First M51 & M3, 2nd M81, M82

[Uranium235]

Last night was very clear (if a little cold), Ive managed to improve my previous efforts on M81 & M82 with better framing and 45 min worth of subs.

I was also working on M51 when I had an unexplained loss of power to the mount (i think the power cable is on its way out), so imaging of that object got cut a bit short. Lastly, i swung round to M3 for a quick 15min blast.... and that was my biggest surprise of the night, for such a short sub time, I got quite a lot

[Uranium235]

Managed to takes some flats using the pc monitor... wow.. it really does make a difference!

[Psychobilly]

Yep it certainly does

Peter...

[Uranium235]

Thanks peter! dunno why i was so scared of flats in the first place...lol..

Its another good nite, im out having another bash @ M51 at tho mo (live from th3 shed...lol), gonna try for 90 min of data this time got good focus too... better make the most of it!

I tried C5 first, did a 2 min sub but didnt get anything... dunno why its having probs with caldwell objects - it finds the messier ones well enough

[Psychobilly]

I'm an hour into IC443-444 only another 8 or 9 to go...

[gary1968]

They are looking good. I am an hour into a 3 hour run on M51, sitting in my warmroom just now, 1st time I have ventured into there, usually sit out at the pier......

Thanks for sharing.

Gary

[anthony]

A nice series there and the flats have made a huge difference. From the pc monitor too!? Didn't know it was such an effective way.

I noticed that focus was a bit out on M3. The brighter star on the lower side shows two sets of diffraction spikes. Ignore me if I am pointing out what you already know. It would have made the M3 a little better. Gonna have a go at m3 myself after seeing that!

Anthony