First light fun Atik 460EX - NGC253 & M20

[andyc]

Well, I got to smash the new kit curse, with two perfect nights straight after collecting a shiny new Atik 460EX mono, filter wheel & Astronomik filters.

Am really happy with how sensitive it is, and the massive improvement in calibration quality (flats & bias = decently flat frames, something I'm not used to!). Artemis capture seems pretty straightforward too.

I got a very quick M20 (http://www.pbase.com/andycasely/image/164387962) as it set - 12min L, 8 min each R, G & B, 20min Ha. First time I've properly captured the H-H jet. Ha-LRGB first image, second image Ha only.

I took 30min on NGC253 (http://www.pbase.com/andycasely/image/164404119/original) (3rd image), and have to be happy, a bit more detail and depth than my longer exposures with the DSLR, and seems smooth and deep for 6x5min. I had 2 hours of DSLR from the weekend (http://www.pbase.com/andycasely/image/164404120), was quite happy except for the streaky background, but may be a while before I do another DSLR session :D.

Am looking for good workflows in PI for LRGB combination (though I have hardly any data :lol:), suggestions for LRGB/Ha-LRGB combination tips are welcome :)

[Crushellon]

Looking good. There are a lot of good tutorials here http://www.lightvortexastronomy.com/tutorials.html including LRGB combination. As for the Ha integration, there is a HaRGB script in pixinsight.

[RickS]

Congrats on the successful first light, Andy!

Have you signed up for Jim Morse's PixInsight cheat sheet? He has a great collection of stuff from the PI Forum and elsewhere that he updates and emails out. I won't post his email here but I'll send it privately it if you want (or you can find details on the PI Forum.)

I also have some notes I can send you that have a workflow and discuss options for Ha blending.

Cheers,
Rick.

[Shiraz]

pretty nice for a first light Andy - looking forward to more.

[andyc]

Thanks Rick - yes I would be interested in both, thanks :). I had a bit of a go with some Tarantula data yesterday, and the colours aren't 'popping' quite in the way I'd hope. All part of the learning process!

Those tutorials look excellent. I'd come across one of Kayron's tutorials before, but the PixInsight set looks superb. Bookmarked!

Thanks Ray!