Orion my 1000th ? attempt

[xelasnave]

If you think this one is crook you should see the trash. I recon I have taken 1000s thru the 80x400.
I captured this thru 150sn, unguided on lxd 55 mount, at 800iso (first time at this setting) on 300d for 80 secs (about) did the best I could at processing using Microsoft Picture It (very basic) the colour is off I know but it helped get some detail and as I,m colour blind it only worries me that it worries others. Also I added a shorter exposure to fix the burn out around the Trap area. It was not a good night with cloud everywhere but I got sick of waiting for a perfect night and went for it in a window of clear sky.
alex

[xelasnave]

OR if the colour version offends you sences I have included a black and white version
alex

[Itchy]

Hi Alex,

That looks pretty good for only 80 sec. The SN 150 is f5, right? A good match for the 300D.

The colours are.....hhmm.....subtle.;)

If I was to be critical (perish the thought), I would suggest that you spend more time on polar alignment. It really is worth the effort.

Well Done

[xelasnave]

Yes f5. re polar alignment..Thats the plan, I think if I can get a clear night I am hoping for better cause I found out I have been adjusting the wrong way to get dialed in on polar, to the point where I would have to move the tripod when I ran out of adjustment after the move I would unwittingly get close still be going the wong way..if that makes any sence. :P . but the other night I did not have much time and I got closer than ever before in a quater of the time simply by adjusting in the correct direction..thanks for your encouragement. alex

[Itchy]

Hi Alex,

Something I noticed last week when I got my polar alignment very good.

When adjusting Azimuth (star at zenith): when I first started to adjust, the star moved in the right direction, but not perpendiclular to the drift. As I got closer, the adjustment moved the star more and more perpendiclar to the direction of drift. So, if your star difts down and when you adjust to move the star left, the angle that it actually moves will be an indication of how close you are. The more perpendicular to the drift the closer you are.

Hope this makes sense

Cheers

[xelasnave]

I think I experienced similar but I thought it was due to drive problem. I will be more observant.
alex

[xelasnave]

Further the other night I was happy cause the drive seemed spot on.. maybe it was because I was closer than usual..mmm
alex

[[1ponders]]

Glad to see you're getting out Alex. Send some of that clear sky this way.

I'm seeing real improvement each time you post. Good onya.:thumbsup:

Re: polar aligning. Do you have a ToUcam (or LPI) and a laptop at all? If you do, I've found a toUcam to be a godsend for polar aligning.

[xelasnave]

Thank you very much for the encouragement Paul. I have a LPI but I live without grid power. My set up is batteries and a small genny (2 of) my mate Abi gave me a power surge suppressor so I can now run the desk top ,the one Abi is fixing...so its close but ten times the effort to a power grid situation. How can I use the LPI to align? Thru the polar scope or what? AND clear sky will be here by the full Moon.. it is going to storm here by the looks of it.
alex

[[1ponders]]

I use the ToUcam (or LPI) with K3CCDTools V.2 It has a drift align feature. I can get great alignment in about 10 - 15 min and no drift in declination for 5 minutes or more in about half an hour.

[xelasnave]

Thanks Paul.. the cloud, the repairs, etc makes me very impatient. It is all so close but so far ... I love it
alex

[tornado33]

Hi
Yep thats very good for that exposure time. Sometimes I think I'd like to get my 6 inch F3.6 Cometracker going for imaging, but I deen a better guidescope setup for it to avoid flexure. The off axis guider for the 10 inch prevents that.
Scott

[atalas]

Gday Alex, nice shot and Its good to see your at It again ! on polar alignment Alex the more you do It the more you understand It ! so stick with It you'll get good at It sooner than you think .

[xelasnave]

So far the 150sn seems not too bad where I am. Started a pier mount today. Ex Telecom PVC Pipe Terminal cover, its the perfect height and its white, samel colour as the scopes...very clinical. But filled with cement and steel it wont wobble. I will cement steel strap in with appropriate holes for the mount but it is a very simple and inexpensive approach ..so I mention it for others thinking about a pier. But with the pier in place polar alignment should not be a problem again.
alex