My progress over the last year (warning: may contain traces of M42)

RickS (Rick) · #1 24-12-2011, 08:26 PM

What a difference a year makes. The first image is M42 and the Running Man using a D700 DSLR on my FS-60 scope, with a Tak P2Z mount. It was taken in November 2010. The second was a test (commissioning my Atlas focuser) from a week or so ago, using a Starlight Xpress SXVR-H18 camera, FSQ-106ED scope and AP900 mount. If I can improve my results that much again by end of 2012 I'll be a happy camper. The wonderful thing about astro-imaging is that you can always do better, and there are always people producing images that clearly demonstrate this

Higher res version of the second image here: http://rickstevenson.smugmug.com/Ast...9_JCbRBjW-O-LB

Cheers,
Rick.

bartman (Bart) · #2 24-12-2011, 08:29 PM

Well Done Ric!
Hope to achieve the same soon!
Theres hope for me yet!
Cheers
Bartman

renormalised (Carl) · #3 24-12-2011, 08:32 PM

Rick...do I need to be inoculated??!!!

That's progress alright

Keep at it

allan gould · #4 24-12-2011, 08:35 PM

Stunning progress Rick, makes my progress look dismal by comparison.
Excellent photos.

RickS (Rick) · #5 24-12-2011, 08:43 PM

Thanks, guys. It helps to set the bar low to begin with

midnight (Darrin) · #6 24-12-2011, 09:55 PM

Fantastic Rick. Really good comparison and it is making me think of the CCD path.

Thanks for showing!

Darrin...

RickS (Rick) · #7 24-12-2011, 10:23 PM

Thanks, Darrin. A cooled CCD certainly helps, but there are people taking much better images with DSLRs than I ever did!

CoolhandJo (Paul) · #8 24-12-2011, 10:29 PM

Big difference! Nice.

ozstronomer (Geoff) · #9 24-12-2011, 10:38 PM

Stunning work Rick, congratulations on your achievements to date, well done

RickS (Rick) · #10 26-12-2011, 12:08 PM

Thanks, Paul & Geoff!

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #11 26-12-2011, 01:36 PM

Leaps and Bounds Rick.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #12 26-12-2011, 01:49 PM

Yes Rick, I recon that's an improvement

maybe a little too much smoothing perhaps but your latest version is nice work all the same.

So that's a great bit of kit you have there now too

Mike

RickS (Rick) · #13 26-12-2011, 02:17 PM

Thanks, JJJ & Mike!

Mike: I have one more bit of gear to go on the FSQ, a Precise Parts adapter to replace the stock focuser completely. Then, hopefully, I'll be happy

Cheers,
Rick.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #14 26-12-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickS

Thanks, JJJ & Mike!

Mike: I have one more bit of gear to go on the FSQ, a Precise Parts adapter to replace the stock focuser completely. Then, hopefully, I'll be happy

Cheers,
Rick.

Yes, that seems to be a necessary accessory with the FSQ and heavy gear.

Mike

richardo (Rich) · #15 29-12-2011, 12:37 AM

It maybe M42 but wow..... your latest version is sublime in comparison to your year ago effort.
The setup you have is a real winner for sure...

Processing looks good.
But... one thing that stands out.... is the noise reduction to the background. It's starting to take on a plastic look.. just back it off a tad.. or get more data to smooth things.

Other than that...... go forward and conquer I say!!

Rich

RickS (Rick) · #16 29-12-2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardo

It maybe M42 but wow..... your latest version is sublime in comparison to your year ago effort.
The setup you have is a real winner for sure...

Processing looks good.
But... one thing that stands out.... is the noise reduction to the background. It's starting to take on a plastic look.. just back it off a tad.. or get more data to smooth things.

Other than that...... go forward and conquer I say!!

Rich

Thanks, Rich. I used a new PI tool for the noise reduction and may have been a bit heavy handed. I would have preferred to have more data but the weather hasn't been cooperating...

Cheers,
Rick.