first try at Helix.

[raymo]

Got out at last, between clouds. Quick align only allowed 45 sec subs;
neighbour's wood smoke destroyed 20 of 50 subs, and high cloud
ruined another 9, so nowhere near enough data, but it's a start.
21x 45 secs @ 3200 8" Newt f/5.
raymo

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

nice work Ray, I've started collecting some data too, she's a faint one!

[raymo]

Cheers Russell, this one is going to be a bit of a challenge, with the
basic technique that I use.
raymo

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

That's a nice one Ray.

[raymo]

Thanks Kevin, it was a struggle last night.
raymo

[glend (Glen)]

Well Raymo you ahve inspired me to give the Helix ago - if we ever get clear skies again on the east coast.

I assume you had to reduce the size of your image to post it here. How exactly does one do that? My images are large files and if I save them as jpgs they seem to lose massive amounts of detail.

[raymo]

Hi Glen, last night was my first chance in 11 weeks because of the weather. Regarding downsizing, I do it in Photoshop[of which I have an ancient version]. It has a "downsize for the web" feature . I expect somebody else here will tell you another way if you don't have PS.
I suspect that somewhere in all the software that came with my Canon
there will be a means of doing it. The best way for you would be to join
Astrobin or similar, where all your high res images can be stored, and you can put a link to them in your posts. And it's free [although donations
gratefully accepted.]
raymo

[BruceG (Bruce)]

I know what you mean about the clouds Raymo. I think you have done a stunning job considering how little integration time you have. 3200 ISO - that 1100D is a pretty quiet machine all things considered. I too got out last night and made my first attempts at Helix. I haven't even looked at any subs yet. I'll get on to that tonight as the clouds are back.
Cheers, Bruce.

[raymo]

Thanks Bruce. Owing to the rough and ready alignment I was limited to short subs, so had to use 3200 in order to get any worthwhile data.
If it is clear tonight I'll use 1600. Now we have the moon to contend with.
raymo

[LightningNZ (Cam)]

Looks like a great first try to me!

Really nice having a decent focal length for such objects. My little AT65EDQ leaves the Helix looking very small.
Cheers,
Cam

[raymo]

Thanks Cam; Any serious imager who can afford it, really needs larger
aperture and/or longer focal length, on occasion. I can't afford an APO as well as my 8"Newt, so I think my scope is a good compromise.
raymo

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Well done Raymo. The Helix has a pretty low surface brightness. 45sec subs on a DSLR is illegal on the Helix, no normal person would attempt it. Your lucky you got away with it.

[raymo]

Thankyou very much Fred. I hope you don't dob me in to the correctness
cops. Next clear night I'll go for longer subs, and 1600 ISO.
raymo

[nebulosity. (Jo)]

As always, great stuff Raymo

Wish you were over here to make use of our awesome skies at present.

Jo

[raymo]

Thanks Jo, so do I. I've had another go at it, so here it is.
raymo

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Looking good raymo your noise is way better than mine

I want to try this now before it disappears, there's a lot of signal there for such short exposure time.

[Rex]

That's pretty good Raymo. For such a short total integration time you showing some good detail.

[raymo]

Thanks Rex. The reprocessing improved it somewhat, but I have to get out there again as soon as possible.
raymo