Clear Night 1st go at a dso (M42)

[dazza1639]

Clear night up here in Manchester. I set up my little scope and had a crack at my first DSO. I used my Sony DSC-W1 on a photographers tripod staring into the 25mm eyepiece of my scope to these 15 second exposures at iso400. They're a bit blury it think that is for a couple of reasons, 1 My scope could do with colimating & 2 Having the camera set Afocally on a seperate tripod means the the RA Drive is moving the eyepiece away from the camera during the exposure, hence only 15 seconds not 30. I really need to get a mounting bracket for my camera.

Anyway here are the pics, please be kind the are my first go at a DSO.

[SteelRat]

Yup - I reckon with a bracket you should do pretty well! Good first crack matey - get a bracket and keep em coming 8)

[geppetto]

First DSO is an important step and you got one Dazza

Clamp the camera to the scope and your away mate.

Nice one

[Caz]

You could always try hand holding the camera to the ep, instead of using the tripod, may be easier to adjust with the movement of the scope... Just a suggestion until your brackett arrives

[AndyM]

As the others have said a bracket is essential. Also use the self timer function to help eliminate camera shake.

Great first try at M42 though. 8)

Andy.