What, no clouds? Quick, let's image... M104!

[cybereye]

Hello all!!

Finally the clouds parted and I managed to get the scope out and image. It feels such a long time since I last imaged...

M104, also known as the Sombrero Galaxy ....is this where I say " com out little grazhoppa, we wont hurt you?"... was the target for the night. I was very excited to see the fainter galaxy at about 5 o'clock but I think I need more than 3 hours of data from my backyard here in Brisbane. I've also included my last two attempts at imaging M104 for reference sake.

Details are as follows...

Telescope: GSO RC8 (8" Ritchey-Chretien)
FL: 1624mm, f/8
Mount: HEQ5 Pro
36 x 5min exposures
Darks, flats and flat darks.
Guiding using PHD2

[alistairsam]

Looks great Mario, steady improvement over the 3 attempts.
you've got some nice detail in there.

Cheers
Alistair

[LewisM]

Oh yeah, last night was wonderful - first cloud free (almost) night in what seems aeons.

BUT...

I have not freaking telescope!

Sold the FSQ106 and reacquired my FL102S, and it's still in the mail.

Life is a cow.

Nice GX Mario.

[cybereye]

Alistair,

Thanks for the compliments! :D I've really up the ante with my imaging in regards to the amount of software I'm running and I'm waiting for the laptop to yell "ENOUGH!". I have Stellarium Scope and Stellarium controlling the scope using EQMOD. I have guiding being handled by PHD2, EZCAP for imaging and Astrotortilla to help with my search for targets. Apparently the next release of EZCAP, QHY's proprietary capture software, will connect with PHD2 and dither. This should then help with increasing the resolution of my images...



Lewis, thanks for the compliment. I'm not sure what a "GX" is but I'll take whatever I can! :lol:

Bad timing for the scope - we've had months and months of clouds and we finally get a couple of clear nights and where's your scope? It's "in the mail"! I don't know what it's like up the sunny coast but there's high cloud here in Brissie at the moment so the pressure's off for the time being...

Cheers,
Mario

[LewisM]

GX - Galaxy :)

Scope arrived back in it's rightful home today, and look at those gorgeous skies! The entire time owning the Takahashi was cloud except one night. I get "Destiny" back, and it's clear as a bell :) Reverse witchcraft :)

[batema]

That latest one is a ripper and I would be happy with the other two. Well done.

[malau]

May I know what ISO did you use?

[cybereye]

Thanks Mark!



David, I use an astronomical camera, a QHY8L, and as such it doesn't have an ISO. It does have Gain and Offset values which are determined through analysis but these values don't translate to normal cameras.

Cheers,
Mario

[Paul Haese]

Just as an observation I reckon you need longer subs. Maybe around 10 minutes for your location. It would pay to work out the sub length where light pollution affects the background.

[atalas]

Nice work Mario.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Some nice detail coming through Mario!:thumbsup:

Cheers,

Justin.

[cybereye]

Thanks Paul and thanks for the PM regarding sub lengths.



Thanks for the compliment Louie!



Thanks Justin - I had a look at your image from March - very nice!

[astronobob]

You have done well Mario :thumbsup: great what a little F/L can do for this hat galaxy and it is a good one for comparing from times of old and how one has improved. Nice work :thumbsup:

[cybereye]

Thanks Bob! To be honest, for the last 2 years I thought my 2012 version was pretty good. However, since then I've developed my acquisition and processing skills and the end result is what you see in the 2014 version. To say I'm happy with my progress is an understatement!

Cheers,
Mario

[strongmanmike]

For a Brissie suburb Muzza that looks pretty ok with some nice colours, the bright stars look a little odd :question: otherwise a very respectable looking image of the amigo hat galaxy :P

Mike

[cybereye]

Thanks Mike, your comments are always well appreciated! I know the stars are a bit wonky but after so many months on the sideline because of the incessant cloud I was just happy to have a run last Saturday night! I guess it's never too early for a repro?

Cheers,
Mario