2nd attempt at the Lagoon Nebula

prova · #1 28-07-2008, 09:50 AM

Retrieved a little more data than my first attempt which was only 6mins worth, details on my 2nd shot are:

44 x 30sec subs @ ISO400, stacked in DSS and my first go at processing in PS.

Taken with Vixen ED115S and unmodded 350D

Comments welcome and thanks for looking.

AlexN · #2 28-07-2008, 10:09 AM

Looks good mate.

Perhaps next time try 22 @ iso 400 and 22 @ iso 800 with the same exposure time. that way you should get more nebulosity but still keep the core of the nebula intact (as it is in this image)

Also, dont be afraid to run off 10 darks after the imaging session... will make all the difference to the noise level... Maybe even run Noiseware (noise reduction program.. google it..) I've seen noiseware used to brilliant effect in astro images.

prova · #3 28-07-2008, 12:00 PM

Cheers Alex, I'll give that shot next time

war bird · #4 28-07-2008, 01:50 PM

Not bad at all mate,i still havent had chance at imaging the lagoon yet or anything in that region for that matter. Cant wait to try !

bluescope · #5 28-07-2008, 03:13 PM

Getting there mate !

Are you guiding yet ?

At iso 400 with an unmodded 350D you really need to be doing exposures of around 6 to 7 minutes. If you are not guiding you must have a very accurate polar alignment to do such long exposures. With guiding you will get away with less accurate alignment but it is still always better to have as good an alignment as you can.

When I used my unmodded 350D for unguided imaging I used to set at iso 800 when doing 30 sec exposures, it will make quite a difference to the detail you gather and the noise will not be too bad. When you go to iso1600 it makes a big difference to noise, not recommended.

Keep at it .... it just gets better the more you do it.

Bassnut (Fred) · #6 28-07-2008, 05:48 PM

Oh dear, why 30sec?, why ISO400 at that short exposure time? and its purple?

prova · #7 28-07-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassnut

Oh dear, why 30sec?, why ISO400 at that short exposure time? and its purple?

No guiding at the moment and it's my first processing attempt.
Still learning, I'll be able to get guiding going by the weekend then it should be a different story ... I hope!

Bassnut (Fred) · #8 28-07-2008, 06:28 PM

OK, after this weekend, no excusses