We Bagged Another One! - NGC 7293 (Helix) - Beginner Imagers!

[JimmyAstro]

Hi IIS Fam,

We bagged another last night, our third DSO, this time the NGC 7293 Helix Nebula.

Not as impressive as a lot of other imagers, but we do the best we can with this little 50mm as we learn the sky. Probably need to look at upgrading the camera.

This is only about 15-17 mins of data in total. But, as stated last time, with a manual ALT AZ mount this can be a PITA. Captured in the Adelaide southern suburb skies.

Location: Adelaide Southern Suburbs
Sky: Bortle 5
Seeing: Average with partial cloud
OTA: 50mm f/4.8
Mount: ALT AZ
Camera: Player One MC IMX462
Filter: ZWO Duo Filter
Stacked .FIT Files: 140
Software: Siril and tried PS a little

I am not too sure about the PS work/processing! Still needs more data/work and as always still lots of learning with online tutorials and videos.

These are fairly low resolution images and look a lot better when viewed smaller!

Regards

James & Helen

[leon]

Nothing wrong with that guys, well done.

leon

[JimmyAstro]

Thanks Leon,

We will keep trying, hoping collecting more data will assist. Also, hope we can extract some more detail through processing.

Regards

James & Helen

[astronobob]

Good going again James/Helen,, The Helix is a bit fainter than the core of Orion and I'm surprised you have even collected part of the 2nd shell.. Well done and Id be quite Chuffed with that alone.
:thumbsup:

[JimmyAstro]

Thanks Astronobob :thumbsup:

Regards

James & Helen

[astronobob]

Hi again James Helen,
Im not to sure if your after any critique or helping guide lines with these,, processing wise.
I guess you would ask otherwise..

[JimmyAstro]

Hi Astronobob,

We can see there is probably plenty to critique. :lol:

For us, they are our first images (m42, m8, and NGC7293). We are pretty excited to get any result to be honest and just wanted to share with others to show that you can achieve reasonable success, even with limited equipment.

We are not too literate when it comes to the finer issues of processing, in fact it was also the first time we had ever used Siril, and we are definitely not Photo-shopper's.

We will take any advice that people want to give, as we are just beginners and long to make images like many of those fine examples here on the IIS webpage forums. We have just started on the process of reading through tutorials and watching Youtube. I guess it is just going to take time, patience, and plenty of practice.

Thanks and kind regards

Helen & James

[AstroViking]

Hi Helen & James,

You've done well for your first images. Way better than my first attempts.

For Siril processing and workflow, check out 'Deep Space Astro' on YouTube. Rich does a range of tutorials on processing various DSOs with Siril.

Just be ready to hit the pause&rewind controls as he tends to be very quick.

Cheers,
V.

[Nikolas]

Great first images!!

[JimmyAstro]

Thanks Astro Viking :thumbsup:

[JimmyAstro]

Thanks Nikolas :thumbsup:

[JimmyAstro]

Hi IIS Fam,

Well we have been watching YouTube the last couple of days and reading tutorials, and whilst it all seems like 'double dutch' we have had another attempt at processing a couple of the images (NGC 7293 & m42).

Still the original data, no new stuff, just some messing around in processing.

What do you think?

Thanks

James & Helen