Just 5 mins on M8

[John K]

Well still not being able to get proper guiding on my 12.5" f/5.

Currently trying to use K3CCDTools with an 80mm short focus finder and my SkyNyx 2.0 but just cannot getting it happening well which is incredibly frustrating as the optics on my scope have such potential. Will be giving MetaGuide a go shortly to see if things can improve.

Attached is M8 at ISO 1600 at only 300 seconds with a 400D from very dark skies at Terrick Terrick NP in the heart of Northern Victoria.

Now just need about 5-10 of these images to stack, with darks, flats etc!!

John K.

[TrevorW]

Probably a tad to red and stretched IMO but not bad for only 5 minutes

[jjjnettie]

That's some nice detail for that exposure time. :)

You know what...
Just thinking aloud here, but,
I think a 5 minute imaging challenge would be great fun. Nothing formal, just a thread where we show what can be done in just 5 minutes on a variety of targets using different cameras and scopes. It doesn't have to be a single shot either, 10x30secs, 5x1min etc means even those just starting out with imaging could join in too. :)

[John K]

That was part of the idea - sharing something as simple as a 5 min exposure.

I know it can never compete against some of the incredible images you guys post on the threads here, but I still find it amazing what today's technology can achieve even with a single 5 mins shot.

My main issue at the moment is finding the right set up to track properley the NGT 12.

Can anyone offer some suggestions with using K3CCD tools to track and guide? Will also be trying METAGUIDE.

The issue I have is I am using a SKYNYX 2.0 camera, so at this point only K3CCD Tools and METAGUIDE seem to support this camera right?

John. K.

p.s. yep, a bit over done on the red channel to highlight the nebulosity on my part, does not look too bad on my laptop screen which is out

[Ross G]

Hi John,

Very good for a single 5min exposure.

Once you get your guiding sorted I think some amazing photos will follow.

Thanks.

Ross.

[Lester]

Hi John, good to see an image from you after a long break. DSOs are a new challenge after Jupiter, and your image is very good. Hope to see more Jupiter images from you in the near future. All the best.

[John K]

Thanks Lester,

you are right, imaging Deep space objects I think is way harder than planetary stuff, but for planetary stuff waiting for good seeing is more difficult, so overall they propably cancel each other out!

Just waiting to get my 5 x powermate back and then it will be Jupiter time! (As well as deep sky stuff in between offcourse).

John K.

[atalas]

One 5 minute sub....great effort.