Lagoon 5/10/20 new scope

[Pepper (Steve)]

This is the second image I’ve taken with my recently refurbished 8inch newt.
Apart from the satellite that snuck in I think it’s not too bad.
Its 17x180sec iso 800. Nikon d5300 unmodded.
Taken just as moon was coming up.
A bit of critique would be nice if someone thinks something is obviously awry.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Steve,
Nice M8 Lagoon image
A bit more detail about how you capture it and processed it would help with some feedback
Capture software ?
Stacking software used ?
Did you use and darks or flats ?
Guiding set up and software ?
Processing software ?

Cheers
Martin

[Pepper (Steve)]

Was captured with backyardnikon stacked in dss, no darks etc.
phd2 for guiding with zwo60mm and asi224.
Did a basic run in gimp. Processing is my slow point atm.
This was on an eq5 Mount.
I have an obs in progress and will get an eq6 for that.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Steve
Is your scope an 8” f4 or 8” f5 newt ?
In any case to sit any 8” newt on an eq5 mount ( smaller than a HEQ5) and guide pushing 3 minute subs with round stars is a credit to you setting up and balancing the rig extremely well
Great work, keep it up !!
In regard to post processing give Startools a trial , I think you will like it , very easy to use , very powerful processing tool , no levels and curves , histograms to worry about , it just works a dream on crap data or good data
I started off with Startools about 3 years ago and have progressed with it from version 1.4 to 1.5 and now 1.6. It’s for both beginner and experienced Astrophotographer alike
Martin

[xelasnave]

Hi Steve
That is a rather decent image given not much processing...honestly get StarTools and do a final adjust via Gimp and you will not believe the difference. StarTools is relatively cheap, really works and easy to learn and use. Further StarTools has a great forum which is very helpful.
I have been thinking about a shipping container observatory...and from following Joshuas fabulous elevated observatory build .I am thinking to stand a shipping container on its end on one of my hills to get more elevation..mind you I would need a lift but mainly a lightning rod...StarTools will improve your images more than a new mount I bet...anyways keep you wonderful images rolling in and progress on your observatory.
Further run the dodge tool in Gimp over the boundaries of your object and I bet you will find more luminosity..be gentle..
Alex

[Pepper (Steve)]

Thanks Alex and Martin. It’s the 8inch f5 newt.
Tracking is noticeably worse than with my refractor on board But not tooo bad.
I’ll give star tools a look, gimp is a bit above me, won’t give up on it though.
I’m gonna need a new mount anyways Alex. I’m starting a new job out of town on a farm and astronomy is definitely on the cards, so the eq5 will go live out there.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Originally Posted by Pepper

Thanks Alex and Martin. It’s the 8inch f5 newt.
Tracking is noticeably worse than with my refractor on board But not tooo bad.
I’ll give star tools a look, gimp is a bit above me, won’t give up on it though.
I’m gonna need a new mount anyways Alex. I’m starting a new job out of town on a farm and astronomy is definitely on the cards, so the eq5 will go live out there.

Steve
If your considering a new mount for the 8” f5 can I recommend an EQ6-R
I have two of them, one in Sydney to carry my 6” f6 newt and the other at my retirement place on the south coast nsw to carry my 8” f5 newt
Can I boast and say best all round 20 kg class mount for the money, belt drive nice and quiet , almost zero backlash , I use EQMOD and Stellarium for Goto and tracking , doesn’t miss a beat , dead on target every time
Still use the handcontroller just for Polar Alignment only


Martin

[Pepper (Steve)]

that sounds exactly like the setup i had in mind.
used stellarium for the first time the other night to find and image ic4628.
i may give you a shout when it comes time to set it up.

[LewisM]

One criticism is it is very black clipped - my guess is almost half the left side of the histogram is clipped.

The object is not to make space black, but to balance the histogram such that the black point is on the very edge of the left side fo the bell curve (at baseline). From there, you adjust the rest, but do NOT shift the black point.

[Pepper (Steve)]

Thanks Lewis. I’m not sure where along the way I did that but I’ll give it another go