M17

[deadsimple]

I almost didn't want to post this as it's a fairly average image ... but I just happened to have M17 (Omega/Swan) in all of the Pluto frames I took last week and figured I'd share.

Setup: 450D on an EQ6, unguided
Settings: 17 x 4min subs, 8 darks, ISO800, 250mm FL
Processing: Leveling, LR deconvolution

Results are of 2 nights of imaging. Not very impressive but still not too bad for a telescope-free imaging setup on a Mag 6 target.

[Bassnut]

mmm, a 450D is what, some 12mp, but the post is 300 pix square ?............and also yet 82K?, something screwy there. 17 * 4min and no guiding ???. So much time, sheesh.........You have the cam, the mount, can do better methinks ;) :thumbsup:

[deadsimple]

A few points:
M17 is quoted to be 11 arcmins long
11 arcmins is 370 pixels on a 450D at 250mm FL (remember I didn't use a telescope, just camera lens), so 316 px is in the right ballpark.
Since I imaged over 2 nights without projecting M17 onto the exact same section of the sensor/lens both times (Pluto was my target, not M17), differing directions of coma made stacking large subs impossible, hence cropping before stacking.
The image was saved at 100% quality to prevent edge DCT artefacts that JPEG suffers from.If you can find faults with my procedure, I'm all ears :)

[Bassnut]

OK, you have good excuses :), and oops, yes, only 250mm FL :eyepop:. Well, not suited to NF it seems ;) (thats the "proceedure" problem?).

Anyway, all in fun, you post, you take what comes :thumbsup:.

[deadsimple]

Yes I don't have a good widefield setup (i.e. no guidable mount, no OAG, no refractor), but just trying to see what I can achieve with what I do have (DSLR, dumb EQ mount) - while waiting for the pennies to add up and allow me to upgrade.

Maybe I shouldn't post my feeble efforts here. Sorry for wasting everyone's time.

[Bassnut]

I now see in the fine print the "non goto" part, fair enough, you go with what you have. Its a shame tho, you seem to have the nouse, the urge and the other gear generally to do proper DS imaging, hope you can upgrade to guiding at your earliest convienience.

Dont let me stop from you posting images, gaud that would be all wrong, just take appropriate flack, thats all.

[telecasterguru]

Ash,
From one learner to another I think you have done a great job with the equipment that you have. I am totally in awe of someone who can do DSI with a camera lens, especially unguided. I know, I have tried and failed miserably. And this is a very difficult subject you have tackled. It isn't exactly the Orion nebula. I think it is extraordinary and I can't wait to see more of your images.

Frank

[deadsimple]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. I wasn't actually targeting M17 as I mentioned .. it just happened to be in all of my Pluto frames (right at the edge) and hence that was the first time I actually saw the nebula - by accident!

Yeah Orion is significantly bigger (60 arcmin) and about 3 magnitudes brighter. I've included my old M42 pic below with the same camera at the exact same focal length (250mm) but a quarter of the exposure length (1min vs 4mins for M17) to show how much easier Orion was, with much more pleasing results ...

[dcalleja]

Ash
Pretty good for no scope and no guiding. I must say I've never tried that myself and I'm surprised how much detail came out

[omnivorr]

Bloody good efforts Ash. ...some who had it easier just don't appreciate 'struggle street' efforts and think it all lies in the gear.

...now I see a newt in your sig. ;) ..if it's a dob, then a set of rings might soon be in order eh? :) ..a T-adapter and T-ring, maybe a lil mirror shifting... but as you please! widefields you're doing are a great challenge and source of satisfaction too!

[AlexN]

looks good Ash.. Getting guiding going has to be priority number 1! :) M17 is a small target for a 250mm focal length, and im really impressed at the detail you've managed! Later in the year I vote you point your scope north and go for a wide field of the entire veil nebula... or a WIDE field M31! :)

Keep at it! and realise, to impress Fred, you need to image with your 8" newt + 3x Barlow and the DSLR! :) 3000mm or there abouts should see Fred with a smile! :)

[deadsimple]

Thanks. Yeah can't wait to get a guiding setup going.

But for now I'll continue pushing the limits of this gear. Looking forward to M31!

[spearo]

That's what its all about:
push to limits of what you have, ie get the most you can out of it,
aim only to compare with your own earlier shots
HAVE FUN
enjoy the journey
its a steep learning curve but you'll have lots of fun and meet great people here along the way
All feedback wont always be positive but we all need constructive advice at times to challenge us
except me of course ...i'm too thin skinned (just kidding):lol:

cheers
keep 'em comin'
you're doing fine
frank