What targets??

[thegableguy]

It's finally a sensationally clear, calm night and I'd love some suggestions for targets.

I'm a total newbie using an ED80 atop a NEQ6, shooting unguided with a crop sensor un-modded DSLR.

So far I've attempted M42, M83, the Carina Nebula, the Coal Sack and the Jewel Box. I'll likely be trying Carina again because my first attempt was only mediocre, but if you folks have any suggestions for something new I'd be happy to try if they're in my back yard's field of view.

All the targets I had in mind are generally too small for my little refractor so I don't really know about any of the widefield targets best suited to my ED80. Suggestions extremely welcome. I love nebulae but most of those I'm familiar with are kinda small or unfamiliar to me. I dunno... Lagoon nebula? Tarantula? Any others?

[glend]

If you can stay up late, the wonderful nebula group of Sagitarius will be rising above 40 degrees in the eastern sky by 1130pm. The Lagoon Nebula is big and bright, a good target for you. Right next to it to the north is the Trifud Nebula, then trailing them lower down to the northeast is the Sean and Eagle nebula. All of these are easy targets for your scope but i would start with the Lagoon. I will be out in the observatory tonight starting up a narrowband imaging run on the Lagoon. Be aware the moon rises about 1am but it is waning now. It you image from about 1130pm you have plenty of time on the Lagoon before moon rise. The moon is not a factor for narrowband on that target at this time. Good luck.

[thegableguy]

Lovely, thanks for that.

That group sounds great. I'll try for the Lagoon, if my neighbours' trees decide to cooperate. East isn't the best direction for me.

Drift alignment is all done so will keep my scope inside for the next hour or so and head out around 11pm, see how I go. It's VERY dewy out there.

[glend]

I had to stop imaging as there were a few clouds drifting around up here, however the forecast is for clear skies until Saturday so plenty of opportunities this coming week.

[thegableguy]

I managed to get this. Moderately happy with it though I think I experienced my first ever focus sag.

[Atmos]

On the bottom of the focuser there should be a knob for locking the focuser in place, or at the very least making it less likely to slip.

[Retrograde]

You could try the Rosette Nebula (you'll need to be quick and get it in the early evening before it sets in the west behind Orion) and the Running Chicken Nebula which is pretty high in the sky.

Both objects are quite large but a fair bit fainter than both Eta Carina and the Lagoon so you'll need plenty of subs and reasonable processing to do them justice.

[thegableguy]

Just tried a 1 min exposure at ISO 1600 of the Running Chicken and it was baaaarely visible. Think that's a target for bigger, better scopes with guiding. And unfortunately my house lies in the way of the Rosette - west isn't a great direction for me really.

Just gonna give Carina another shot tonight. Trying 2 mins at ISO 800.

[Retrograde]

Yeah you'll need plenty of subs but it can be done.
My effort here from SPSP last year was all done with unguided 1 min subs at f7
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=134956&highlight=Chicken

Anyway good luck with you efforts!