Beginner North America & Pelican

[Thematics]

Ok been lurking on this forum for a while looking at all the pretty pics, and accidentally bought an eq6 heh a couple of weeks ago. Still don't really know what i'm doing haha. This was probably 2nd attempt at any imaging, aligning...etc. Actually remembered to align (i think) to three stars this time....after doing my own style of polar alignment, lots of head scratching and 'that'll do's'.

Am using a sony a700 dslr and tamron 200-500mm @200 f5.6, yeh nothing really telescope-y yet but it was sitting on my brothers old 4 inch newtonian, which has a tripod socket to put the cam on. Haven't made a way to attach it straight to the mount yet - Also in the middle of modifying a webcam (well, just need to extend the usb) so i can guide through the newtonian, hopefully, but at this magnification it's not too urgent.

6 x 5 mins

You can sorta see it! A lot better than my first attempt at least - that was only at 50mm, so little detail if any. Umm i dunno i just wanted to post it really, all comments welcome. Not really sure how to go with the colour etc. Just trying to draw out the actual subject right now. Trial and error.

Also found a sort of scraped texture after stacking, visible above 50% zoom, for example:

I used Deep sky stacker without any flats, darks, bias as i don't know what they do yet. Just wandering if anyone knows how to eliminate this straight off.

Cheers.

[ollypenrice]

Well I'm impressed. I don't use a DSLR so can't help with the artefacts. The nebulae show very well and that is the colour I get before adding H Alpha. Yes, quite start!

Olly

[johnrt]

It's a great first effort (wish my first go was half as good as this). Hope you don't mind but I had a little play - just did some star reduction.

[Thematics]

Awesome! Thanks guys. Did feel like a more promising session, things just worked.

And sweet John that definitely helps, seems way obvious now. I'll have a play with it.

[Thematics]

Had a little play, may have over done it. Minimum filter is nice though.

[Psychobilly]

nice start...

Have a look on astroboot for a short lenght of dovetail fix a Ball and Socket head to it and your off to go... once the mount is PA'd and tracking you can point the camera anywhere you like...

This is the EQ3 Pro based setup I use away from the obs...

http://www.graigolaobservatory.org.uk/StufF/The%20New%20Arrival.jpg

Peter...