Anyone for a hamburger

[Grimmeister (Anthony)]

Hi Everyone,

I have finally managed to get out and do some imaging last weekend and was the first time since December 2013 (queue the SEQ whining factor LOL).

Anyway I decided I haven't shot a close up of the Hamburger Galaxy (NGC 5128) with my RC8, I managed to get about 2 hours of data before the cloud rolled in and ruined the evening but I am still happy with the result. The image was taken at 300 seconds each exposure at ISO 800 with darks, flats and bias frames subtracted. Not quite an APOD worthy image but I am pretty chuffed. I was especially happy with the EQ8 mount, since I made a small adjustment to the RA Axis it behaved flawlessly and guided extremely well so I can safely say I think I have all the bugs ironed out.

Cheers

Anthony

[astronobob (Bob)]

Good data there, nice colours, a little soft (maybe due to conditions ? ) some background sky colour ballancing needed, but id be chuffed with that too, grouse image

[carlstronomy (Carl)]

Really nice image, nice detail and colours for a short session. I too was out between the clouds and got 1.5 hours of the Horse hope to get more over the next few days if these clouds go away!!

Carl

[Grimmeister (Anthony)]

Thanks guys,

Yeh it is a little soft and I think this was mainly a focus issue (the default GSO focuser leaves a bit to be desired and I think I will need to look into a moonlight focuser), the seeing was also a little hazy and that wouldn't help.

But hey after 3 months of no sky time I am just happy to have had a shot at the night sky .

Cheers

Anthony

[allan gould]

Great image there Anthony with good colour and detail.
It certainly looks as if the EQ8 was performing well and gave an excellent image.
Allan

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Good image, nice detail, well done !

[kosh]

Nice image Anthony

Galaxies can be hard to do well seeing as they are so faint and distant, and generally require heaps of good data to get any detail at all.
With only two hours of exposure you should be real happy with this one.

Goran.

[Grimmeister (Anthony)]

Thanks again,

Yes Alan after the adjustments to the RA Axis the mount was really tracking well and movement was only about .25 - .5 of a pixel when guiding with PHD2 and was best I have had to mount track so I hope that is the end of any tinkering required on the mount

Thanks ZeroID, given the time of year and conditions I was surprised it came out as well as it did.

Thanks Kosh, I agree lots of data (and better focus) is required and considering my night was cut short with cloud early in the morning I am happy. such is life in SEQ at this time of year.

Cheers

Anthony