First Orion and other test subjects

[loki78 (Jon)]

Finally got around to shooting my first nebula. Picked the easiest of targets of course, I know the colour is a bit iffy but it'll do for now. Pretty pleased with my first attempt to be honest. The 2nd and 3rd photos were things i was experimenting with to see if i could see anything really, so I nailed my first galaxy and 2nd nebula (albeit very rough) but was just really glad I got something.

Orion was 46x50sec at 800iso, 10X50sec at 1260iso, 30 darks no flats.
Sculptor was 20x90sec at 1600iso, 10 darks no flats. (just a test really to see if i could have something show up)
Alnitak region was 10x50sec at 3200iso, 5 darks no flats (this was meant to be 50lights but my power pack went flat after 10 but still this was just a test to see if i could see it at all so to get any detail in this region, i'm happy.)

Still learning my processing obviously but you gotta start somewhere.

All taken on an EQ6/SW ED100 unguided with a Canon 60Da with the Astronomik CLSCCD clip filter.

[stardust steve (Steve)]

Hi Loki. You should be very happy with your Images. I know i was when it all decided to fall into place. Your M42 is a beauty. As you said the colour can be fixed later, but there is some nice data there i reckon.
Keep adding to it to reveal all of the hidden treasures that lie in there haha.
....It's just a matter of when to stop as they say.

[Rod771 (Rod)]

Well done Jon! Were these taken from Riverwood?

[LewisM]

I still say the ED100 is one of the best kept secrets. Everyone goes for the faster ED80 or larger objective 120, but put a FR of 0.8 into the train of a 100, and the images blow you away!

Below is my full size shot of Eta Cariane, cropped to just show the "core". Just look at the colous, the extreme white, the DETAIL! And that's with an unmodded Canon DSLR. And this is a SINGLE 10 minute exposure, no darks, no flats...

http://imageshack.us/f/7/closeupcore.png/

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Going well, Lewis!

[loki78 (Jon)]

Thanks very much guys for your kind words

Rod, yeah from riverwood right next to a bloody carpark lit 24/7

Lewis, yeah I have the 0.8 FR I just haven't used it as yet, I'm trying out my bits and pieces one at a time to get a handle on what they do seperately but that is next on the agenda

[pluto (Hugh)]

Great shots Jon
That CLS filter is certainly doing a good job given the light pollution around where you are!

[loki78 (Jon)]

Originally Posted by pluto

Great shots Jon
That CLS filter is certainly doing a good job given the light pollution around where you are!

Hugh, Thanks yeah, best money I have spent so far I'd say. This is what I have to contend with right next to my balcony!

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Originally Posted by loki78

Hugh, Thanks yeah, best money I have spent so far I'd say. This is what I have to contend with right next to my balcony!

Your light pollution is as bad as mine-great shots, Jon!

[loki78 (Jon)]

Just makes things a bit more challenging I suppose Laurie. Will make life easier and me more appreciative when I do go to a dark site I guess

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Originally Posted by loki78

Just makes things a bit more challenging I suppose Laurie. Will make life easier and me more appreciative when I do go to a dark site I guess

I'm at Padstow-right next door to you. I think all these older suburbs have really bad light pollution.

[loki78 (Jon)]

Ahh yes very local then, I am over there all the time. Not as though we have much choice in the matter though I suppose

[pluto (Hugh)]

I'm right near the city in the eastern subs so my LP is terrible but at least it's a bit clearer to the east out over the ocean. This is a pic from the park I go to when I can't be bothered driving to somewhere dark, the ocean is just behind the trees in the centre.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Lots of light there, Hugh. Guess all of us city dwellers have a problem