What I learnt today - use Bias frames! (M42)

[Peter_D]

Hi,

I've been dipping my toes into DS imaging - because I don't have Goto and quite bad LP,  I've concentrated on M42 for now. Yesterday was my third attempt. (I'm using a Celestron 6SE Ota (f10), unguided Vixen GP mount with SW upgrade motors and an unmodded Canon Eos 60D.) 

Yesterday, I did 110 10s lights and 20 darks@ ISO 1600. I didn't do bias frames (a mistake!). For processing, I used DSS and then Gimp. As you can see, the first image didn't work out well.

Today, I created 25 bias frames inside in my dark basement and reprocessed the images. It made a big difference. I'm much happier with the result.

So, from now on, I will always use bias frames!

Tomorrow I'll try adding flats 🙂

The stars need to be rounder. Maybe I will have to go down the autoguiding route.

Clear skies

Peter

Edited January 11, 2021 by Peter_D