Eta Carina Nebula (a bit of...)

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #1 19-04-2009, 09:34 PM

Humble beginings, but here is my first sucessful shot of anything using a Meade DSI Pro III Colour and my 20" dob!

Im quite pleased, even though the seeing is poor tonight. I'm not sure how good the tracking is for even shortish exposures, so it will be interesting to try.

This one is a handful of 30 second exposures stacked together and de rotated with envisage. I have left the IR blocking filter in place - I think the photo is more dramatic that way...

Hagar (Doug) · #2 19-04-2009, 10:55 PM

Great first image with the DSI. That is what can only be refered to as "Up close and personal" Look forward to seeing more.

Robbie · #3 19-04-2009, 11:19 PM

Good start keep em coming focusing a ccd is an art in itself and takes practice damn fine first effort way better than my first attempts.

iceman (Mike) · #4 20-04-2009, 04:48 AM

At that focal length you're sure going to need good seeing.
Great start!

peter_4059 (Peter) · #5 20-04-2009, 06:41 AM

Good to see another DSI convert Jonathan and good first shot. The de-rotation seems to have worked well. Do you know what the FOV is with that combination? I reckon it will be great for planetary nebs.

Peter

Tamtarn · #6 20-04-2009, 07:37 AM

DSI and 20" Dob! Great work Jonathon

allan gould · #7 20-04-2009, 11:06 AM

Great first light, have to be happy with that. You and that 20"..........sure gets you up close.
Love to see the size of a Bahtinov mask for that 20"

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #8 20-04-2009, 08:45 PM

Thank's for the encouragement! It will be intresting to see what the combination will produce - It will probably see more time on my 6" Mak, but for the time being, I can't help but play

Off to find a planetary neb ...

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #9 21-04-2009, 03:18 AM

Like Doug said, it up close and personal.
We've got good weather with us now Jonathan, looking forward to more.

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #10 22-04-2009, 10:44 AM

Here's a comparison.

This time using my 6" Mak with 65 1min exposures taken over two hours!

allan gould · #11 22-04-2009, 11:22 AM

Jonathan
The eq6/mak appears better than the 20" shot. Very nice and can even see the "fickle finger". Good guiding as well - you must be pleased with that. What F stop is the Mak? Maybe a focal reducer on the dimmer objects would make this a killer combo with the DSI III

peter_4059 (Peter) · #12 22-04-2009, 07:43 PM

Jonathan,

The latest image looks great as Allan says. What you NEED is an equatorial table for the dob (or an EQ12).

Peter

spearo (Frank) · #13 22-04-2009, 07:50 PM

Very nice
the Mak one is very good but the dob one sure is a serious close up!
keep 'em comin'
frank

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #14 22-04-2009, 08:24 PM

So do you think I should get one of these?

http://www.equatorialplatforms.com/alumplt.html

Dear Mr Rudd, your stimulus handout is woefully inadequate...

peter_4059 (Peter) · #15 23-04-2009, 05:53 AM

It looks like a "must-have" accessory.

allan gould · #16 23-04-2009, 02:25 PM

You "NEED" two. A 20" bino would be seriously nice.