First time imaging in a dark site

[meryck]

Had a chance to image at a dark sky site for the first time (Møns Klint in Denmark).

Previous attempts were always ruined by equipment failure or fog. This time everything went to plan, and it was an excellent experience. This was also my first time properly using my standalone autoguider (Synguider 2), after getting the hang of its eccentricities in the backyard. Have to say that once you figure out all the important info that's not in the manual, it's s fantastic piece of kit. Not having a laptop out in the field made things much simpler.

Two main targets for the night. Horsehead nebula and Iris nebula.

Horsehead

(40 x 3min subs)

Iris

(40 x 3min subs)

(Skywatcher 200P newtonian, EQ5 goto mount, coma corrector, Canon 450D unmodded @ iso 800, Synguider standalone autoguider, processed with DSS and PI)

I was amazed at the difference a dark site made, and of course the guiding - but regretted not getting 6 hours of data on a single object when I had the chance - was tempted instead to go for multiple, resulting in shorter stacks. But overall, very happy with the experience, and I'll be heading to dark sites any time I get the chance.

 

Edited November 3, 2019 by meryck

[carastro]

Yes it makes a lot of difference with a dark sky.  There are some targets I cannot image at all from Home Bortle 8, but they looks great with same kit from a darker location Bortle 4.

Pretty good from an unmodded DSLR. 

Carole 

[meryck]

2 minutes ago, carastro said:

Yes it makes a lot of difference with a dark sky.  There are some targets I cannot image at all from Home Bortle 8, but they looks great with same kit from a darker location Bortle 4.

Pretty good from an unmodded DSLR. 

Carole 

I think the limiting factor in my setup is the camera now - it's probably the next thing I'll upgrade!

[philhilo]

Good shots on a very similar setup to mine, and just about to post a question......

 

[lux eterna]

To me, just being under a dark sky is such a wonderful experience, and the increased image quality is like a bonus. I have the same (?) autoguider as you (mine is Nexguide), and I really love it for the guiding precision and quick & easy setup. Only thing is the handset buttons do not respond well, but no big issue. Doing portable AP, do you use a tablet or just an intervalometer ? I use the qdslrdashboard Android app, it makes life much easier (provided you have no laptop).

Nice pictures !

Ragnar

 

[Atreta]

Very good images, specially for a dslr. Loved the iris nebula. 

[meryck]

18 hours ago, lux eterna said:

To me, just being under a dark sky is such a wonderful experience, and the increased image quality is like a bonus. I have the same (?) autoguider as you (mine is Nexguide), and I really love it for the guiding precision and quick & easy setup. Only thing is the handset buttons do not respond well, but no big issue. Doing portable AP, do you use a tablet or just an intervalometer ? I use the qdslrdashboard Android app, it makes life much easier (provided you have no laptop).

Nice pictures !

Ragnar

 

Thanks for the comment!

Yeah, the handset is a bit annoying. You have to press hard, which is exactly what you don't want to have to do :). But nothing too bad.

I use a standalone intervalometer (cheap one from Amazon, only annoying thing is the timing is off. If you set to 3 minutes, you get 3.03 - weird, given that's ITS ONLY JOB haha). 

Edited November 5, 2019 by meryck

[meryck]

10 hours ago, Atreta said:

Very good images, specially for a dslr. Loved the iris nebula. 

Thanks for the comment! Iris nebula could really have used a deeper stack, but I was pretty happy given the short integration :)

[meryck]

21 hours ago, philhilo said:

Good shots on a very similar setup to mine, and just about to post a question......

 

Thanks! What's your question? (Not sure I'll be able to answer, but hey.. ) :)

[daemon]

Great images Meryck! 👍

[meryck]

Thanks very much! I'm really looking forward to another dark sky session, but can be grey skies for months on end here!

[celestron8g8]

Nice captures ! When you processed did you watch your Histogram , looks like you may have clipped your BP a little too much . I'm on my work computer so I can't check it to see , just the HH itself looks a little too dark . 

[meryck]

16 hours ago, celestron8g8 said:

Nice captures ! When you processed did you watch your Histogram , looks like you may have clipped your BP a little too much . I'm on my work computer so I can't check it to see , just the HH itself looks a little too dark . 

Yeah, very possibly. I'm no expert in photo editing - I just play until it looks nice - something to work on!

[Alan-2029]

On 03/11/2019 at 22:18, meryck said:

Had a chance to image at a dark sky site for the first time (Møns Klint in Denmark).

Previous attempts were always ruined by equipment failure or fog. This time everything went to plan, and it was an excellent experience. This was also my first time properly using my standalone autoguider (Synguider 2), after getting the hang of its eccentricities in the backyard. Have to say that once you figure out all the important info that's not in the manual, it's s fantastic piece of kit. Not having a laptop out in the field made things much simpler.

Two main targets for the night. Horsehead nebula and Iris nebula.

Horsehead

(40 x 3min subs)

Iris

(40 x 3min subs)

(Skywatcher 200P newtonian, EQ5 goto mount, coma corrector, Canon 450D unmodded @ iso 800, Synguider standalone autoguider, processed with DSS and PI)

I was amazed at the difference a dark site made, and of course the guiding - but regretted not getting 6 hours of data on a single object when I had the chance - was tempted instead to go for multiple, resulting in shorter stacks. But overall, very happy with the experience, and I'll be heading to dark sites any time I get the chance.

 

How did you menaged to get synguider to work?