First astrophotography image!

[ncorreia]

First astrophotography image/first time using an EQ mount. I spent 3 hours aligning my mount properly (laptop battery died and then I had figure out drift aligning using my D90), only for clouds to roll in 10 minutes later. I was only able to get 3-4 shots off, but I'm still pretty stoked I got more than a blurry blob!

This is just a single 30sec exposure of ETA Carinae (NGC 3372) at ISO 1600. The focus wasn't great, as I screwed it up when I was using the camera to drift align (I was in the process of fixing that when Eta disappeared behind the clouds!). I haven't cropped the image and obviously I need a coma corrector :P. Hopefully next pay check!

Full size image can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ndcorreia/14286736727/

Equipment:
8" f/4 Newtonian
HEQ5 Pro mount unguided
Nikon D90
Macbook pro running BackyardNikon Beta 02
Processed in Photoshop Lightroom 5

[cometcatcher]

Great first shot!

I've been down that road so many times, spend ages and ages getting everything right only to have clouds come along when finally ready. It's a test of patience! One that I sometimes fail and vow never to take another astro photo again lol.

[SimmoW]

Yes, a cool first image, and you have polar alignment worked out, that took me awhile to understand . Every time the clouds roll in I breathe deeply then say 'oh well, at least I've had more practice at setting up the scope!'

[ncorreia]

Cheers guys! Yeah I told myself my number one goal was to learn how to properly polar align. The image was just icing on the cake! Can't wait to get back out there and get a bunch of frames to start stacking :)

[Misplaced]

Polar Alignment :mad2::mad2:

[BruceG]

That's a really nice and clean subframe Nelson. We have all had to contend with the weather and of course batteries. Best to have a large deep cycle battery that can supply power to your entire setup.
Add a couple of extra camera batteries in to the mix and all you have to worry about is the weather.

[ncorreia]

Thanks Bruce! I've picked up a deep cycle battery and am waiting for the proper power cable to arrive for my mac :) Until then I think I'll just have to drift alight with my camera and then switch on the computer to get my focus and star align perfect :)