First light fun Atik 460EX - NGC253 & M20

[andyc (Andy)]

Well, I got to smash the new kit curse, with two perfect nights straight after collecting a shiny new Atik 460EX mono, filter wheel & Astronomik filters.

Am really happy with how sensitive it is, and the massive improvement in calibration quality (flats & bias = decently flat frames, something I'm not used to!). Artemis capture seems pretty straightforward too.

I got a very quick M20 as it set - 12min L, 8 min each R, G & B, 20min Ha. First time I've properly captured the H-H jet. Ha-LRGB first image, second image Ha only.

I took 30min on NGC253 (3rd image), and have to be happy, a bit more detail and depth than my longer exposures with the DSLR, and seems smooth and deep for 6x5min. I had 2 hours of DSLR from the weekend, was quite happy except for the streaky background, but may be a while before I do another DSLR session .

Am looking for good workflows in PI for LRGB combination (though I have hardly any data ), suggestions for LRGB/Ha-LRGB combination tips are welcome

[Crushellon (Tim)]

Looking good. There are a lot of good tutorials here http://www.lightvortexastronomy.com/tutorials.html including LRGB combination. As for the Ha integration, there is a HaRGB script in pixinsight.

[RickS (Rick)]

Congrats on the successful first light, Andy!

Have you signed up for Jim Morse's PixInsight cheat sheet? He has a great collection of stuff from the PI Forum and elsewhere that he updates and emails out. I won't post his email here but I'll send it privately it if you want (or you can find details on the PI Forum.)

I also have some notes I can send you that have a workflow and discuss options for Ha blending.

Cheers,
Rick.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

pretty nice for a first light Andy - looking forward to more.

[andyc (Andy)]

Originally Posted by RickS

Congrats on the successful first light, Andy!

Have you signed up for Jim Morse's PixInsight cheat sheet? He has a great collection of stuff from the PI Forum and elsewhere that he updates and emails out. I won't post his email here but I'll send it privately it if you want (or you can find details on the PI Forum.)

I also have some notes I can send you that have a workflow and discuss options for Ha blending.

Cheers,
Rick.

Thanks Rick - yes I would be interested in both, thanks . I had a bit of a go with some Tarantula data yesterday, and the colours aren't 'popping' quite in the way I'd hope. All part of the learning process!

Originally Posted by Crushellon

Looking good. There are a lot of good tutorials here http://www.lightvortexastronomy.com/tutorials.html including LRGB combination. As for the Ha integration, there is a HaRGB script in pixinsight.

Those tutorials look excellent. I'd come across one of Kayron's tutorials before, but the PixInsight set looks superb. Bookmarked!

Originally Posted by Shiraz

pretty nice for a first light Andy - looking forward to more.

Thanks Ray!