Tuc 47 First autoguided image

[Garyh]

Hi all again...:)
Have had a ball imaging the two comets that were naked eye (well almost) and travelling to nice vantage points a few kms from home as the western horizon is not too good here.
Finally unpacked the car and re-setup my 6" newt and done a quick polar alignment and quickly plugged in my shoestring goodies and the Toucam.
:D I love this autoguiding! feels like I am cheeting a bit after handguiding for the last few years :P.
Used PHD guiding on its default settings and camera set at 1 sec intervals and DSLR shutter for the camera then just sat back...:). The moon was still high and the newt hadn`t cooled down completely but I was very excited to have some fun..
This image is Tuc 47 which is 6 images at 4 min iso 400 and 4 images at 1 min for the core. Very happy with the results...:thumbsup:

Done some deeper exposures of the Formax galaxy cluster (inspired by Mikes shot) later after the moon had set with 100% guiding success..
Handguiding success for me is usually would be maybe 80%.
I almost fell asleep during the 1+ hour session at midnight..:lol:

Did I mention I love this autoguiding!!:love:
cheers and thanks for looking

[iceman]

Wow Gary, that's fantastic. Excellent resolution. I didn't know you were hand-guiding before!!!

Autoguiding is just the best!

[Tamtarn]

That's a really good image Gary, those exposure settings have given great resolution and it is nicely framed.

We to have just started autoguiding with PHD, so can appreciate your joy in using this great little program.
All our images have been unguided up until now.

[Astroman]

Nicely resolved, still a little bit of movement there, not sure if its tracking related or stacking related. PHD is a breeze when you have it set right, well done for a first time effort.

[Geoff45]

Good image, resolved to the core.

I used to hand guide up to 30 min with film and then 10-15 min with digital. The other night mt autoguiding setup was playing up a bit and the thought of hadguiding the rest of the night crossed my mind, but was quickly dismissed.
Geoff

[Geoff45]

The way to find this out is to stack without aligning. If the tracking is spot on, the images should align very well. If they don't it could be a tracking error, but much more likely it will be movement in the system (guidescope rings not tight, imaging or guiding camera shift etc)
Geoff

[Astroman]

Yeah what I meant was I could not tell from the image whether it was one or the other.

[Garyh]

Thanks Mike for that! I agree there about the autoguiding!



Thanks Barb and Dave..:) once I get the settings just right it shall be a very enjoyable experiece!



Thankyou for the comment Astroman!! There not quiet perfect but I think its a great start! Some of the blurring towards the bottom left corner is from a warm mirror still cooling down and the thermal currents rising to the top side of the tube. must install a fan oneday!!
cheers


thanks Geoff, I can understand that already!!..:thumbsup: I think the handguiding will now be reserved for my field trips as I don`t have a lappy!!
cheers anf thanks guys!!..:)

[Dr Nick]

Wow! thats a beauty! ;)

[Lee]

Great pic Gary - I figured you had been autoguiding all along! :thumbsup:
I am this close to autoguiding!

[Ric]

Lovely image Gary, nice and sharp.

Well done.

[Garyh]

Thankyou Doctor Nick! :thumbsup:



Thanks Lee..:) its worth every cent this autoguiding stuff...:thumbsup:
cheers



Thanks Ric for that...Clear skies...:thumbsup:

[jase]

Great work Gary. The cluster is well resolved and defined. I look forward to seeing some deep images now that you've got autoguiding under control.

[gbeal]

Yep, it really is a marvel to behold when you first get it going I agree.
That is a stunner shot too, well done.

[browndog]

Excellent image and nicely processed. :thumbsup:
I agree with the others that the different exposures have captured the core and outer dimmer stars.

How did you combine the different exposures? Did you stack similar exposures initially and then use layers in PS to combine?? Any tips would be appreciated. :D

[h0ughy]

nice image Gary, you're going great guns

[Garyh]

Thanks Jase! Wanted to do 2 hour of the horsey last night but that pesky high cloud came to visit...maybe tonight...cheers



Thanks Gazz, :thumbsup: Can`t wait to try some long exposures.



Thanks browndog...:) you have got it right there! I stack all the same length exposures together then I just layer the shorter exposures in PS. But only the actual part I want to layer ( just the very core for this shot) using the selection tool and feathered as well..
cheers Gary



Thanks Houghy...:) my neck shall be very happy with this autoguiding!
cheers Gary

[2020BC]

Tip-top image, Gary !:thumbsup: Nice round stars, good tracking and focus.