Thursday evening & the sky remained clear of clouds for a change, as the sun went down still clear, quick check of the radar showed those pesky patchy showers that can drench you in seconds were kindly staying away.
I started setting up a bit late really, just didn't want to have to break it all down again quickly if the weather turned bad, as it turned out got a full night of 70odd% transparency & if SkippySky can be believed the usual vgood-excellent seeing.
Too long setting up...Where does this cable go again?...5 months is a long time for a novice like me...10PM!!
Forget the polar alignment just use the marks & setup from last year...she'll be right mate, besides you're relying on last years collimation so this could be rough anyway.
Mars was laughable, Saturn wasn't much better so I moved to M104 for an exposure tester.
Doubled the focal length with a 2x barlow, not smart with dodgy tracking but that's the scale I want, 18x5min lights, 6 darks, ISO800, cropped.
1.5 hours is no where near enough exposure, perhaps 6 hours minimum to do it justice.
Next came M16 at a more sensible native FL, 22x5mins lights, 7 darks, ISO1000, uncropped.
And lastly is a close up of the Pillars of Creation, just under 4 hours from 2 data sets neither of which are all that spectacular but it makes for my longest exposure yet.
I'm determined to learn that this year...patients, long exposures for a good image (alignment & collimation help too
).
All the images that make me drool are like 8+ hours exposure & I feel this is one of the most valuable lessons to learn...must learn.
Thanks for looking & listening, really was good to drag the scope out & get under the stars for a change.
Justin.