1st image of the season

[gary1968]

Well here's my 1st image of the season, and the 1st run on the pier.

The CG5GT was flashed to the latest software and I used Allstar Align for the first time, so this is probably the best polar alignment I have had.

Anyway, M81/82, 30 off 2min subs stacked in DSS and processed in Photoshop. C80ED, Orion SSDSCI camera, 0.5 reducer and UHC filter.

Not brilliant so comments cririsism welcome, but hey, gotta start somewhere.......

Gary

OH, this was unguided as I wanted to see how long subs I could get.

[Psychobilly]

And thats as good aplace as any to start

How long did you manage unguided?

Peter...

[gary1968]

Cheers Peter, those were 2 mins. I did try to get some 5 mins but the clouds rolled in and they were useless, but I could still see stars in them and there was very little or no trailing, to my eyes anyway. Next time I'm out I will try autoguiding again as I think now my polar align is pretty good.

Gary

[Psychobilly]

What are the darks like from the Orion ? and need to do some flast as well ... I use skyflats these days..

[gary1968]

Normally they are quite good. Tonight though I think the batteries in the cooler power supply ran out as there seems to be a quite a lot of hot pixels in the image. There no indication on the camera etc to tell the condition of these batteries. Think I'll try to get a 3v adaptor and run it from my 12v battery.

Gary

[blinky]

Looks good Gaz - I think your focus may not be bang on, get the Bart mask thing on it and you now you have the pier sorted get the Autoguiding running!