M20 - testing some new toys

[amoeba]

Hi,

Got out last night to test a new QGuider and Moonlite motorized focuser, had to put up with constant wind gusts and a near full moon, but the final processed version seemed to came up ok;

http://www.softworx.com.au/astro/M20-Trifid-210708.jpg

Shot details are;

5 x 15min 400 iso light subs
3 x darks
3 x flats

Equipment was;

Skywatcher 8" Newt
EQ6 Pro mount
Canon 20d Hutech modded
Baader MPCC + Hutech 2" IDAS LPS filter

Auto-guided with 80mm Skywatcher ED + QGuider mono

Was the first time I have used flat frames (after a weekend light box project and too many visits to bunnings). Its hard to believe how much of a difference it makes!

Looking forward to the new moon to give these toys a real go.

[leon]

Well your new toys have served you well, very nice capture indeed, yep, those flats tend to make a big difference to the final result, well done.

Leon

[AlexN]

well done! looks great...

The MPCC does a fine job of sorting out the warp speed effect.

Gotta love autoguiding ! :D

[dugnsuz]

Wow, 15min subs!!!!:eyepop:
Very nice final result.
I've avoided flats so far - I'll have to reconsider my position I think!:P
Doug

[Dr Nick]

Nice work, the wide field is great, a lot better than mine! ;)

[Bassnut]

Very smooth, flat field, nice work. 15min at 400ISO?, a bit strange, either shorter exposures at 800ISO, or more depth/less subs at 800 might have been easier, but an impressive result.

Guiding is a bit woofy, which might not have appeared at 800ISO/8 mins.

[Alchemy]

youve done well there, the modded 20d does some impressive work, and the flats are well worth it..... you will find they are somewhat temperature dependant , so if you go like 5 deg difference you will definitely need new ones for that image. just keep an eye on the temp when you shoot. i used to list the temp for each exposure when i used a dslr and found it helped

cheers clive.

[amoeba]

Thanks for your encouragement everyone & thanks for the tips Clive & Bassnut. I will have to keep an eye on that temperature.

[multiweb]

That is a great picture considering moon glow and all... awesome! :thumbsup: