IC2602 (Southern Pleiades) Test Image

[AstroViking]

Hello all,

I spent a lot of time last night working on getting the mount setup correctly and whilst it wasn't perfect (PA or tracking was off as the stars walked across the image sensor, and the guiding refused to play) but I did try something 'fun'.

I got a 'cross-hair' filter 3D printed, so I can make diffraction spikes with my refractor.

I don't know if it looks better or worse than a normal image from a refractor. What do you all think?

Cheers,
V

BTW - I know it's a noisy image. Too long an exposure time in too much light pollution.

50 subs of 20 seconds, ISO 1000
50 darks 'borrowed' from another imaging session
Processed with siril and finished off in Affinity Photo

[xelasnave]

Looks great but most important you enjoyed yourself.
So often things don't go right or exact and we often tend to see that as a failed night..you seem like me..make the best of things..experiment whatever...although I think you should do this to an image and say nothing and see who will say something.

Alex

[Dave882]

Beautiful image! Noise only hits hard when you zoom in and some more data will help that anyways. Well done!

[AstroViking]

Alex and David, thanks very much for the support and praise.

Alex - I went out with no intention of imaging anything 'serious', treating the night as a learning session and wanting to get my setup / configuration a bit more solid. The getting diffraction spikes in the image is a bonus.

David - it was not a good night for imaging with high cloud really accentuating the light pollution, and the camera settings weren't quite right. As you said, more data would give a better image.

[Mickoid]

I like what you've done too, Steve. There's just something about Star Spikes that makes the shot more 'Cosmic' and most people tend to associate with stars that look like they're twinkling rather than just round disks. I made one out of tooth picks for a prime camera lens and it worked a treat too. Nice field you've shot by the way! :thumbsup:

[Doogs38]

Looks great. Love the innovation to enhance your creativity.