Ngc 253

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

G'day,

Despite my synscan controller thinking the 'Sculptor galaxy' is NGC55, here it is through the 12" goto SW dob.

getting my trial and error on, and have two versions one at iso 3200 and the other at iso 1600 (canon 600d), obviously with the dob the tracking window is small - so the balancing act of getting enough photons to take a photo and at low enough iso to keep the noise 'in check', both are at 25 second subs. stars could be rounder so i might try again at 20sec next time - not sure if that will take out iso1600 option.

probably overtoasted the saturation levels particularly in the 3200 version. but i'm just happy to get something that resembles a galaxy!

3200, 44 subs 10 darks
1600 17 subs 10 darks
DSS and photoshop 6.

cheers

[David Fitz-Henr]

Interesting shots Russell - I'm surprised you can get so much colour (red) from a DSLR - is it modded? I agree though you have the saturation turned up a tad high for the "silver coin" galaxy!

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Originally Posted by David Fitz-Henr

Interesting shots Russell - I'm surprised you can get so much colour (red) from a DSLR - is it modded? I agree though you have the saturation turned up a tad high for the "silver coin" galaxy!

Hi david,

No, the DSLR isn't modded, I am considering doing the modification and buying a clip in IR filter in case i need it - although I read the focus isn't that flash anymore. Some more reading and I will decide.

here is a less intense version of the iso3200 version - although it still has some intensity - I must have been really tired last night with that blue!!

btw, i checked out your website, great photos!

cheers

[Meru (Michael)]

Nice shot Russell, how on earth did you guide the Goto Dob? I thought they (Handcontroller) didn't have a ST4 input, or that it was actually connected to the motors?

[David Fitz-Henr]

Originally Posted by rustigsmed

Hi david,
here is a less intense version of the iso3200 version - although it still has some intensity - I must have been really tired last night with that blue!! cheers

Yes, that looks a lot more pleasing to my eye! Considering that's a total of about 20 mins exposure that's not bad - next you should add more data to bring out the faint outer regions.

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Originally Posted by David Fitz-Henr

Yes, that looks a lot more pleasing to my eye! Considering that's a total of about 20 mins exposure that's not bad - next you should add more data to bring out the faint outer regions.

Thanks David, yes - I am also much happier with this rendition. it is actually the most subs i have ever taken by about two-fold. Im fairly new to the astrophotography - particularly deep space, my mindset has gone from high iso's getting as much colour, nebula etc as possible to now trying to find the balance of detail and noise for a more pleasing look. actually a big neb fairs ok on high iso as the camera can do something with the faint stuff, but with a small object the space around the object ... the noise becomes obscene.

Originally Posted by Meru

Nice shot Russell, how on earth did you guide the Goto Dob? I thought they (Handcontroller) didn't have a ST4 input, or that it was actually connected to the motors?

Thanks Meru, the skywatcher synscan control is goto and tracks. actually it is a fairly neat little system allowing you to move the scope mid track and it will keep tracking.. although with the alt azi setup, it is limited to a max 25-30 sec sub as rotation and star trail starts to become a bit of an issue ...