A night of Galaxies

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #1 07-09-2007, 02:32 AM

Yep, still pushing it

Here's some Galaxies from tonights effort

ED80, Modded Toucam, etc. BUT no IR/UV filter tonight.

1. NGC 6744 in Pavo
2. The Pavo Group
3. NGC 7176 group in Piscis Australis
4. The Grus Trio
5. M83 (not one of my better M83's)

laika (Brenton) · #2 07-09-2007, 06:58 AM

Ken,
Lovely images. I have observed some of these recently and am currently in the process converting a spc900nc/00 toucam for long exposure.
I would be interested in exposure details, once again great work and it has inspired me to push on and do the mod.

Brenton. (aka laika)

h0ughy (David) · #3 07-09-2007, 07:24 AM

you have been a busy boy Ken, well done. One day mate, one day you will get a new camera

acropolite (Phil) · #4 07-09-2007, 07:46 AM

Excellent effort Ken.

Tamtarn · #5 07-09-2007, 08:00 AM

Another nice collection of images from the toucam Ken.

When you eventually get another camera, I think you should make a display case to house this little gem.

Garyh · #6 07-09-2007, 10:29 AM

Good going Ken! lots of faint fuzzies!!!
Well done

you have to get every last photon out of it before it dies!!
cheers

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #7 07-09-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laika

Ken,
Lovely images. I have observed some of these recently and am currently in the process converting a spc900nc/00 toucam for long exposure.
I would be interested in exposure details, once again great work and it has inspired me to push on and do the mod.

Brenton. (aka laika)

Brenton,

I would love to let you know the exposure details. Everything was pushed to the Max!!!

Only because my Toucam is dying.

But normally, I find that with the modded Toucam, the best settings for faint galaxies is 70-80% brightness (100% tends to burn out the core of objects), 100% Gamma, 5fps, 1/25th second, Gain 'ZERO', and the Saturation level is up to you whether you want colour or B&W. I use 100% myself.

Hope that helps

EDIT: Oops, forgot to mention the exposure times - most of the medium to faint galaxies come up pretty good around the 180 - 200 second mark, and I usually capture 10 - 12 images to stack. Some of the brighter galaxies ony require around 160 seconds. Orion Neb and other bright nebs (Swan, Eagle etc) come up nice around 140 - 160 seconds. Again, all around 10 - 12 images stacked. As you do it you'll find out exposure times before things start to 'burn out'.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #8 07-09-2007, 01:07 PM

that's amazing for a webcam, Ken! You're going to go galactic ballistic with a DSLR!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #9 07-09-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

that's amazing for a webcam, Ken!

Thanks Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

You're going to go galactic ballistic with a DSLR!

DSLR!!!

Steady on, Steve. I haven't even got my DSI yet

RB (Andrew) · #10 07-09-2007, 01:13 PM

Awesome work Ken.

Excellent stuff !!!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #11 07-09-2007, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket Boy

Awesome work Ken.

Excellent stuff !!!

Thanks Andrew.

I can't wait to get my hands on the DSI

I think I've just about completed my Toucam Apprenticeship

Ric · #12 07-09-2007, 02:22 PM

A lovely bunch of galaxies Ken, well done.

I really enjoyed the galaxy clusters, they turned out great.

Cheers

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #13 07-09-2007, 02:43 PM

Thanks Ric.

I'm gonna be hunting down lots more soon

h0ughy (David) · #14 07-09-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

Thanks Andrew.

I can't wait to get my hands on the DSI

I think I've just about completed my Toucam Apprenticeship

Ken i couldnt think of you with a DSI then it occured to me you could have meant this:

DSI = deranged Saturn investigator

DSI = Dobsonian Single Image

DSI = dobsonian Special Imaging

DSI= deep sky insomniac

DSI = deep sleep imaging

DSI = Dwarf Star Illumination

DSI = Dark Special Intelligence

DSI = Drop single Inspirations

DSI = Double Saxophone Insinuations

DSI = Dave’s Silly Investigations