M104 - unguided

[jenchris]

I've taken a few shots of M104 and DSS'd them not expecting to get a lot of detail.

This came out better than I'd anticipated so I thought I'd humbly present it for scrutiny.
I'm only beginning to get the hang of this stuff so I'm quite pleased that I got an image at all.

40 approx x approx 30sec ISO 800 and 1600 mixed
8 darks

[jjjnettie]

Isn't it great what you can capture using short subs!
You've got to be really happy with that one Jen.

[allan gould]

Well done and keep practising. Its a thrill to get images that are good.

[RobF]

Congratulations Jennifer. Always pleasing when you get a nice surprise like that putting your data together.
I can recall seeing a B/W pic of this one in a text book from the 70s, and thinking at the time WOW! It was done with a massive reflector and film, but yours is right up there with it.

[Bassnut]

Why unguided? (given you have OAG)

[jenchris]

Unguided because my guide camera is not working....

[gregbradley]

Round stars, tiny object and 40 seconds unguided is very very good.

Greg.

[jenchris]

Thanks guys - I tried a similar run the next night and got an awful result - worked out that if the battery is really topped up, I can get superb tracking with no problems - battery more than one day off the top and it's ordinary!
Might go for a bigger battery (7a/h at the moment) and get more stability - I have a deep cycle 38a/h that will fill the bill quite well!