I recently setup a little hut (hardly worthy of the name "observatory") so I can finally dedicate some real time to a few targets. No more 2 hours a night eaten by setup / packup.
Took this NGC5128 from under the glow of Brisbane. I'm not sure how long it is because it seems Pixinsight doesn't record the total integrated duration anywhere, but I think there's between 8-9 hours of data based on the number of subs and rejections (of which there are a lot and as a result my mount is now in pieces).
Certainly am far happier with than than any one of my previous shots of it.
Not so much hypertuning rather decrapifying. I did find the RA worm was incredibly tight and the lock nut on the Dec axis was so tight I needed an oil filter wrench to get it off. Maybe that all had something to do with my crap guiding.
just read your comment about your "crap guiding"...
I have to ask this question...
Is your guide camera and imaging scope pointing at the same thing? If not you will get drift over a long enough exposure.
I took a 30 minute exposure of M16 a couple of weeks ago and found the stars were tracing an arc. Because of the dodgy webcam I am using as a guidecam, there are no stars bright enough near the Eagle to guide with, so I was forced to shift the guidecam about 15 degrees to the left to find a suitable star.
So, I now point the main scope and the guidescope at exactly the same point. Not wanting to brag but I am now able to pull 60 minute subs with only slight elongation. And that is probably due to PE on my HEQ5 Pro. PHD settings may be helping, but I am certain that having both scopes exactly aligned really is key.
I will upload the 60 minute sub soon...
But your picture looks excellent!
Hope this helps.
DJ Scotty
Last edited by DJScotty; 15-08-2014 at 10:47 PM.
Reason: Forgot to say something
