Beginners M51

[tmarkuk]

Hopefully the image is there now...

This is my first thread here, and my first proper attempt at a deep sky image. I went with M51 as it's in the right place and always spectacular.

The equipment :

Old Orion Optics 250mm F4.8 Europa Reflector

Skywatcher Light Pollution Filter

Canon EOS 1000D

ISO 1600

23 x 3 minute unguided exposures + 10 dark frames

Stacked in DSS and badly post processed in photoshop

For a first real attempt I'm pretty happy with it, though it clearly has a few problems. I need to learn more about processing to darken it down a bit and improve the contrast. I also really need to learn about flat field frames by the look of it.

Also I missed a setting in DSS so it came out in grayscale which wasn't the intended result, I believe I need to set the bayer matrix settings in the FITs menu.

Anyway, all pointers, tips and critisism gratefully received!

[jgs001]

There's an IMG link in the message, but the file doesn't appear to be there or is blank. I'm not seeing the pic. When you look at the output from DSS, it always looks grey. If you are using the DSS adjustments, use the saturation tab and give it about 25%, something I got from here.

[Psychobilly]

Thats a mighty fine first image

Your polar alignment must be near as damn it spot on as theres no real evidence of trailing in those unguided subs.

Peter....

[jgs001]

That's got it, excellent image

[steppenwolf]

That is an excellent image, especially for a first lots of detail in there and more to come out with some sympathetic processing.

[Cloudwatcher]

If that is a first image would you mind not doing any more....... You will put us all to shame!

[tmarkuk]

A big thank you to Steppenwolf for this :

I'll keep my original up there, but if I need a quick show of the advantage of good processing, there it is. I'm going to have to try and replicate that with the original data now!

[beamish]

Wow ! Cracking 1st attempt !!

Karlo

[MikeD]

Great shot.

3 min's unguided what mount are you using?

Mike.

[tmarkuk]

The mount is a Vixen Sphinx SX, bought second hand from Tiny off this forum. I found a never ending list of horror stories about the mount on it's yahoo user group after getting it, but with a bit of adjustment to the worm meshes and a decent amount of time spent on alignment it's performing really well.

It's housed in a roll off roof shed in the garden on an improvised pier.

[gary1968]

OMG, 1st DSO, amazing!!!! Looking forward to seeing more of your work as your experiance grows, very well done.

Gary

[saturn5]

Excellent image,your star spikes are very familiar to me,i assume your europa has a two vane spider which resemble girders and certainly not the streamlined vanes you get in modern scopes.

Its still a lovely scope though.

[Neil I]

That's an excellent first image. Tracking and focus look spot on. Well done

Cheers

Neil

[tmarkuk]

i assume your europa has a two vane spider which resemble girders and certainly not the streamlined vanes you get in modern scopes.

Its still a lovely scope though.

That's the one yes, though at least you know it's not going to move any time soon. I've spoken with Orion about the new ones and they will sell you one and an upgraded multipoint primary mirror cell. Might make a nice upgrade for an older tube at some point.

[Darth Takahashi]

That's a very fine image of M51, especially since its your first attenpt and also unguided.

Neil.

[ollypenrice]

That really is somethnig else! I join in the applausse.

Olly

[ncjunk]

Good pic that, nice 3 minute unguided I´ve not got anywhere near that unguided.

Neil C