Great to see your post, Dean.
Definitely best not to worry about comparisons with other dedicated astrophotography images posted here. It is a “chalk and cheese” comparison. In my view, EAA observing is all about using technology to observe in almost “real time” and then moving onto the the next object. The techniques are quite different and will always lead to a different type of image outcome. It is not the quality of the image produced, but rather the significantly enhanced observation that is possible.
It is a shame there is not a separate EAA observing forum within IIS. I think there are now many more experienced “observers” such as yourself and David who are now predominately EAA observers. I, too am rapidly transitioning to predominantly EAA observing. I know this has been raised in the past to no avail. I have been thinking of experimenting with some EAA observation reports within the existing “Observation Reports” sub-forum. This of course, was the domain of visual observation reports, but is slowly "withering at the vine” because of lack of support and reports.
Quote:
Originally Posted by floyd_2
I've been a visual astronomer for more than 30 years, but age and light pollution are starting to catch up with me so I recently turned to EAA to help me stay in the hobby that I love. I don't really have the time (or skills) to produce the amazing images that others here show, so I try to squeeze what I can into relatively short sessions of 2-3 hours including viewing a number of objects EAA-style in any one sitting.
We've all seen NGC 3372 before - sorry to do this to you all. It's taken a bit of courage to show anything here as the work I see from others is just stunning. I thought Id show what's possible with relatively short / few exposures for anyone losing interest in astronomy. EAA has lit a fire in my belly and I'm back big time. I've seen more using my current rig than averted vision has ever allowed under suburban skies.
This one was taken with a Sharpstar 94EDPH triplet with reducer / field flattener, AZ-EQ5 guided (perhaps not well but I'm working on that) , ASI533MC-PRO (gain 101, cooled to 0C and no calibration frames) and Sharpcap Pro. I just used an IR filter in the hopes of preserving colour. Being colour blind I'm not sure how well I went at that  but I think it's possibly ok. It's only 12 x 40 second frames - just EAA astronomy and not further processed, but I'm loving how much more I can see in nearly real time with my gear. I should have done this a lot sooner. |