Getting back into it ...M83

[Cosmic]

Hi all,

After quite some time away from capturing DSOs, it was time to have yet anther crack at the Southern Pinwheel galaxy. With only light frames 10x120sec at 400iso and a sensor temp of 36 degrees, I think I did the best I could with it.

I'm interested to know whats the best filter for eliminating light pollution money can buy. With the dry session here the red levels are is just through the roof on the RGB level chart. As for the the heat of 550d sensor, im just going have to get a astro CCD in the near future.

All in all it was just great throw the telescope back up, and blow off the cobwebs!!

Dan.

[jjjnettie]

:) Nice one Dan.
I feel your pain re. 550d.
I've only just put mine back into service over the last couple of days. It's finally cool enough to use for DSO's.

[Cosmic]

Thanks Jeanette. Its a shame about the 550's sensor, but then I have seen some beautiful results from this camera. ...so there is hope haha.

[Cosmic]

Just a repro and frame from this capture. Not as much data there as I was hoping, but I cant whinge considering this setup :) Should say 2012 on the image, I forgot how long it has been. Once this rain disapperaers my obserberty can be build woohoo!

[cometcatcher]

Did you end up getting an LP filter? At really high temps an LP filter can actually make things worse due to an increase in exposure time which increases noise.

[strongmanmike]

Nice work Dan, I like your set up there :thumbsup: but must be hard imaging from Darwin, paricularly with an unmodded DSLR, what with the heat and humidity and haze etc..?

Mike

[atalas]

36 deg sensor!damn that must of been noisy....Dan,great effort considering.

[Cosmic]

Thanks guys for the kind words, it's a challenge to say the least. This image was heavily processed, it took more time doing that than capturing it. I didn’t end up getting a light filter for that one reason Kevin, I read that this would be a problem. In the near future ill have to grab a mono with LRGB, I think it’s the only way to go these days for great results.

[Marios]

Hi Dan

In regards to the high sensor temp do you pause between shots? I find this helps to cool the sensor by pausing for 1 minute per shot.

[Cosmic]

Only just back in the game now all this time later, I'll be doing that now Marios..Even with the cooler I made, I think ill further benefit with a added pause.

[Slawomir]

Nice work Dan, you must be really looking forward to the dry season!

[Cosmic]

Thanks Slawomir I surely am. Started imaging last night :D that astro bug has me again.