Hi JP, I think some of the guys centre the star and then defocus to make a 'large circle" which makes it easier to judge when you are centred. Hope this makes sense.
Cheers, Richard
Last edited by croweater; 19-04-2020 at 04:29 PM.
Reason: Spell error
I agree the 7 shape is classic movement usually for me at the beginning or end of an exposure. Sometimes mirror slap without a remote mirror lift and delay setting or leaving a DSLR on live view can do this , or just not leaving a settle time between shots.
Very clear last night here and no wind and so I tested some Ha and Oiii gain settings on my favourite target . Cloudy now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulSthcoast
Hi everyone,
so it was day 4 of self isolation, and the night was looking promising.
The wind had come up, so I opted for a refractor.
Target was Orion again.
This time using a modded DSLR for imaging.
It was good to be communicating with members who were also out
enjoying the sky, sharing texts and such through the night.
Images were taken using Astro Photography Tools.
I have posted a sub ISO 6400 30 seconds in the hope of having
some insight as to the strange `7` shapes in the stars.
I am thinking it may be the lack of guiding at that point ?
I'm up for this tonight. The clouds have cleared in Brisbane. A nice evening of well known doubles and Showpiece DSO's with my Skywatcher 130mm F5 Newt on Star Discovery mount.
Ok John, I have managed to split that Double in Vela (to the Haas figure eight criteria). The sky is swimming around abit and it will get better later i am sure. But i have them separating at 162x with my 8" f12 Cassegrain.
I will return to Alherem later tonight when higher magnification might be feasible.
Well done Glen. Any detection at 165X indicates sound optics on the Cass. Last night I observed this star split at 175x in my 106AT. Seeing was the best so far this month, though not quite sub arc second. Tonight is looking a little more clouded.
it had to happen, its pouring here...…...again....
Might be a good night to look at data and get my head around
stacking and processing now I have some images to use.
Does this mean the Party is over.....
or just beginning ?
Paul.
Paul, I think we can call this one over. That rain and cloud is moving up the coast and the forecast for the next couple of days does not look good for astronomy.
Anyone with something to post up from tonight, please go ahead.
I will sign off.
Thanks to all that participated and we have to do it again soon. Cheers
Still banging away here. Been going non stop since dark. Just wide field which I like. I hope it holds as good as this for tomorrow as I think I can have the scopes set up tomorrow. An early trip to Bunnings for a few things which should see both piers lined up. Bit of grinding bit more fibre glass should all work.
Alex
I not only enjoyed it, but also learnt a lot from fellow Ice In Space members along the way.
What a great Community we have here, and amongst all that is happening
with our World and the current events, it was wonderful to be part of something special.
Keep well, stay safe.
Paul.
Last edited by PaulSthcoast; 20-04-2020 at 12:32 AM.
Still banging away here. Been going non stop since dark. Just wide field which I like. I hope it holds as good as this for tomorrow as I think I can have the scopes set up tomorrow. An early trip to Bunnings for a few things which should see both piers lined up. Bit of grinding bit more fibre glass should all work.
Alex
Sounds like such a nice day, Alex! Hope it all goes smoothly mate
I inched further toward a good set up last night, had a decent alignment done, could slew to stars and see them in my 48deg FOV 24mm EP, so thats alright. The clouds came through as soon as I had confirmed that it was good, but still, I was happy. I think I got a quick look at NGC3368 toward the north at around 9:30, though by the time I grabbed my barlow to get in closer the clouds had come across.
Thanks to everyone who has given me tips on my set up. I agree with Paul, feeling really lucky to have a community like this!
Spent so much time on the eq6 mount yesterday and it is still a whisker off.
Worse still the eq5 is to low for polemater so today rebuilding the pier by extending it 5 inches higher...so lots of fun..astronomy all day and all night..just the way I like it.
Alex
Well not for me. It's a great night perfect seeing and I finally got the 80mm running and working on Eta only blue to go and I will call it a night.
Alex
Good on you Alex. I have been out as well, just finished trying to chase down the Encke Gap on Saturn's rings. I am glad you are enjoying perfect Seeing, too much moisture in the air here (88% humidity right now) but it was in the 30% range all day long), that is a byproduct of living on the water.
I am turning in now. Hope you have the Blue finished now. Later.
Another nice night...chasing the chicken..but I was too tired to function very efficiently and turned in at midnight.
Processing now but doesn't look much.
Alex
Well I missed the chickens head last night so I am doing it all again tonight. It is a fantastic night here...so far.
Anyone else having any luck?
Alex
Sensational night , seeing is superb but cloud is due to roll in at 11pm so capturing M68 and NGC 5139 Omega Centauri with the 8” f5 newt
A glob night tonight , galaxies will have to wait until we get a clear night through to the early hours
I agree that the Seeing has been good tonight, around here. I used the early dark hours to tune my polar alignment a bit more exactly, and had a go at splitting a few tighter doubles, like Porrima and Menkent, using the 8" f5 Newt - which pretty much confirms the Seeing is ok. Going to get some sleep and then back out at 3am to have a go at the Encke Gap on Saturn's A-ring, if the Seeing holds up till then, and no clouds appear.