Tarantula - first success shrinking files

[g__day]

Thanks for the instructions on how to shrink files! This is a series of shots - in duration 360, 420 and 600 seconds taken (remotely - thanks to VNC) yesterday evening on a C9.25CF OTA using a Meade Motor into a Canon 400D DSLR - guided by a 80mm Megrez + DSI into PHD (guided at 1.5 sec intervals with minim pixel movement before pusle guide set to 0.8 pixel and pusle guide set to 350ms) - driving a Vixen Atlux. Processing is in Photoshop CS2 - only levels and curves applied.

Still for a learner I'm happy with my initial results on this one! Suggestion how to improve things further much appreciated! I noted taking 600 second exposures was fine - but the core was over exposed - much to learn on the processing side too!

[Geoff45]

Actually, the nebula is the Tarantula. Tarantella is a dance with an interesting history: (taken from Wikipedia)
The tarantella can be traced back to the Middle Ages (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages), and may have evolved from an even older dance. According to legend, an epidemic of tarantula poisonings spread through the town of Taranto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taranto). The victims (tarantata) were typically farm women or others whose daily life might reasonably bring them into contact with the kinds of spiders that run in the fields. These supposed victims of spider bites would dance while villagers played mandolins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandolin) or tambourines (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tambourine). Various rhythms were used until one worked, vigorous dancing ensued, and eventually the tarantata was cured. Many people have suggested that the whole business was a deceit to evade religious proscriptions against dancing. Others state that it was a metaphor regarding female sexual desires and that by dancing frenetically these subsided and avoided problems in an era and area of Europe where sexual freedom wasn't particularly encouraged.

I like the pics too.
Geoff

[g__day]

Fixed thanks!

[Garyh]

Looks like your guiding setup is working very well!
I hope I can get mine working like that when its time. Nice round stars.
A great start! Look forwards to more!
cheers Gary

[Dr Nick]

Nice shot!

[jase]

Looking at the images provided, I sense some improvements can be made via image reduction/calibration. Are you taking any calibration frames? If you stretch the data reasonably hard (as per the attachment) you will note vignetting is present. Certainly, your guiding looks good so you are well on the way. I would simply recommend focusing on the basics of improving image quality through calibration in the first instance. Look forward to seeing more as you progress. Keep it up.:thumbsup:

[g__day]

Jase,

No - I don't even know what a calibration frame is! I'm up to pg 40 in Rod Wodaski's Zone System for Astrophotography - total newbie here!

Matt

[jase]

Matt, this will get you started;
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=63,211,0,0,1,0