Imaging is fun, 2nd post with some lessons learnt

[Gallifreyboy]

After grumbling about the weather for 3 months :D I took the opportunity with the great weather to image a few new objects over 2 nights. Thankyou for the feedback from my first posting, I have made a few changes this time, all images obtained in RAW, I read the instructions on DSS:P and put photoshop 6 to work. I think the quality is definitely better, really it is a lot of fun and very rewarding. Comments welcomed. I have worked out that I need a field flattener. Guiding next step but I like keeping it simple until I'm more experienced.

My equipment EQ6 pro non guided, subs 120 sec, matching darks at least in ratio 1:3, ISO 400, canon 1000D modded, scope WO FLT98CF, stacked DSS and adjusted in PS6, all from front balcony in suburban Perth

Objects imaged - Sculptor Galaxy 33 x 2min subs (also called silver coin galaxy, mine looks more like Richie Benaud jacket galaxy with the bone, the ivory, the taupe, the beige etc.)
- 47 Tucanae globular cluster 16 x 2min subs (may have drifted slightly out of focus as last shots of the night)
- Grus collection of galaxies NGC 7590, 7582 and 7599 and fortunately in the same frame NGC 7552 to make 4 galaxies in all, 22 x 2min subs (my scope is not ideal to image these objects, wanted to see how they would turn out as I can't see them through the scope, would have taken more subs except high vertical position caused camera to hit tripod leg after 22)
- M42/43 8 x 2min subs (I was getting tired by then, difficult images to process afterwards with so much information and dynamic range)

[jjjnettie]

What a great nights work Peter. You've got to be chuffed with that.
And yeah, processing when you're tired.... we've all been there done that. You can't put your best effort in, impossible. But you can always repro during full moon.

[dpastern]

I don't remember the first efforts Peter, but these are pretty good to my eyes. I'm not quite sure on the overly magenta M42, but the other images look good. Good stuff and keep at it.

Dave

[Hagar]

A nice collection of images Peter,
Well done , Keep at it.

[Gallifreyboy]

Many thanks Doug, Dave and JJJ. Dave, I might reprocess the orion but more likely when it arises a bit earlier by next new moon give it a dedicated session to do it justice, I'm still at the stage where I learn something everytime I image:)

[Allan_L]

What great shots Peter!
WOW!
And working under difficulties.
Have you done much more lately?
Couldn't see any other image posts.

Is this the equipment you are still using?

How do you get an unguided photo that good with long exposures?

Astrophotography - still a mystery to me. But one Day ! Soon! :thumbsup:

[multiweb]

Yeah very nice indeed. The galaxy shot is awesome. :thumbsup:

[Gallifreyboy]

Many thanks Allan and Marc, glad you like them, you've made my day.:) I finished building a house in November then moved in, then Xmas, then holidays with the kids before they go back to school and time really flies. My equipment is still waiting to be unpacked from the move:sadeyes: hence no more imaging since. I do have plans heading to next new moon though. I also purchased a coronado PST here on IIS and have been playing with that.


'How do you get an unguided photo that good with long exposures?'

I have a misplaced stubborn streak wanting to learn things properly from the start and even though I have a QHY5 I haven't done any guiding yet because I wanted to understand and master polar alignment first:screwy:

Peter