M1 first attempt

[tonybarry]

This represents my first attempt at LRGB imaging using the GStar-EX monochrome low-light video camera.

The images were taken on 18th January this year, using an (unguided) LX90-8" with a Meade f/6.3 focal reducer. This represents 400 x 2.6 second exposures in luminosity, and a similar number in each of the three colour channels.

Recorded in iMovie 6 via a Canopus ADVC55 framegrabber, processed in Nebulosity 2 and "assembled" in PS CS2 on Mac.

Thanks to those who have shared knowledge with me to enable me to get to this point. Your input has been greatly appreciated.

As always, comments are appreciated, especially methods for improvement.

Regards,
Tony Barry

[jjjnettie]

Excellent work Tony.
The gstar is an awesome piece of kit isn't it. Can't praise it high enough.:thumbsup:

[plmilligan1968]

Tony

Nice job. The GSTAR-EX is well suited to capture the smaller dimmer objects. I have also bagged the crab using the GSTAR.

Great job!
Paul M...

[tonybarry]

Hello Jeanette,

The GStar is indeed an awesome camera. I am not able to visualise M1 through my LX90-8" under my usual light polluted conditions in Western Sydney. But the GStar picks it out with ease.

The quality of the image is not high, as you would expect, but several hundred Drizzle stackings in Nebulosity 2 and I have a really good image to take home.

Its short acquisition time also saves me the necessity of polar mounting. In fact, the resultant field rotation gives Drizzle the rotation it needs to work its inner magic. I am also able to do without guiding, although that may well come soon for other reasons. This image was done without guiding or PEC, and perhaps one in four subs were discarded due to motion blur. The others were adequate.

I am attaching a "raw" R sub from the GStar; the dark field; and the final R Drizzle stack of about 400 such subs. Such magic has to be seen in the field to be appreciated.

Regards,
Tony B.

[jjjnettie]

:lol: The Gstar mutual admiration society.
I love that I can use it with my alt azi mounts. I save at least 1/2 hr in setting up time compared to using the heq5pro. The only downer is the fact that my puters are soooo slow stacking so many frames.
Tony, did you read my article on the gstar in Astronomy Technology Today?

[telecasterguru]

Tony,

I am very impressed with the image produced by the GStar.

M1 is not an easy subject under good conditions.

Well done.

Frank

[tonybarry]

Hello Paul, Jeanette, and Frank,

Thank you for your comments.

Jeanette, I did not read your article on the GStar. I subscribe to Aust. Sky & Tel, and collect the Pommy Astronomy mag from time to time, but have not seen a copy of Astronomy Technology Today. Is it an American published mag?

I can confirm your issue with the puters. The Drizzle stacking of four hundred images takes the better part of 30 minutes on a Macbook Pro Core2Duo 2.4GHz running 2GB RAM (which gets maxed out very quickly on the Drizzle). But the results are definitely worth it.

Have you had experience with the GStar colour camera? Is it as good as the Mallincam Hyper? Now that is a bit of gear which looks like it will Rock and Roll. Of course, at USD1200 it ought to roll quite a long way ... Still cheaper than a QHY8.

Regards,
Tony B.