Tarantula widefield

[dugnsuz]

Hello all...
I've been trying to nail the Tarantula over the last few clear nights we've had in SA. But, lots of things have transpired against me - cheapo EQ5 mount, clouds etc etc.
So I'm posting for the sake of posting I reckon to exorcise the spider demon!

Scope: Skywatcher ED80 Pro on Skywatcher SynScan EQ5 mount, autoguided using PHD, an 80mm AOE Achromatic refractor and Phillips Toucam.

Camera: Unmodded Canon 40D

Exposures: 10x180 seconds

All at iso500, In Camera Noise Reduction.

No Darks/Flats.

Stacked in ImagesPlus, then stuffed up in Photoshop CS:lol:

Probably 4 of the 10 exposures were up to par - focus and tracking wise, but I pressed on regardless with the others!!! And the results show my foolhardiness!!:P
Final image looks very soft!
Still, it's all tiny steps on the learning curve eh!?
All the best
Doug:thumbsup:

[spearo]

Looks good Doug.
You're out there imaging, i'm just not getting to do any so my hat's off to you!
like the comment about PS....i usually do likewise
overall looks good tracking and focus wise.
might want to crop just a little bit off the left hand side (maybe left of the nice 3 stars just to eliminate some elongation ?)
well done, I cant wait to reimage that target myself when my new mount comes in (i put in for G11...)
well done and keep up the good work mate
frank

[saberscorpx]

What a beautiful image to start my day with.
(Been cloudy and/or snowing here for several days.)

Thanks, and kudos to all the IIS imagers.


SJS

[dugnsuz]

Thanks for the comments guys,
spearo - I've added a crop as per your suggestion, cheers!
Doug:thumbsup:

[iceman]

Excellent work, Doug. I can see where bits went wrong but overall I like it. I'm yet to be able to target these southern beauties yet. Thanks for sharing.

[leon]

Doug, I have been away, yep, again and have just opened up Deep Space, very nice my friend, looks pretty good to me, tracking seems OK, good colour, well done i reckon.

And like Spero said, your out there doing it mate, go for it.

leon

[Ric]

Very nice Doug, I know what you mean about the processing stage, one little tweek extra and it all goes wrong or at least that's my story.

Cheers

[Garyh]

Very nice Doug...well done...
Keep those 40D pics coming!
Its picking up those colors very nicely!
cheers Gary

[dugnsuz]

Thanks guys you're all very kind,
But I'm all too aware of the reason this image isn't all it could be.
I used 6 pics in a stack of 10 which showed a bit of star trailing. The good 4 probably wouldn't have been enough on their own for a decent S/N ratio - I've only got myself to blame!!!
I'm starting to throw away more subs than I keep I find and i think the EQ5 is to blame with dodgy PE in its tracking. I may try the AstronomyBoy strip down if I pluck up the courage, but from this recent article on CN it might be the way to go...
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1736
All the best
Doug

[dugnsuz]

Hi Ric,
I find my processing has become a bit more minimalist recently!
Levels, Curves, perhaps an Action or 2:whistle:
But I'm really trying not to clip the Histogram - it's become my Astro-Mantra!!
Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[leon]

Doug, we are not just being kind, with the equipment that you are using, and like me you haven't been at it for all that long , I reckon it is a top effort.

Now just accept some praise when it is due, :lol: :lol: you hear...:whistle:

Leon :thumbsup:

[Garyh]

Well worth the astronomyboy strip down!
Did it to my EQ5 mount as well as some of the other fixes in his links and it made a big difference in the smoothness in RA.
But could never get the Dec running real smooth as there was just to much slop in the gears. So had to polar align very well so I didn`t have to correct much in Dec..
cheers Gary

[dugnsuz]

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[leon]

It's not a laughing matter Mr Robertson, :P I'm serious you know. :whistle:

Leon :thumbsup:

[Tamtarn]

Nice colours there Doug. Hope you get the problem with the mount sorted out. It sure can be frustrating :mad2::mad2:

[dugnsuz]

Should have got the EQ6!!! "Oh no , but I had to have GoTo!!!!":sadeyes:
Take note potential imagers...get a BIG, STURDY mount!
Listen to the advice.;)
I'm going to Bunnings (other hardware stores available!) at lunchtime to get my supplies for the big EQ5 stripdown!!
Brothers and sisters, I will overcome!!!!!:lol:
Hope to repost a tack-sharp Tarantula soon...god, I hate spiders!:rofl:
Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[Glenhuon]

Nice images Doug. :thumbsup:
Ach, away wi' ye man, there's nuthin wrong wi these wee hairy beasties, they eat flies don't they :)

Been thinking about the strip down here too, got one of them EQ5 as well.

Bill

[EzyStyles]

nice on doug. maybe slightly tooo green,, but well captured.

[leon]

Oh Dear Doug is stripping down :scared: :lol:

Leon :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Cover your eyes it's gonna get NASTY!!!!:P

I've bought all the 'supplies' and created a clean working area up the shed.
All I've got to get are some roller bearings as featured in mill's article...
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=63,432,0,0,1,0
Anyone got any ideas where I can lay my hands on these bearings?

Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[Glenhuon]

Bearing Services comes to mind, but almost any engineering supply place should be able to get them for you. If you can get a bearing number you could even find them on line.

Bill

[dugnsuz]

Thanks Bill,
leon is on the case - he knows a man!!!!!:whistle:
Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[Glenhuon]

Just had a look at the article, are you sure the dimensions given for the bearings are correct. 6 inside x 10 outside would only leave 2mm for the rollers and it looks a wee bit bigger than that in the pic. :confuse2:

Bill

[dugnsuz]

Not too sure Bill!!
I'll get back to you!!!
I'm going on others experience on this one!
But thanks for the heads up - I appreciate all input !
Cheers mate
Doug:thumbsup:

[g__day]

I really like those shots Doug!