Hey all, I was looking into astrophotography recently, and came to the conclusion that at this point, I'm not going to be able to afford to get into it properly.
As a result, I've been exploring alternatives, including the Global Rent a Scope system. Hereafter referred to as GRAS.
The following two images represent the first 2 proper astro-images I've ever taken... or at least, I clicked a button and an automated telescope in new mexico took the pictures.
These I took using the free trial of the G3 scope in the last 2 days. A 150mm Takahashi refractor using an SBIG CCD camera.
no processing has been done on either image (though I may tinker in future). They are as they arrived in my email inbox after taking them.
I just thought some people curios about the GRAS system could take a look at what the base level system can do.
Obviously if you subscribe, you get more scopes, more control, and therefore (in theory) better results.
While the results are noisy and primitive compared to the images seen elsewhere on this forum, I would present the following facts:
1. Setup time was about 20 seconds to log in and take the picture.
2. I did it at the comfort of my desk at work while I was munching on a burger on my lunch break.
3. The imaging progress screen looked like a ICBM launch control system which impressed my co workers.
Anyway; I submit for your viewing pleasure;
M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy (with Supernova!)
M57 - Ring Nebula.
Enjoy!