameras have very low read noise.

http://www.astrokraai.nl/viewimages.php?id=250&cd=7

 

Good luck.

[PeterCPC]

Thanksd Michael and Wim

Yes I am going to keep experimenting with this.

Peter

[PeterCPC]

I had another play with this last night. I tried 20 secs subs but I found it too noisey. I also reduced the ROI - not a good idea.

If anyone wants to try this I suggest:

Keep your subs below 15 secs and keep your ROI as large as you can. Number of exposures - I would go for at least 200 and preferably much more.

Last nights effort from 100 20 secs subs.

Peter

[des anderson]

Great images,both of them.Just shows what results you can get when you think outside the box.Des

[PeterCPC]

Thanks for the comments Des. This was just a try out and not intended as a serious image capture and I would not be happy with that standard of image normally. I shall be persuing this in due course but aiming to get hundreds of images at short exposures but it may not happen for a while now.

Peter

[PadrePeace]

I’m very late to this thread but if any are still interested I posted my first experiment on DSOs with the ASI224MC here.

 

Hope it’s still relevant to some of you. Would appreciate your thoughts if you have time.