Slowly improving. I used EzyStyles (thanks for the great guide) guide for processing, not sure how well i did. For 2hours i was just working on drift alignment, I am not sure how well i did because i am still getting star trails. I think perhaps i a missing some critical point, because it takes too long. I am trying to master the good old fashioned illuminated reticle method. In Az i could see almost no movement for up 5mins that i watched. The very slight movement i think may be PE, because it occured periodically every minute. The good thing is that i have got my NGC max working nicely, got every object in the FOV. Using Nebulosity to frame, focus and capture the images. This methods does not permit using ICNR, but i am glad i did not. Craig advised me of the pros and cons of taking darks separately. It sure saves a lot of time, and though i do not have a temp sensor my instinct indicated the temp did not vary much through the night. I have yet to process some of the other half hearted experiments i did just to pass the night. I should have really gone back and worked more on my drift.
i also get the feeling on review of the data that my camera may not be completely square with the Optical axis of the telescope. The single screw 1.25" adapter i have seems to be the reason. I am not sure how i can check for this and fix it.
10x60sec at ISO800, and 10x60sec darks.
Can someone tell me if its possible to take tarks without a lens cap on the camera. I mean like perhaps do a manual ICNR frame without taking an image.
Dont feel too bad about the drift alignment.... ive never even done one.
you will find the PE will be longer than one minute they might be separate movements, i use a 2 inch camera adapter i know my ed80 has a pretty ordinary screw attatching setup instead of the nice ring setup on the newt so have to push it in square while screwing it down.
it may make a difference to the edges of your field using a larger adapter too .... maybee someone else can comment there.
huge improvements fahim well calptured. with layer masking and taking shot exposure shots will get right down to the core. no worries, glad the guide helped you out.
