M104 - Unguided

[sadia]

Scope: TEC160FL (still no flattener)
Mount: AP1200
Guiding: Imaged unguided near meridian with PEC on
Exposure: 23x 3min

Image Link (https://5648241463035185644-a-1802744773732722657-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/astrophotographysite/Home/aasmall.jpg?attachauth=ANoY7cqUpPIE vwdPyvOoiieloWL8G6KtyjWFBCXHSUsbi78 JeYe-K_Kwe4bfZt49sOgZAVQ_VgTDkcfgPsG3U0Y 3kwA8nY1ucYhLsytU6bNiuHO4jSfICzKYEQ o-C1oNNVNv2Fp216bdmf0JQpe8ymE0jEbA9LI qfbhZ14ZE0KnFpq6zAWXLY3nTqh3qgF4VLa uWmIj-JcZAa6jJKXg4JRqc4QFraatOZA%3D%3D&attredirects=0)

After some initial problem we managed to get the required parts to mount the AP1200 on the pier. Polar alignment is still a bit off and recorded PEC can be improved I believe.

[gregbradley]

Very nice Sadia.

Its good to be able to get round stars with any mount 3 minutes unguided.

What camera is that?

Greg.

[John Hothersall]

Quite a bit of detail in the dust lane and arms, love this galaxy.

John.

[richardo]

I agree with Greg, Sadia,
if you're getting out to 3min unguided with these nice round stars, then your mount is going well.
Auto guiding will be a breeze!

Just one thing, there is more data to be brought out with this image.
Depending on what software you are using, try doing a DDP or find a better curve to stretch things more.
I think you'll be surprised.

Rich

[Hagar]

Very nice Sadia. Guiding should add another dimention to your images if you can manage this unguided.

[multiweb]

Dream field! :thumbsup: I don't even get stars like that by guiding. :lol:

[sadia]

Thank you guys. My partner was literally jumping in joy. We bought the mount second hand. Though second hand it was almost new with most of the items still in the original sealed bag. Once we installed everything then we noticed a small problem while tracking. After exchanging few email back and forth, AP sent us a replacement gear for RA. This was the first light with the new gear. The most annoying part in the whole process was the uncertain weather. I see Paul is having some problem with his ME and I think I know exactly how he feels with the weather. The weather made our troubleshooting a very very long process.

[sadia]

Still with STL11k Greg.

[Cosmic]

Very inspirational, well done indeed.

[DavidU]

Awesome effort without guiding.Well done.