Iceman does DSO's!! Jewelbox and Omega Cent!

[iceman]

Who'd have thunk it!? :)

These two DSO images were taken tonight, at about 8pm from my backyard with the 10" GSO Dob on the EQ platform, 14mm Meade UWA s4000 eyepiece, and Canon 350D sitting on top of a tripod pointing the 18-55mm lens into the eyepiece.

The jewelbox is 3 shots @ 2.5s each, ISO 1600, NR on, stacked in registax and curves adjusted in photoshop.

The omega centauri is a single shot @ 4s, ISO 1600, NR on, curves adjusted in photoshop.

It was kind of fun taking them, since they're my first DSO images through the telescope with the 350D :) I don't think i'll make a career out of it though :)

Comments welcome. :eyepop:

[avandonk]

All I can say is don't give up your night job! Imaging planets. All jokes aside good result considering the technique.

Bert

[h0ughy]

Hey that what I normally produce Mike,when do you get your GEQ mount Mike!

[Robby]

Not bad Mike... Good start...
I can see a GEM and an SCT/MCT in you near future! :P Just don't tell the wife.. :D
Cheers

[Striker]

I'm not going to say anything....

100% for effort.....sorry I had to Mike....lol

[mojo]

Ok ok. I wont ask anymore if you've used your 350D with the telescope. Thanks :)
Now I suppose you'll go back to taking those terrible Jupiter images that will never get onto APOD.

[davidpretorius]

at least you are having fun and thats all that matters!!

[asimov]

Great stuff Mike! Yep! Fun is the name of the game here.

Good on ya!

[gbeal]

I remember those days.
Silly question perhaps, but why afocal? Why not simply do them again at prime focus. You may/will be surprised how good they come out, as long as the tracking is better than average, and you keep the exposure times short.
At least try it.
Gary

[iceman]

Thanks (I think) for the comments :)

Gary, I'm under the impression that I won't be able to get focus at prime focus, unless I move the mirror up the tube. So that's why I did afocal.

Oh and also because I don't have any of the adapters required to do prime focus.

[gbeal]

Mike,
OK, if that is the case, then yes, afocal is the only way. If the bug bit though at least try (just handhold the camera) focusing it, and across the street will do during daylight.
It may also be worth slipping the mirror as far forward as you can on the collimation adjustments, just in case this helps.
If not a relay lens system can also be used, but I agree with Rob, time for a GEM/MCT.
Great effort considering though.
Gary

[ving]

well... i like the jewelbox :)