Another Scorpius with a fifty

[xelasnave]

I tried to get this with 25600 iso a couple of nights ago cause the clouds were rolling in but not even high iso saved the day.
Tonight I put the camera on the HEQ5, set 5 sec exposures and ISO at3200 expecting a couple of minutes before the clouds hit..I managed 57 minutes and stacked 53 minutes..no flats and 50 dark frames..the noise was terrible but I am happy cause at least I got something for braving the cold.

alex

[glend (Glen)]

Looks like a Jelly Fish with tentacles. Nicely done Alex.

[floyd_2 (Dean)]

Great effort mate - love the result! It’s looking like this winter is going to separate the men from the boys . It might be time to break out the freezer suit (and that’s just so I can polar align and then hide inside my heated obsie for some EAA. Respect for braving the chill Alex

[xelasnave]

Thank you Gentlement.
Heck downsizing has not been kind..The focus was perfect but you would not know looking at the image here.
I sure wish I would have the courage to go with a much lower ISO.
It's 5am and it's 3 degrees in the van and I think if not for these little heat pads I would be dead but I feel nice and warm as I had one to start the evening on my chest and one on the camera lens so after imaging I got to use the one that was on the camera.
The dew was much less last night but still way more than acceptable and once I would not even bother on such a night but I need the practice.
Thanks again.
Alex

[N1 (Mirko)]

Great effort Alex, you caught some nice bits of the dark nebulosity in that area. And the Blue Horsehead!

I'd say give it a go at lower ISO (say between 1200-2000) and longer exposures of a few minutes each. At 50mm, the mount doesn't have to be arcsecond-aligned for that. Also produces fewer subs for the computer to crunch. What aperture setting were you using?

[Startrek (Martin)]

Alex,
Another great wide field showing some nice details
Winter is definitely here but at least we are getting some clear sky time for a welcome change

Well done !!
Martin

[xelasnave]

Hi Mirko, thank you for your advice.

I would have gone for lower ISO but I have been getting caught out by the clouds so I figure high ISO and grab what I can...but last night as it did not cloud in as I expected I just kept going.

I have a problem with the mount in that it does not have appropriate counter weights and is trailing badly in RA ..the current counter weight is a set of allen keys taped to tbe shaft which are only usless really. I will make a decent counter weight today out of something and hopefully go for some longer exposures...I do now have an intervalometer so I can go as long as I like once I fix the counter weight situation.

But I am very happy as this lens was one of those that I was having trouble focusing but it now focuses rather well... those three little stars were pin point but that does not show after downsize.....hmmmm making a counterweight may be a problem as I just realised I don't have any materials..I usually make them using resin and sinkers.. mmm maybe some fine concrete? Maybe go into Tabby and get some lead flashing....mold one.

I might add auto guiding mainly to get dither and check out the guiding gear.

It is wonderful to have these things to work on.

Alex

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by Startrek

Alex,
Another great wide field showing some nice details
Winter is definitely here but at least we are getting some clear sky time for a welcome change

Well done !!
Martin

Thank you Martin.

I am rather happy how I am managing the cold.

A side effect of my meds was increasing my sensativity to cold such that I felt cold at 17 degrees a while back so now not being bothered at near freezing is great...it is now only 9 degrees in the van but I am fine.

The dew is still too much to do any serious imaging unfortunately but I am making do with these wide fields...one must has to make the best of it.

Alex

[JA]

Lovely image Alex and good on you for getting out there between the clouds. In Melbourne the sky is a sea of grey.

Best
JA

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by JA

Lovely image Alex and good on you for getting out there between the clouds. In Melbourne the sky is a sea of grey.

Best
JA

Thanks JA again thanks mainly to your help. It is funny just how sharp this little fifty is and certainly at the moment I won't be buying more lens or camera...

My plan is to keep at it so that when I get a decent sky I am prepared..just opening and closing brings efficiency the more I do it...I was going to do flats for this image but I was just so tired.. I spoke to Glen earlier and said I was going to bed cause the clouds were here but when I went out an hour later it was clear so I though not to wimp out be a man and do my best..what Mum always told me when she was alive.. and so I had a most enjoyable night and importantly got to play with my old eq6 mount and bring it closer to doing real work again...four set ups running all at once is my goal so not to waste any good night's as they really are rare.

Alex

[Dave882 (David)]

Mate that’s a great wide-field shot! I really love that area with all its colour and detail- you’ve done really well to capture that between the clouds!!

[AstroViking (Steve)]

Alex, that's excellent work!


One good thing about imaging in the cold with a DSLR is that you don't need to worry so much about thermal noise from the camera.


Have a great weekend!
V

[xelasnave]

Thank you David and thank you Steve most wonderful to have your input.
Alex

[Kuz]

Top capture Alex. You have been posting some nice wide field images of late. I just think Rho Ophiuchi is one the coolest looking targets up there.