Lagoon and Trifid nebula from Sydney

[arifmshaikh]

Here is the images of Trifid & Lagoon nebula taken last Friday. I am in learning phase and this one is my best one. Both images were processed in DSS and GIMP. Coma corrector applied using GIMP lens distortion feature. To bring out more details I applied auto white balance, but this cause the central part burn out in both images.

Image Description:

GSO 8" f/4 newtonian RA motorized eq mount.
Canon EOS 400D
40 frames @ iso 1600 and 20 sec exposure.

Your feedback will be important to improve further.

Thanks you.

[Ross G]

Hi Arif,

Nice shots.

I like the colours in your Trifid Nebula.

What mount are you using and how are you focusing?


Thanks.

Ross.

[arifmshaikh]

Hi Ross

Thanks for your comments.

I am using normal mount comes with GSO or Bintel 8" reflector scope with R.A. drive motorised drive. Last time I was managed to get 3-4 minutes perfect tracking with rough polar alignment. Once I learn drift alignment, I think it can go more than that. Focusing is just trial and error, once I get perfect focus, I locked the focusing and use the APT tools to take the photos.

We meet at Dural Ponny Club every Friday which is not far from you.

Regards

[Ross G]

Hi Arif,

It's very good that you can get 3-4 minutes from your mount, especially with an 8" scope on it.

Get yourself a Bahtinov Mask for focusing. I used to be like you and focus by sight and my results seemed ok. However, when I started using a Bahtinov Nask there was such a huge improvement.

Your Dural Pony Club meetings sound interesting. What do you do there?


Thanks.

Ross.

[arifmshaikh]

Ross

I will buy this mask very soon. Pony club is observing site for SNAG group (http://60.242.153.180/SNAG/). I have started six month ago when I bought this scope, but needed practical help for polar alignment. And from there on with the help of Ken and Phil, I started photography. Come and meet us any clear Friday :)

[Ross G]

hI Arif,

Thank you for that.

Let me know when you are next going and we will come and have a look.

Thanks.

Ross.