Carinae Nebula

[dimithri86]

Hi all,

My first attempt at proper astro photography.
37x 8sec subs @ 800iso
Nikon 5300 + 127apo + G11
DSS with default settings
Gimp to adjust the colours (however it was done on a crappy LCD screen so I didnt see till this morning how blown out the colours were)

I know very little about stacking and processing, so the result could probably be a lot better.

All advice and critique is welcome.

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12968037_10153598556491270_50944533 47101754961_o.jpg

[Slawomir]

Hi Dimithri,

Not too bad for a first attempt at astro-imaging.

To my eye you have a significant tilt in your optical train, so that's where I would start a never ending journey to perfection :)

Regards
Suavi

[dimithri86]

Hi Suavi,

I wasn't aware that was a thing. I do remember my camera adapter didnt sit perfectly in the focuser.

Thanks, that's a great place to start improving.

[Atmos]

For a fairly limited number of 8s exposures (only a total of 5 minutes) it has turned out quite reasonable.

Having tilt in the system shows up as the stars on one side of the image being larger than the other. Your right side is larger than your left.

It is a nice start :)

[Ross G]

Hello Dimithri,

Great first attempt, especially with so little exposure.

You have the basis of an excellent astrophotography setup.

Keep practicing and the results will get better and easier.

DSS is great for stacking but try to do all your subsequent processing in GIMP or any other photo program.
If you have Photoshop or can get a copy of even a very early version like CS2 you can improve your processing significantly.

Also, check in DSS that you have chosen your camera correctly as this could effect the colours.

Good luck.
Ross.