NGC253 - Third Light Lucky!

[David Fitz-Henr]

Well, I managed to get about 2.5 hours of data for NGC253 this time despite all the smoke hanging around Sydney (third light for my home made 200mm Newt). I'm still learning the ImagesPLus software, but I think this is looking a lot better than before, although I think it may be a little blue overall.

25 subs (from 31 taken - 6 discarded) at 6mins each - unguided on Paramount
200mm at f6.9 / 1380mm (f6 native x 1.15 power Paracorr)
Canon 400D (unmodified) at ISO400
ImagesPlus processing applying DDP, curves manipulation, colour balance, wavelet smoothing and unsharp mask.
I have also included an enlarged crop of the galaxy.

[leon]

Gee David for such long unguided subs, that is fantastic mate, well done.

Leon

[Hagar]

Very nice rendition of NGC 253. No guiding makes it even better although with a paramount you should be able to expect something great. The colour looks very good on my monitor after all it is the silver coin galaxy. You have extracted the surface glow from the galaxy very well. All up a very nice image. Looks like the scope is a real winner.

Well done.

[DavidU]

Dave, that new scope seems to be the goods ! Very nice full image
I can imagine what will come with some guiding and skilfull use of processing

[h0ughy]

for an unguided shot you did well? will you be guiding sometime soon - imagine the result you will have after that.

[David Fitz-Henr]

Thanks Leon - I might try longer subs next time and see how I go, but I'm probably near the limit now if I don't want egg-shaped stars.


Yes I've been very pleased with the performance so far - I don't have PEC turned on either, so the periodic error must be quite low (although the seeing hasn't been good which may cover it up to some extent. I do have ProTrack turned on, which basically alters the mount tracking rate based upon a mathematical model of the scopes mechanics (eg. tube flexure).



Yes, I would like to get a guide camera at some point in the future - but in the meantime I'll have some fun learning the software, etc, while I save my pennies.

[RobF]

Another very nice one David! You've certainly done well with the capture and processing. :thumbsup:

[Paul Haese]

Lovely image, looks great in the wider view.

[multiweb]

Amazing details in that shot. It's all coming together now. Well done indeed. :thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Great shot and impressive tracking.

One thing I don't understand though - you have a top of the line mount
(US$14,500 new + shipping+ GST so new no change out of AUD$20,000 just about) and you made your own Newt which is very dedicated but you are using a DSLR. Nothing wrong with a DSLR at all but you seem to be a guy who wants to get the best results possible.

You can get a FLI Microline 8300 mono now on special for US$3,495.
Gee, I paid US$4995 for mine when they first came out and I think that was a bargain for the performance of this camera.
They also a discount on FLI filter wheels.

This is a steal. This camera is friggin awesome and you won't find any better camera for your needs.

I think your imaging would take a massive leap up with one of those and a guide scope/guide cam (QHY 5?).

I know its a bit of a learning curve and DSLRs are great because they are so convenient and its all in colour etc but mono/filtered imaging really isn't that hard. Certainly easier than buiding your own Newt.

Greg.

[allan gould]

Great photos and another way to get an image. Thats some mount you have and as Greg said with a better CCD would generate awesome data and photos.

[David Fitz-Henr]

Thanks for all the comments Rob, Paul, Marc, Greg and Allan.




I thought someone would ask me this question. Basically, I am gradually working towards my ultimate setup, which is a Paramount, custom built 12.5" Newtonian astrograph and wide large format CCD camera. I have obviously acquired the Paramount, and I built the 200mm more as a prototype / learning experience / ATM achievement. I am in the process of acquiring the components for the 12.5", and in the meantime I am using the 8" / DSLR to "cut my teeth" so to speak - learn the software and gain some knowledge / experience while the 12.5" is being completed, at which time I will be ready to buy a CCD camera (it also spreads out the costs !). I may consider getting a guide camera and attaching my WO 70ED as a guidescope - but it would have to fit in with my plans for the 12.5". Anyway, we'll see how it goes ...

[marc4darkskies]

Very impressive David - lots of great detail! A bit more colour saturation would be more to my taste though.

BTW, I'm with Greg - you've done enough training - now go and get yourself a mono CCD! :D

Cheers, Marcus

[David Fitz-Henr]

Ahh, Marcus-san ! Thanks for the nice comments.

Maybe a tad more in the centre, but as Doug mentions, it is known as the silver coin galaxy - so it may be not too far from the mark.
I am working on an M16 image that I'll post tomorrow - it should quench your thirst for more colour !

[marc4darkskies]

Aahh great minds think alike - since the clouds have foiled my latest project for now, I went and reprocessed my old M16 shot. It's on Pbase ... plenty of bold colour too! :)