First go at DSO Astrophotography - be nice lol

Forgey (Paula) · #1 10-03-2012, 02:58 AM

Had a go at my first DSO

M42
Saxon ED100 with Canon 1100D
6 Images stacked with DSS
Processed with CS5

Advice on improving is most appreciated

leon · #2 10-03-2012, 06:45 AM

M42 is always a difficult one even for the best of us, so for a first ever attempt you have done pretty well, it will only get better from here in, well done indeed.
As for advice i will leave that to the experts here.

Leon

spacezebra (Petra) · #3 10-03-2012, 09:11 AM

Hi Paula, this is a great start.

What was your exposure time on each image, and ISO detail.

Im sure that the more experienced astrophotograhers on IIS will chime in and guide you along.

Im pushing 2 minutes on each exposure, at ISO 800 (but that is only due to getting my alignment on my scope right). Ill post my first M42 image in a few minutes to give you an idea.

But im at the same point - still learning.

Cheers Petra d.

spacezebra (Petra) · #4 10-03-2012, 09:33 AM

This is one of my early M42's

only 3 x 120s - as I was working on my alignment, but im hoping to go 5 minutes.

Click image for larger version

Name: M42_PdR.jpg
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ID: 110620

Cheers Petra d.

BlackWidow (Mardy) · #5 10-03-2012, 12:23 PM

Hi Paula... Great first shot... No laughing here at all.. We all had to take our first shots and trust me some of mine were really bad.. Yes you will improve and they will get better and better. Leon is correct in saying this is a difficult target as it has a very bright center. Most of us seem to start on this one as it is easy to see and find.. You will find you will get better results on dimmer targets... The thing I found is that most people (none Astronomy types) are not able to do this and will find your shots very impressive! It's just on this site thier are so many REALLY good shots taken by very expensive equiptment. My advice is be really happy with your shot and enjoy what your are doing. Good first shot..

Regards
Mardy

Lester · #6 10-03-2012, 01:40 PM

It is always rewarding to see the first colour come out of our first DSO image. Good start Paula.

A nebula with more even brightness is easier to capture and process. The Orion nebula really needs multiple different length exposures to over come the very bright centre and still get the outer fainter regions.

The Eta Carina nebula comes to mind as a good starter, still bright but with less extreme areas.

All the best.

Forgey (Paula) · #7 10-03-2012, 03:27 PM

Thanks guys , it was 6 10sec exposures @ iso800 due to polar alignment still being a bit out

multiweb (Marc) · #8 10-03-2012, 03:29 PM

Superb data Paula. You're well on your way.

Starcrazzy · #9 11-03-2012, 10:12 AM

Good Job Paula. Im just getting into DSO photography aswel. What mount are you using? My first attempt was also on M42. Got lots of nice colour but i had obvious drifting problems. I purchased a stand alone autoguider from ebay ($300) and I havnt looked back. It seems obvious, but if you spend the time to drift align and get it as close as possible, it pays off.Even with the auto guider.
Its the joy in captering your own images that makes this hobby rewarding. There will always be bigger and better shots taken using setups that cost the price of a house, but when you can hold a picture in your hand, that you took, of some far off nebula or Galaxy, its incredibly rewarding.
Keep it up mate...

Ps, have you looked into dark frames yet?

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #10 11-03-2012, 11:19 AM

Hey Paula
The second shot is really nice, starting to get some finer details and the centre is not as blown out. Well done!

Malcolm

Forgey (Paula) · #11 11-03-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starcrazzy

Good Job Paula. Im just getting into DSO photography aswel. What mount are you using? My first attempt was also on M42. Got lots of nice colour but i had obvious drifting problems. I purchased a stand alone autoguider from ebay ($300) and I havnt looked back. It seems obvious, but if you spend the time to drift align and get it as close as possible, it pays off.Even with the auto guider.
Its the joy in captering your own images that makes this hobby rewarding. There will always be bigger and better shots taken using setups that cost the price of a house, but when you can hold a picture in your hand, that you took, of some far off nebula or Galaxy, its incredibly rewarding.
Keep it up mate...

Ps, have you looked into dark frames yet?

The mount is a meade starfinder and yeah still got to get polar alignment set up perfect but its getting better each time i do it.

As im still new this im still working out all about darks/lights etc frames but ill get there.

Poita (Peter) · #12 11-03-2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forgey

The mount is a meade starfinder and yeah still got to get polar alignment set up perfect but its getting better each time i do it.

As im still new this im still working out all about darks/lights etc frames but ill get there.

Give WCS a go for alignment, it should work with the celestron camera I think, makes it very easy to get it perfect.
http://wcs.ruthner.at/IS-WCS-Setup_202.exe

Forgey (Paula) · #13 11-03-2012, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poita

Give WCS a go for alignment, it should work with the celestron camera I think, makes it very easy to get it perfect.
http://wcs.ruthner.at/IS-WCS-Setup_202.exe

Thanks Peter i'll give it a go.

Moonman (Michael) · #14 11-03-2012, 07:13 PM

Well done Paula!

Good to see the Trapezium stars in the second shot.

My first aim with astrophotography is to first make sure I'm enjoying myself and then once I'm there I think about how to up the ante and improve the quality.

In a little while no doubt you will be thinking of autoguiding etc. but take it all one step at a time.

Kind regards

Michael