pathetic attempt BUT my first Omega

[jimmyh1555 (James)]

After 6 months of studying, buying, assembling, this is all I have to show.... BUT it is the start..... David Malin watch out.
Details
ZWO ASI 224MC
Esprit 100mm triplet
Exp 1.56 sec
Sharpcap 40 frames in .png
Stacked in DSS (it stacked only 23 frames)
Gain 586
Processed in Star Tools until the whole lot froze up
Seeing bad - I had to delete 20 out of 120 frames taken due to clouds.
HEQ5 mount, NO guiding - just polar aligned
I guess that I should have used much longer exposures and not so much gain
PLEASE COMMENT and tell me what I SHOULD have done!!!
Anyway, it's better than a slap in the face with a wet kipper

[PKay (Peter)]

Hi James.

We all have to start somewhere!

Now you can have fun trying different settings.

For Omega Centauri and no guiding:

Set the gain to 139. Bias 50

Set exposure to 9 sec and take 30 subs.

You should get a better result.

Don't forget to take 20 darks, flats and bias frames.

Practise good focusing and polar alignment & remember to take a jumper.

In Star Tools: Muck around with everything - use the 'better or worse' method.

Have fun!

[Imme (Jon)]

Jimmy...9 months ago I produced something not too dissimilar to yours.
There’s a learning curve for sure.....and a little luck getting all your gear to work in unison.

Keep going and before you know it you will be producing stuff that will surprise yourself.

My advice.....head back out as soon as you can and try again.....and then again......you are already suggesting longer exposures...try it....what’s the worst that can happen?

[ChrisV (Chris)]

Great start Jimmy. As others say - up the exposure time and drop the gain. The 224 is a very sensitive camera with small well size. You could even try live stacking in sharpcap and get a nice omega centauri in a few minutes.

Maybe you should try your dslr for AP. Might be a lot easier than the 224 as you are working with a really small fov there.

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

It all has to start somewhere. If it was too easy we could all do it and that would not be a challenge... Better than my first attempt.. Good job!

[jimmyh1555 (James)]

Thanks guys, for your encouragement! After this Full Moon it's full speed on to Omega again and then I will have a shot at Eta. Will try your suggestions with longer exposure and less gain! ALSO, I will hook up my Synguider11.........