AzAlt and AZ-GTi

[Robbie_G]

Hi everyone,

Firstly, such incredible pictures you’ve all posted here!

Anyway, I was wondering if there’s anyone who’s managed to really go down the rabbit hole of astrophotography whilst sticking with an az/alt mount, and if so, what the experience has been like? I do realise that it has quite significant inherent limitations. Similar question for anyone using the Skywatcher AZ-GTi mount (I’m aware of the ability to convert it into an equatorial setup).

Finally, please find my two feeble first attempts (sort-of, the first image I made of Orion is frankly unpublishable), of Carina and the Sombrero galaxy. Both approx. 20 minutes worth of 10s subs with the AZ-GTi, Skywatcher 130P, Olympus EM-5 ii from inner Sydney.

Cheers!

[AstroViking]

Hi Robby,

Welcome to IIS!

For your first images, they are very good. M104 has that lovely glow extending out from the core, and the central band is good and dark. Carina is showing some good detail in the brighter sections.

If you can tighten the focus in a bit, as your stars appear a little fuzzy, then you'll be getting better data.

I can't help with anything Alt-Az related, as I went straight to EQ mounts.

Cheers,
V

[carlstronomy]

Robbie

:welcome:

Nice images mate, you should be very happy with those. You have some nice detail and the stars are nice and round.

Clear skies :thumbsup:

[Dave882]

Welcome to IIS Robbie. You're off to a great start with those images and have some nice detail for such short integration. Well done!
I've done a fair amount of imaging in Alt-Az, as have many others. It's often called Electronic Assisted Astrophotography (or EAA for short) as it provides an almost live-view.
You can certainly do AP with an Alt-Az, but there are many limitations and you'll find that if you want to really go 'down the rabbit hole' the obstacles will start getting bigger and bigger. Sure you can get a wedge or rotator and keep using the same mount, but then again, it's probably much simpler with an eq mount instead.
In the meantime - short exposure Alt-Az imaging is heaps of fun and you can get decent images to show friends and family. Keeping exposures to 10-20sec will generally limit blurring due to rotation, and a good live stacking program (Sharpcap or ZWO Asistudio) is great to be able to watch the image develop in real time. I usually tried to get 15-20min to get a quick view, or 1-2hrs of data on a target if I want to reveal the fainter parts, and then you just crop the edges to remove the mess. Try a dual narrow band filter for emission nebula or a LP filter for broadband targets like galaxies if you're imaging in the city. Calibration frames will also be helpful if you want to do some post-processing of your images. If you're still wanting to to go further with it, a dedicated astro camera (not necessarily cooled) may be worthwhile, but do your research first before you drop any serious $$ on this.
Simply post processing can be done with PS, GIMP, or just PhotoShop Express on your phone.
Hope some of that helps - :)

[oska]

Great stuff Robbie, very nice indeed. I really love the Carina palette. Welcome.

[Robbie_G]

Thanks everyone!

I'm definitely still at the early stage of just being amazed at what can be captured from our light-polluted skies with basic equipment, but no doubt that will escalate soon enough. Now, to somehow fix the focus tube after trying to brute force my camera into a position to reach focus...