Hadar Photo

[W1ngnut (Sam)]

Hi all,

This is my first post so please be gentle

Just for a pre information part - I am using the following equipment:
HEQ5 Pro mount
Celestron 8SE SCT OTA
Piggybacked Orion ShortTube 80
Starshoot Autoguider (PHD Guiding)
Canon 60D

I am really getting into astro photography a LOT, but have some questions that might be very simple to answer, I am not sure.

Last night was my first attempt with my new autoguider (the Orion Starshoot Autoguider) and it in itself worked very well (although, I found that I was unable to guide on anything too bright).

Since I was just mucking about learning how to use the autoguider, I didn't focus too much on my exposures or anything of the sort. However, I did one 5' exposure on Hadar, and of course, the first thing I noticed was how much sky glow I have here in Gilmore, Canberra.

Sky glow I can process out reasonably okay with Photoshop CS5 but my first question relates to possibly a focus issue.

If you have a look at my photo here of Hadar (post processed the sky glow out), I cannot help but notice that all the 'distant' surrounding stars are just round dots. Should these be in focus or is this a normal result?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/w1ngnut32/5892801950/

I am keen on photographing both DSO's and Planetary and have done 'reasonably' well with Saturn and Registax, however DSO's I am finding quite difficult at the moment. I have ordered an Astronomik UHC and OIII filters from Bintel to help with my nebula photos, but outside of that, I'm in deep water without knowing how to swim .

Feel free to have a look at my other Astro Photos on my Flickr page. These are all my other attempts, however, unguided.

Regards
Sam Frizza

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

Hello w1ngnut,
as a learner like yourself I have often had these round star issues. Everyone on here swears by a Bahnitov mask, so you can live view the bright star and focus then dash to the glorious DSO. I have one and it seems straight forward if you can lock your focus, plus you remember that focus changes with temp and the weight of your camera might draw the focus tube out if you slew high (like mine!)
If you don't have a mask, you can google a hartman mask and make one yourself, or go to IIS ads and order one. You can use Live view on your cam also.
Remember, there ain't nothing higher than Astronomy!!
Keep the faith,
Ps I am amazed and jealous you got PHD working already, I have tried for a year to get that bugger working, I think it's because the dog chewed the connections, maybe I should try new leads?!!
Graham

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Sam.

Yep definitely out of focus. Thank goodness for Mr Bahnitov. Where would we be without him. Probably trying something like Focus Assist (XP only I think)

[renormalised (Carl)]

Yep, out of focus

Grab a bahtinov mask from Bintel to fit your scope.

Also, for DSO's....more subs and take flats and darks. Try 1 to 5 minute subs and stack those. Get your polar alignment as spot on as you can, as well.

Planetary and lunar pics....grab yourself a modded webcam or a DMK21, a filter wheel and some filters from Bintel. Much better than a DSLR camera for that type of work.

[midnight (Darrin)]

Yep, try your liveview mode on the 60D. Find a bright star and zoom 10X. That will help you until you get some form of mask or other aid.

Cheers,
Darrin...

[W1ngnut (Sam)]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

I do have 2 Bahtinov masks from Bintel actually, I just haven't worked out how to mount them on the scopes. They have the 3 tabs on the outside of the masks but nothing to hook them over.

For focusing, I have been using live view mode on the 60D connected to my laptop and zoomed in 200%. It has been better than trying to use the straight up live view mode, but still playing around. Focus is very very touchy!!

I'll have to look up what it means to take flats. I understand darks without any problem, but flats and bias frames are a little unknown at the moment.

Regards
Sam