Crab Nebula M1

[Astrobserver99 (Rob)]

My first pathetic attempt at the Crab Nebula

C8 SCT f/10
Canon 40D, 5x10min with darks
There was lot of heat noise processed out
Could do with a lot more processing.

The tracking is not so good.

I am probably expecting too much of the Canon and HEQ5 Pro at f/10

[cookie8 (Vincent)]

Good start for first attempt. Yes the polar alignment is off, other wise you can have longer exposures to bring out the detail. M1 is always to low for Melbourne to image well.

[CoolhandJo (Paul)]

Let me add that for a first attempt you have done very well. I say this because you have manged to get the fine whispy "stuff" within the crab! This is something that still elludes me to this day! Can't wait to see another go with polar alignment sorted!

[Astrobserver99 (Rob)]

Here is a re-processed and cropped version. I am working on the tracking. Tracking was great at f/10 last year - must have changed something...

[Moon (James)]

I am probably expecting too much of the Canon and HEQ5 Pro at f/10

Yes and no. I think its a good result with that equipment. Next step might be to try an OAG to improve the tracking.
James

[telecasterguru (Frank)]

I agree with the others. You are definitely on the right track and this is not a bad attempt at a difficult object.

Frank

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Yep, I'd be happy with that.
I can fully appreciate the effort you've put in to capture this.

[tonybarry (Tony)]

Hello Rob,

A good image for a low object in the sky. Could you do 5 min subs? That might perhaps halve the tracking error (if it's accumulated error rather than PE).

Regards,
Tony Barry

[Moon (James)]

Could you do 5 min subs? That might perhaps halve the tracking error (if it's accumulated error rather than PE).

I agree - a good suggestion