Omega Centauri

spearo (Frank) · #1 12-05-2006, 12:05 AM

Hello everyone,

Here is a pic of Omega Centauri that I took on May 6th. Hope to do better next time as I learn to drift align properly and take posession of a focal reducer for the 9.25.
Though I'm still just starting out, i must say I love the 9.25 and the EOS 20DA, I cant wait to be able to do slightly longer exposures without trails as i learn the drift method a bit. I'd been keen to practice but the past two nights have been overcast...if at least it would rain....

enjoy
cheers

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #2 12-05-2006, 01:08 AM

One of my favourite DSO's! I think that's a great image, one that you should be proud of - hell, if I ever manage an image as good as that I'll be VERY happy! Great work!!!

spearo (Frank) · #3 12-05-2006, 01:45 AM

Thanks!
I am still so new at all this it isn't funny (llok up "Newbie" on Google and you'll find a picture of me...look up "Newbie facing a very steep learning curve" and you can see an extreme close up of me!)

I think that as I learn to process images too it will help (things like dark frames, better registax manipulations etc. But I'm still working out the basica.
i love this DSO too because Omega just looks like its exploding with stars! They even look a bit like droplets of water bursting outward.
thanks for the encouragement
frank

Dennis · #4 12-05-2006, 04:34 AM

Wow - that is very nice, especially at f10 with no guiding. Focus is spot on too! You have done really well to grab such a tightly focused image with no guiding. Love the colours too.

Cheers

Dennis

matt · #5 12-05-2006, 05:56 AM

Well done!

Got that 9.25 ticking along nicely.

Can you teache me, once you learn how to drift align?

spearo (Frank) · #6 12-05-2006, 08:36 AM

Thanks guys!
I've been using a home-made Hartmann mask for focussing and recently combined this with the Live View feature on the 20Da which makes it easier. If I can just remember to remove the mask before taking pictures...DOH!
I think computer assisted focssing would be better but for now that'll do for me.
Matt we should have an evening of viewing at Claireview sometime to teach each other!
Frank

strongmanmike (Michael) · #7 12-05-2006, 08:50 AM

Hi Frank

That is a fine image of Omega mate and not too many years ago would have been S&T gallery material!

Your images will only get better, trust me!

Here is the first crappy colour image of Omega I ever did from back in March 2004 (I think?) complete with 3/4 moon in the sky

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike20...35291/original

Here is my award winning and published Omega done more recently

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike20...56760595/large

Click on "original" below the image for a 750K close up!

See? everyone improves mate, so keep at it!

Mike

Dennis · #8 12-05-2006, 09:26 AM

Sorry Mike, the chromatic aberration in the field stars of your image just ruin it for me – just kidding!

I jumped in and had a swim in the image, and that’s on a 1600x1200 res screen. What fantastic resolution and beautiful colouration of the individual stars, right to the dense centre of the cluster.

A real champion image.

Cheers

Dennis

strongmanmike (Michael) · #9 12-05-2006, 09:35 AM

Thanks mate - Yeh the slight blue bloat in the bright stars worried me a bit too particularly given I pushed the saturation a bit. There were a few trade offs but I felt this was the best overall processing result and in the end every scope has its flaws I guess... even a multi million dollar Starfire APO ?

Mike

spearo (Frank) · #10 12-05-2006, 09:45 AM

Mike,
Thanks so much for the positive feedback!
Your pics are amazing and inspiring.
I'm definitely intending to keep at it and show some progress.
If only I could just get the girlfriend to support me I could stay up all night every night and progress quicker ! I have a lot of catching up to do.
:]
Thanks again.
frank

strongmanmike (Michael) · #11 12-05-2006, 09:56 AM

When I was portable I would still setup my complete 12" LX200 GPS imaging setup (and drift align) several nights a week but once I built my observatory and under dark skies, well!... even on cloudy nights I would just go out and sit in there with a big

on my face and do nothing but

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike20...55284068/large

I went to work several times with no sleep, the images I was getting were worth the discomfort and I would have a warm glowing feeling inside all day!

Just you wait till you get "your" observatory

Mike

Striker (Tony) · #12 12-05-2006, 10:02 AM

Nice work Frank.....its very exciting when you see images like that appear in such a short exposure's.

Keep them coming.

Octane (Humayun) · #13 12-05-2006, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearo

Matt we should have an evening of viewing at Claireview sometime to teach each other!
Frank

Frank,

I recently moved from Sydney to Canberra for work purposes. If you guys get together for some viewing or imaging, count me in. I live in Lyneham and work in Phillip.

Nice image, by the way. A good start.

Regards,
Humayun

strongmanmike (Michael) · #14 12-05-2006, 10:22 AM

You Canbrra guys are all welcome to come out to Mt Campbell for an evening (pretty dark skies!) and Bring ya scopes too (It's only 30min from the city centre). I have a great purpose built outdoor viewing area complete with mains power and the "administration block" makes for a comfortable experience all round!

email me if you are interested

m.sidonio (at) bigpond.com

Mike

Octane (Humayun) · #15 12-05-2006, 11:26 AM

Mike,

I've sent you an email.

Many thanks.

Regards,
Humayun

spearo (Frank) · #16 12-05-2006, 04:55 PM

Mike
I've sent you an email as well
cheers
frank

[1ponders] (Paul) · #17 12-05-2006, 05:47 PM

Great shot spearo. Fantastic to see you up and running.

And great to see you act guys getting together.

matt · #18 12-05-2006, 06:32 PM

Definitely Frank. We'll have that get together soon

Be good to get a few of us from this part of the world together.

mickoking · #19 12-05-2006, 06:50 PM

Great shot Spearo

Us visual guys really appreciate the effort you go to, top stuff.

spearo (Frank) · #20 12-05-2006, 09:47 PM

Thanks Micko
Thanks Paul (your initial feedback to my equipment questions steered me in the right direction).
Matt and Octane, I agree it would be great to get together and a good opportunity to share info/tips etc also a good opportunity to sample eyepieces !
I've just abandonned my evening of perfecting drift method...after a 4 star align, clouds rolled in ...
lets try a meet in the next few weeks when the Moon decides to take a holiday.
Paul, I seem to have cured the aperture fever only to get seriously infected by the astrophotography bug!
never been this broke and this excited at the same time!
frank