Omega Centauri - First test shot

[trufflehunter (Wayne Robinson)]

The T-adaptor arrived from scopestuff this week so I am finally able to attach the Nikon D70 to the LX90! I searched high and low for a t-adaptor of the 'short' variety that would ensure the camera clears the base of the fork arms. This one does it by a whisker, but wouldn't clear it with a focal reducer attached.

In spite of the moon, and my neighbours father who wanted to see what all the fuss was about, I decided to try it out tonight.
Alt-azimuth alignment, no guiding and had to rely completely on the accuracy of the go-to because Omega Centauri was nearly overhead so the camera was lost in the fork mount and I couldn't check through the view finder to center it! If nothing else, this shot is testimony to the accuracy of the go-to!

Single shot, 30secs at 400 ISO (I meant to use 800 but forgot to change it, @#$% neighbour chewing my ear off!). Focussed on the moon then slewed to Omega Centauri. Levels tweaked a little in Photoshop.

I'm quite pleased with it. Next time, with no moon, I'll take a series of shots at ISO800 or 1600 and stack them.

<img src="http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/trufflehunter/astro/DSC_0004s.jpg">

[gbeal]

Nice work Truffle,
I have quite successfully shot Omega with a single shot, but at a higher ISO (1250 or 1000), and a longer (3 minutes) shot. Stacking is a good way, but maybe try a longer shot first.
Either way, keep at it, it is working for you.
Gary

[iceman (Mike)]

Great work Wayne, another budding astrophotographer in our mix.

Can't wait to see your progressions.

[atalas]

Hi Wayne ,nice test shot welll centred, my Vixen Skysenser is not that accurate .

Louie

[trufflehunter (Wayne Robinson)]

Thanks Louie. Actually this image is a tad misleading. The original was a little above centre and I cropped it slightly. But I was happy Autostar found it coz I was running blind with all my fingers and toes crossed!

I'm thinking it would probably be a good idea to 'synch' on a nearby bright star before slewing to the object I want to photograph to increase the go-to accuracy. I'll certainly have to resort to some kind of tricks like that when photographing anything near the zenith.

But the bug has bitten... can't wait for some clear, dark skies!

btw Louie... did you get your scope's objective fixed up?

[ving (David)]

looks good for a quick low iso shot.

[atalas]

Not yet Wayne ,but have got someone to take it to do the job. I'll wait till after 7th of May now then I'll take it in. Aside that little job, I have all sorts of other problems trying to get autoguide working on the skysenser and getting the CFW/6 colour filter wheel working properly for the ST7 camera.

Louie

[beren]

Congrats Wayne , after just starting myself its a big thrill to get captures like that and i give similar testimony to the accuracy of the LX scopes , very handy indeed . Ive done a bit of testing with stacking images with shorter exposure times but i havent seen any great advantage over just using a single exposure using the the D70s N/R feature , im getting skyfog {light pollution} influence with 2-3 min exposures so i havnt really tried yet to see if this helps with stacking .

PS: What happened to the LOTR passage in your signature , tried to find that myself to add :}

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Well done Wayne! I'll expect a full photographic catalogue of the entire NGC by next Saturday....

[trufflehunter (Wayne Robinson)]

Beren Erchamion, son of Barahir, many thanks!
When the weather clears up I intend playing around with the ISO and then getting a handle on stacking. Unfortunately I'll have to stick to <30 secs because I'm working in alt-az.

As for the LOTR passage... I thought it was a bit long for a sig! It's one of my favourite passages. FOTR, Chapter 3 "Three is Company" when the four hobbits meet Gildor in the woods. There's another similar one in the Silmarillion, dealing with Varda creating the stars from the Vats of Telperion and Laurelin. I might dig that up next!

May your Luthien dance ever under the hemlock leaves of Neldoreth!

[trufflehunter (Wayne Robinson)]

I'm onto it Rod! But the hurrieder I go the behinder I get!

[beren]

Im ashamed , cant believe i couldnt find it , but i better not delve into middle earth mantra or i will get myself into trouble again {pssss: you might find this link good http://www.beren-luthien.com/ }

Should mention my stacking attempts have been usally with only a max of 15 images , havent got the computing power yet to fully explore the advantages. another thing i like about using the DSLR is i can get a image that reveals more then my eye can detect , even though the image might not be fit for display as a fancy pic its awesome to see deeper

[trufflehunter (Wayne Robinson)]

I know what you mean. It amazes me to see some of the images people have produced... galaxies and nebulae in incredible detail that only appear as a faint smudge at the eyepiece. Even my humble attempt above revealed even more detail as I nudged the gamma slider in the levels dialog in Photoshop. Stars came into view that were completely invisible in the original... it almost feels like cheating! But, oh, what a feeling!

(off to have a peek at that Tolkien site... ssshhh!)

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Speaking of all things Tolkien, I keep seeing Hugo Weaving in the city.....he doesn't look quite the same when he isn't dressed up as an elf!

[acropolite (Phil)]

Rodstar said: I keep seeing Hugo Weaving in the city.....

I always imagine him as agent smith...

[Rodstar (Rod)]

He looks much more like agent Smith in real life. Just missing the black suit and the sunnies!