Cygnus Wall .... first time imaging for ages!

[gaz81]

It's been a fair while since I posted an image on here.

I've changed kit over the summer, also learning some new ways of editing... first trying Pixinsight, until the trail ran out 🙂  Now learning Siril, and actually like it (and its price).   

The newer versions of Siril are much improved compared to when I tried it last when I was getting into this hobby last year... or maybe its just not as scary any more!

I moved to mono from a DSLR at the start of the year, but have been on a tough learning curve with that, the EQ5 that replaced a GTI and of course all the software!

I was using a laptop with APT etc... until recently... I like to tinker with tech! 

So the weather in the north west UK has been pants for ages, and over summer here at 53 degrees there is no night.

Now at last there were some clear nights, so time to put my (hopfully) learned skills to the test. 

So my setup right now is as follows:

 

• Skywatcher 72ED
• Skywatcher EQ5 Pro with ADM saddle and pier extension
• ZWO 1600MM Pro
• Stellamira field flattner
• Starlight Xpress mini filter wheel
• Astronomik 12nm Ha, SII, OIII, Green and clear filters
• SVBONY 120mm guide scope... just fitted and not used for this image, used generric 50mm (200mm FL) guide scope
• Altair 290M GP2 guide camera
• Raspberry Pi4 2gb with 128gb SSD running EKOS/KStars, remote controlled with VNC
• Siril for stacking and calibration
• Lightroom for finnal tweek

So EKOS is pretty different from the Windows software I was using to start with.  Once thing I do love is the polar alignment in EKOS, I find if much better than sharpcap.

 

Now... at last some clear and dark sky to try it all out! After a few stumbling blocks with guiding... which numbers wise still not happy with with... but image wise am I got some imaging done!

For the first time had a proper go with Siril also, and did manual stacking so I got my head around how it work and then stacking using the pre-built scripts which was very nice!

I ended up going for the Cygnus Wall rather than just NGC 7000.... it was pretty much straight up, so was probably pushing the EQ5 a little hard.

I managed around 55 each of Ha, SII, OIII.  180 second subs, gain 200 and offset at 50.

being the different channels was cool, and how the really add depth in narrow band.  

I'm happy with my image in the end... the first colour one was as is from Siril and was going to leave it like that, but in the end gave a little tweak in Lightroom CC. 

It's kind of hard to not go to far with he editing though... but guess this all comes with experience.

I added the mono channels, Siril export and LR edit so if anyone is interested then can see kind of how it came together. 

Cheers!

Gary

[lock042]

11 hours ago, gaz81 said:

and its price

In fact, Siril if is free (as in beer), it is, above all, free (as in speech). And if fact, it is not really free (as in beer), because users are invited to make donation (of course, only if they want) but it is a kind of price.

 

Really nice picture btw. I like it.

Edited September 1, 2021 by lock042

[gaz81]

Yup, will make a donation 🙂

Was a paid up user of APT also when I used it. Haha 

[Tommohawk]

Lovely image - I'm set up for planetary at the moment but I'd love to give that a go.