NGC1365 in Fornax

[tim.stephens (Tim)]

So after about four months of learning to use my new system and the basics of LRGB image processing, I've finished the first pass of NGC1365 with about 1.5h of L and another 1.5 of RGB.

Taken with a GSO RC8, Atix428ex heq5pro guided. 5 minute subs for each LRGB and RGB binned 2x2.

Larger here:
Astrobin

Bit of a gradient still but much better after removal.

Hope you enjoy :-)

Next target is the ring galaxy 1291 nearby. Tough to see the outer ring!

Tim

[andyc (Andy)]

High standard image indeed! Looks like you have the system going well

[jsmoraes (Jorge)]

Very nice image. Many details. Congratulations!
I already did it also. It is a very nice galaxy.

[tim.stephens (Tim)]

Thanks guys, lots of hard work and much help from IIS and our local group here in NZ. Most of the time was spent fixing the collimation and getting the HEQ5pro guiding properly. Total weight is 10.5kg and it is pushing the limits of the mount.

No dark subtraction but I might try this processing again using darks to see if I can remove some colour noise that limits the amount I can stretch the colour channels.

Also, might try removing some of the lower quality subs to increase overall stack quality...

Agreed, it is a beautiful target and just in the right spot for imaging at the moment.

Tim

[RickS (Rick)]

Nice work, Tim! Looking forward to your next target.

[Somnium (Aidan)]

really nice stuff Tim

[Flugel88 (Michael)]

Wow very nice Tim
You are getting better results from your GSO RC8 than i am getting with a GSo RC 14.
Your focus is looking good too! What focuser are you using?

[tim.stephens (Tim)]

haha STOCK focuser would you believe!! Very light imaging train - just a five position FW and the ATIK 428ex. I focus with a home brew Bahtinov.

I do want to upgrade but can't afford to at present.

But, on the horizon is a motorised focuser for the winter months (temperature changes between 10 and 15 C from day to night here in NZ, and fast). I've made the ascom compatible version following the guide on the yahoo users group.

Works brilliantly, just need to finish making a bracket and then some cloudy nights to complete the project.

Tim

BTW, I've been experimenting with adding dark frames (none on the original image) and despite what others say about the 428ex not requiring darks, I can say that it does make a noticeable difference during processing. I can only cool to -5C at the moment at current temperatures (single stage cooling).

So, I may add another image at some point to show the comparison with 10 darks at -5C...

[tim.stephens (Tim)]

Also, I should follow up on the original post - I've finished 1291 but the results aren't as spectacular as I'd hoped... perhaps I'll post them but have moved onto M78 before it goes over the horizon...

Too many interesting things to photograph!!!