First attempt M83

Iain.k (Iain) · #1 01-05-2016, 12:34 PM

The clouds parted for a short while and was able to get some images.
an assortment of 10-15 minute exposures using an Atik16ic color with the ASI120MM as a guide camera.
Would love to get more data on it, but still happy for a first attempt at it!

Would love any comments or recommendations.

thegableguy (Chris) · #2 02-05-2016, 10:02 PM

I'm hardly qualified to comment but feel bad this hasn't generated any response!

Looks orright to me. What scope is this taken through, what focal length? Looks similar to my own first attempt at M83 a few weeks ago with my ED80...?

One thing I will suggest is exporting your JPG in smaller dimensions - it's a very large, very low-res image for me. Would look better at its native resolution rather than blowing it up; when I zoom out to 25% it looks about right.

Depending on what scope and focal length this was, not sure if the stars are slightly blurry / haloed due to less-than-perfect focus, or sharpening, or your optics, but I feel they should be a bit tighter. If I had to guess I'd say focus because that was my exact problem when imaging last night and this is how they looked.

Take everything I say with a grain of salt - I know pretty much nothing, I'm very new to all this! Looks good though mate, keep it up.

Atmos (Colin) · #3 02-05-2016, 10:09 PM

It certainly is a nice start. It looks like what is letting it down is its focus. The brighter ones look bloated and some of the smaller ones do look like donuts. With the resolution that you have gotten on the galaxy so far, it could look considerably nicer than it already does

Getting the focus spot on and it looks like you'll have a really nice setup going there

rustigsmed (Russell) · #4 03-05-2016, 01:38 PM

I'm not familiar with the camera.
did you apply flats? looks like there maybe some dust bunny action in the first version.

cheers

Iain.k (Iain) · #5 03-05-2016, 01:48 PM

Hi Chris,

taken through a 70/700mm refractor, Cheers for the tip about exporting it to a smaller dimension. I would say it was my focusing also, I appreciate the comments! Hopefully we will have some clear skies to try and improve it a little. My main difficulty is getting the focus spot on.

Cheers for the comments!