M31, 56, 92, 101, 102 sweep

[BlueAstra]

Spent the last few clear nights doing equipment checks trying to get guidescope tracking computer/camera/mount setup working right using my main scope. After much frustration I had some success, just have to wait to fix up the actual guidescope now to try it out.

In the meantime I promised myself I would get back to observing with my new kit at the next opporunity. That was last Friday night. Trouble is I get so excited seeing new stuff I keep moving from one target to the next. This means I don't spend much time on each one, as I get it together I will specialise more. Also know nothing really about processing images properly but that will come later.

Anyway here are my 'snaps' of the night. Mosts are stacks of 5x 2 or 3min subs, + 5 darks + 5 flats, processed in DSS, unguided. C8 + F/6.4 focal reducer + Canon 1000d + EQ6. Visual polar aligned and three star mount alignment. Not up to the usual gold standard shown here yet, but does show where I am on the learning curve. Onwards and upwards!