First Galaxy NGC253

[Chris Southby]

I finally had a clear night in Canberra and had a go at my first galaxy and first attempt at prime focus photography. The image comprises of 18 x10sec exposures at 1600 ISO on an unmodded canon350D. Taken through a Skywatcher 8” newt on an unguided EQ5. I’ll have a good go at doing a proper polar alignment to get longer exposure times. Ten seconds was the best I could get without getting blurred stars.
Still learning:) I'm happy with this for a first go.

Any tips and constructive criticism will be welcome.

Cheers

[DavidU]

:thumbsup:You are off and running. Get the tracking sorted and subs will come together.

[allan gould]

Good start and well done for just 10 sec subs. Its a long arduous but rewarding path.

[Jeffkop]

I would concentrate on getting guiding going Chris. Then you can take advantage of a gazzilion different combinations of exposures, ISO's etc. (up to practical limits). 10 seconds just isnt enough time to gather the faint light from objects like this.

Accurate polar alignment here we come.

Keep at it

[Chris Southby]

Thanks Guys
It's an addictive hobby, it's beginning to consume much of my thought processes and any spare money.

Polar alignment is the next step, looks like clear skys for the weekend and early next week. Just got a skyglow filter as well.

Cheers

Chris

[bmitchell82]

glad you could join us on the dark side :) welcome welcome come right over here and sit down :) take a load off :)

[Chris Southby]

sounds like its a long slippery road

[RobF]

Great effort Chris.

I can still remember the faint glow of 253 appearing on the laptop of another IIS'er - couldn't get ever the fact an amateur could image GALAXIES. I hadn't expected imaging to be so addictive.

Anyhow, that did it for me..... :)
Have fun!

[Hagar]

Definitely off and running with an image like this. No all you need is some form of active guiding, much longer subs, calibration files and you won't know your images could be so good.

Very nice first image. Well done.

[White Rabbit]

Great first shot, I have an image of the same galaxy that is made up of about 35mins of subs and it doesnt look as good, it's true lol.

[Ric]

A good start Chris, longer exposures will help but it's all a learning curve.

Don't forget to have fun as well.

Cheers