My First DSO Attempt (New Additions)

gavcol (G) · #1 19-03-2013, 08:30 PM

Hi Everyone

This is my first attempt at DSO imaging, it was more of a trial run and play with Backyard EOS program as well.

Equipment Used:

Skywatcher ED80 Pro Refractor
Canon 1100D (Unmodified)
Backyard EOS Software
Orion Skyview Pro Mount

This really is a first time DSO image (beginners level) and my first foray into DSO work, I have been generally webcam imaging planets (much easier).

The image was only 5 seconds of 6400 ISO unguided snap shot at prime, it has not had any real after processing done to it at all (no flats, no darks, no photoshop etc). It was windy and seeing was ok.

It was actually an accidental image as I didn't look at the ISO before commencing and then cancelled the image 5 seconds in. It actually ended up being one of my better images

.

I did do a number of different length images at ISO's 400 - 800 but when stacking them in DSS I found that stars were elongated and a number of other alignment issues. I found that the detail was lost more on stacking as well. I think the mount isn't really up to it and I know I haven't really aligned it properly.

On onwards and upwards from here.

Thanks for looking

Gav

LewisM · #2 19-03-2013, 11:02 PM

Per ardua, ad astra!

Good start, that's for sure! Walks all over my first astroimage, which I then proceeded to TRY stretching... well, that was... interesting

gavcol (G) · #3 20-03-2013, 06:00 AM

Hi Lewis, you are too kind!

Yes it is always a struggle here (Through adversity to the stars)

So going by your opening line I am guessing you are either a literature buff (The People of the Mist) or you belong or have belonged to a certain type of organisation which I know uses this for their motto!

Or perhaps the M in your username is the same one for which a certain Irish family which has used this as their family motto?

Interested if you want to share.

Regards

Gav

LewisM · #4 20-03-2013, 09:31 AM

There may be an association with the Chair Force... in a round-about way.

ving (David) · #5 20-03-2013, 11:22 AM

single frame? cool. imagine stacking a bunch of the same. i am sure in ps you could tweak more out of this too.

carlstronomy (Carl) · #6 21-03-2013, 12:21 AM

Nice qaulity for 1 frame and nice for a first try. Very good.

Carl

Lee · #7 21-03-2013, 10:56 AM

Pretty good really - stars round, focus OK - now take a bunch, with some darks, and see the improvement....

gavcol (G) · #8 21-03-2013, 04:47 PM

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

I did try stacking with DSS but had really poor results.

Are there any other DSO stacking program's?

Does anyone else find DSS difficult to master?

I also don't think my mount is up to it either.

I will have another go stacking with what I have from the other day (which isn't much!). I will then post and hopefully get some feedback on where I am going wrong.

Cheers

Gav

Larryp (Laurie) · #9 21-03-2013, 04:55 PM

Great first attempt, Gavin. You will get better and better

gavcol (G) · #10 22-03-2013, 10:07 PM

Hi All

As promised please see attached stacked image of 4 images at 20 sec 6400 ISO on the ED80 with a Canon 1100D (as per details below in original post but longer exposures).

No image editing done other than DSS Stack.

Cheers

Gav

gavcol (G) · #11 24-03-2013, 02:16 AM

Another M42 taken tonight with a little bit of messing around with RGB,Luminance and Saturation in DSS.

Still trying to get the hang of DSO work.

Same set up as before SW ED80.

Cheers

Gav

gavcol (G) · #12 29-03-2013, 02:03 AM

Hi Everyone

So besides spending about half an hour on Eta Carina tonight, I also got about half an hour in on M42 before it went behind the trees.

Moon was high and bright

.

But least the sky was clear

.

Setup:

Skywatcher 120 F5 Achromatic Refractor
Orion Skyview Pro Mount
Canon 1100D (unmodified)
Backyard EOS

This is still trying to work on my first DSO target I ever imaged about 2 weeks ago (not same images, these are new - refining my attempt at M42). Just trying to refine the new images taken to look a little more natural than the last images taken.

Also a little bit more aperture than the first images with the SW ED80.

No real playing with it in any other program than DSS and then compressed in Picture Manager.

First images lights only and second lights and dark flats.

Thanks for looking

Gav

ving (David) · #13 29-03-2013, 09:34 AM

think i prefer the last ED80 shot

gavcol (G) · #14 29-03-2013, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

think i prefer the last ED80 shot

Fair Enough David.

Could you give me reasons why, out of interest and for development purposes

.

Personally I am torn, I was happy with my last image with the ED80, but I also like the SW 120 images as well. I think the new ones look a little sharper and I actually like the colours! I thought for a fast achromat it did a fair job.

Cheers

Gav