This started more as an equipment test of my new .7x focal reducer, OAG and Lodestar CCD. Also just to learn how to set up guiding with PHD. I was pleased when I finally got PHD calibrated and guiding. There was a bit of this
D'OH! Once the settings were right and everything settled down, I decided to see how long of a single sub I could get before the stars looked ugly. Got to 10 minutes (didnt test anything longer than that), and started to do a run of subs. The guiding wasn't perfect and the seeing was average and yes, the 60da's pixels are way too small for this focal lenght but im quite happy with this as a start.
I've got to say, this was a lot more challenging than slapping the Hyperstar on and snapping away, although I don't mean the difference in focal length but more of the difficulties in focus and framing, nothing comes through to the Live view screen at F7. I had to switch to looping short exposures to focus.
So here's my first guided image: NGC 253
2 x hours of 12 x 10min subs, Canan 60da @ ISO 800,
.7x focal reducer - FL 1960, C11 HD on CGEM DX
Guided with OAG/Lodestar.
Large image click here
This was my second deep sky image of a galaxy, I've decided to include my first for a bit of fun
M83 imaged with the Hyperstar (only 10 mins exp), you might have to squint
Thanks for looking