Flat frames

[smr]

Hi all,

I'm currently gathering some dark frames but also need some flat frames too. However I don't want to leave my mount and telescope outside over night. I've never taken flat frames before. What is the best way of doing this? Could use a laptop screen with notepad open?

[david_taurus83]

What scope have you got?

[smr]

Z73. It's ok I've just used the laptop screen method. Took about 30 images with the data midway on the histogram, AV mode same ISO as the lights.

My first night with a refractor and an HEQ5 Pro and everything has gone really well. I've gone from a telephoto lens on a SA Mount taking only lights to star aligning on my HEQ5, and taking lights, flats, darks and bias frames! 

[happy-kat]

Could stick the cap on the telescope after your flats and take dark flats, they are easy and quick to do as well.

[smr]

Ok thanks. I have loaded my calibration frames into DSS, which stacking mode should I use for darks, flats and bias, median or kappa? I usually use Kappa Sigma Clipping for my Light frames.