2nd attempt of cone nebula

[mynameiscd (Andy)]

Hi all,
I had another go at NGC 2264 after a rethink.
I had a lot of info to digest about imaging and processing.
Special thanks to Steve and Rowland for all their help to try different ways of processing.
Tried Startools this time.
Still haven't tried guiding or dithering yet but nights are getting cooler and a new laptop is in order before I try.


60×60sec 400iso
60x60sec 800iso
60x90sec 800iso
60x120sec 1600iso
Darks, flats and bias subtracted.
Stacked in DSS
Processed with Startools.
Shrunk and converted to jpeg with PS.

Cheers
Andy

[Mickoid (Michael)]

Nice capture Andy, you collected plenty of data and your tracking looks good. Not sure why you use so many different ISO settings, if I can and if I need to, I keep the same ISO setting and alter my exposure time , I think this helps with the dark frame's calibration unless you are creating different dark frames to match the ISO setting and exposure. I haven't ventured to guiding yet but for the first time this week I managed 2 mins unguided at 1000mm focal length, so I was happy with that. By the look of the stars at the edges of the frame in your shot, like me, we both need to buy ourselves a coma corrector! Keep up the good work Andy, you're heading in the right direction, well done.

[xelasnave]

You have a very nice image there Andy reflecting your attention and effort.
If the outter stars concern you try the lens feature in star tools as past the default setting it can work wonders at rounding up stars...at least it worked once for me☺.

Alex

[sil (Steve)]

Originally Posted by mynameiscd

a new laptop is in order before I try.

lol, yes, new laptops are always needed

great improvement on this data from your first post! no hint of the camera limits you were troubled by, its a shot to be proud of with your gear. this should encourage you to shoot more targets with confidence and comprehension of the work ahead of you and that you know how to proceed.

[Ant0nio (Tony)]

Nice one Andy. Startools is great once you get used to it.
Cheers,
Tony

[RyanJones]

Well done Andy. A huge step up from your first Cone. Great work

[mynameiscd (Andy)]

Thanks Michael, Alex, Steve, Tony and Ryan.
Im quite pleased with the results this time so now to fine tune the imaging.
Michael, with the ISO thing it's more of a test to find a sweet spot.
I've read with my camera its 400 but I was suprised with the 1600 batch so I'll try 1600 again with dimmer objects.
Thanks Alex I will try the lens thing with startools.
Steve I'm still using a 22 year old Asus laptop with a moded cut down version of XP which is very stable, runs on an oily rag but its still very slow and nowhere near enough ram.
Tony I do like startools but its a different way to stretch that I'm used to like in PS or Maxim DL etc.
And Ryan its a big improvement on what I have produced before and what is possible.
Thanks again for all your help and advice.
Cheers
Andy

[ChrisV (Chris)]

Great image and you've squeezed it into the frame nicely

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

Nice work Andy.