Lagoon and Trifid nebula from Sydney

[arifmshaikh]

Here is the images of Trifid & Lagoon nebula taken last Friday. I am in learning phase and this one is my best one. Both images were processed in DSS and GIMP. Coma corrector applied using GIMP lens distortion feature. To bring out more details I applied auto white balance, but this cause the central part burn out in both images.

Image Description:

GSO 8" f/4 newtonian RA motorized eq mount.
Canon EOS 400D
40 frames @ iso 1600 and 20 sec exposure.

Your feedback will be important to improve further.

Thanks you.

[Ross G]

Hi Arif,

Nice shots.

I like the colours in your Trifid Nebula.

What mount are you using and how are you focusing?


Thanks.

Ross.

[arifmshaikh]

Hi Ross

Thanks for your comments.

I am using normal mount comes with GSO or Bintel 8" reflector scope with R.A. drive motorised drive. Last time I was managed to get 3-4 minutes perfect tracking with rough polar alignment. Once I learn drift alignment, I think it can go more than that. Focusing is just trial and error, once I get perfect focus, I locked the focusing and use the APT tools to take the photos.

We meet at Dural Ponny Club every Friday which is not far from you.

Regards

Originally Posted by Ross G

Hi Arif,

Nice shots.

I like the colours in your Trifid Nebula.

What mount are you using and how are you focusing?


Thanks.

Ross.

[Ross G]

Hi Arif,

It's very good that you can get 3-4 minutes from your mount, especially with an 8" scope on it.

Get yourself a Bahtinov Mask for focusing. I used to be like you and focus by sight and my results seemed ok. However, when I started using a Bahtinov Nask there was such a huge improvement.

Your Dural Pony Club meetings sound interesting. What do you do there?


Thanks.

Ross.

[arifmshaikh]

Originally Posted by Ross G

Hi Arif,

It's very good that you can get 3-4 minutes from your mount, especially with an 8" scope on it.

Get yourself a Bahtinov Mask for focusing. I used to be like you and focus by sight and my results seemed ok. However, when I started using a Bahtinov Nask there was such a huge improvement.

Your Dural Pony Club meetings sound interesting. What do you do there?


Thanks.

Ross.

Ross

I will buy this mask very soon. Pony club is observing site for SNAG group (http://60.242.153.180/SNAG/). I have started six month ago when I bought this scope, but needed practical help for polar alignment. And from there on with the help of Ken and Phil, I started photography. Come and meet us any clear Friday

[Ross G]

hI Arif,

Thank you for that.

Let me know when you are next going and we will come and have a look.

Thanks.

Ross.