M51 - First image with dedicated camera

[R1k]

M51 (21/4/21 and 22/4/21)

Bortle 6, UK

First photons for my first dedicated, cooled camera over the last two nights; this is 5 hours exposure from my back garden battling a 50% (approx.) illuminated moon. Keen to receive feedback, are the settings generally considered optimal for broadband in Bortle 6?

 

Equipment:

- Skywatcher HEQ5-pro (Rowan Belt Mod)

- ZWO ASI 294MC-pro

- Explore Scientific ED APO 102mm F7 FCD-100 Triplet Carbon Fibre

- Hotech SCA 1x field flattener

- ZWO ASI-120MM-mini guide camera

- Skywatcher Evoguide 50ED guidescope

- 2 inch mounted Optolong L-Pro

 

Acquisition:

- Sharpcap polar alignment, ASCOM guiding/dithering with PHD2

- APT image acquisition

- Lights – 100 x 180s at -15c, gain 125, offset 30 (total integration 5 hours)

- Darks – 30

- Flats – 30

- Dark flats - 30

[MARS1960]

Very nice Rik, one of my most favourite objects.

[callisto]

Lovely image  👍

 

Mark

[Luke]

Looks fantastic to me, very well done!

[mackiedlm]

Thats come out fantastic especially for a first with a dedicated cooled camera. I'd say your settings look about spot on.