Ngc 253

[ZeroID]

Two hours over two nights, 194 frames Canon 1200D through the Lunt.
DSS and processed in CS2.

[cometcatcher]

Nice result Brent! How do you find the 1200D?

[ZeroID]

Hi Kevin, The 1200D is excellent, very low noise and reliable. It's the last thing I worry about on my system. Being the cheapest and simplest of the Canon range it is also lightweight. BYEOS runs it perfectly.
They were selling @ $450 second hand a while ago but a big retailer did a special so I picked up new with lens for $500. It's current replacement is the 1300D, similar specs. No modifications done to it.

[cometcatcher]

Cool thanks. How does it compare to your IR 450D, being an older model?

[ZeroID]

The 450D is full spectrum modded and cooled. Also 12 meg vs 18 meg. Haven't really compared them to be honest and I also haven't used the 450D for a while. I was using the 450D before the mod work and it was pretty good but my system and techniques have changed a lot so hard to judge.

I must get the 450D going again though, I need to look at IR as an adjunct. But I'm also saving towards a cooled ASI 1600 mc. never stops does it ...:shrug:

[ZeroID]

Another 50 mins added and reprocessed. Transparency was pretty bad last night but it seems to filled in the fainter extremities a bit. We're up to 289 frames now.

[Slawomir]

Brent, I think the newer version looks a bit washed out and somehow colour got lost in data processing. Nonetheless both versions are heaps better than my attempt at this DSO :thumbsup:

[ZeroID]

Hi Suavi, I'd agree, I suspect the poor transparency last night added luminance but not much else. Need another clear night or two to get detail.
I've figured out that DSO imaging needs exposure time, the more the better. I've been relying on pushed processing to bring up the image and it just doesn't work. Also having sorted my alignment and guiding makes a huge difference as well. I want about 5 hours on this before I'll be happy, more late nights coming.

[Slawomir]

Going for a 4-digit sub count? Awesome!

[ZeroID]

I'm calling it done for this. It's getting too low in the sky before it gets dark enough for me. Total is now 3 hrs and 30 secs of exposure, 362 frames.

[cometcatcher]

The core is a bit blown out on the last one. Might need some masking like we do on M42 to bring it out. Otherwise a nice result for a 4" refractor.

[ZeroID]

Yeah, I might have another go at processing, there was a bit of pink previously that seems to have been washed out.