My first serious DSO pics

[paul101]

hi

These are the my first proper DSO pics using my DSLR and 8" PDS newt.

They have been stacked in DSS and then processed in Paint.net (not MS Paint).

post processing is a bit of a learning curve! but im quite pleased with the results.

Next time i will use more exposures, ill aim for around an hours worth and maybe longer exposures as these are all made up of 30sec ones.

hope you like!

any comments or tips welcomed.

These pics are not as detailed as originals as they would be too big to put on the site.

[jasperuk]

Very nice pics mate.....

Questions do you have good clear low light pollution skies where you are and are you doing it piggy back or prime focus

[paul101]

hi

The camera is prime focus and there is a bit of sky pollution but its not to bad.

[rocketandroll]

Wow, those are great... especially for such short total exposure times!

I'm eager to get out and have a stab at a few more glaxies now having seen those!!!

Well done!!!

Ben

[Psychobilly]

Nicely done..

Basically just need to sort out some flats and your there...

Skyflats would be a good place to start...

Billy...

[paul101]

hi billy

thanks for your reply.

What are sky flats? i tried taking normal flats using a whit T shirt over the telescope but i took them with the wrong iso so didnt use them.

is it the flats that reduce the vignetting?

i took some darks but DSS produced better pics without them.

[Simms]

Love the M101 shot..

[paul101]

hi

thanks for the feedback. i had one more good night so i had another stab at M51. another quite short exposure but i am pleased with the result. i feel like i am learning loads each time.

[dc509]

That's quite a collection - nice!

d

[cloudbuster]

nice m51...better than my first efforts!

[nightvision]

Some really faint deep galaxies in the M106 shot, very nice.

[Zakalwe]

Those are amazing, especially with the short exposures.

30 minutes for M101:eek: I've got over 2 hours and have less detail than you

[Eclectic_Mixer]

Nice work Paul, I see you are using the Pentax K-x, what ISO did you use, I can't wait to use mine with the MAK 127, possibly not the best scope for DSO's but anythings worth a try.

Sorry just expanded one of the images the ISO is there (DOH!).

[coxy63]

great pic's

[ollypenrice]

Good start.

Yes, flats will reduce or remove the vignetting and the odd dust bunny as seen on the pics. The easiest way to do flats is with an electroluminescent panel, the best probably being these, ready to go;

Gerd Neumann jr.-Aurora Flatfield Panels-

In the UK you can get a panel to put inside DIY protection like Perspex, from Earlsmann, I believe.

Aim to get the peak brightnesss to be about half way up the brightness scale of your camera.

If darks are not working they were probably not at the same temperature or ISO/exposure time as your lights. Temperature is tricky with DSLRs because the chip temp changes quite fast.

Looking forward to more,

Olly

[nightvision]

Just been checking out that Pentax K-x on DPreview, it seems to have impressive high ISO noise performance, your images even at 1600 look very smooth.