Warning! Awesomeness ahead. - Page 2

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #21 26-02-2009, 03:43 PM

Have a great time Troy.
If you're keen you should get along to the Barambah Dark Sky Camp in April. It's awesome.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=41669

telecasterguru (Frank) · #22 26-02-2009, 03:43 PM

Troy,
The Macquarie Dictionary defines "awesome" as "inspiring awe" and I reckon that is what is going to happen when we all see the images.
I hope you have Eta Carina on the list. It always inspires awe.
Frank

troypiggo (Troy) · #23 26-02-2009, 04:26 PM

Thanks for the encouragement all.

@Jeanette - I'll pencil it in. I'm sure it'll be awesome, but I'll have to deduct some awesomeness points because this weekend will trump it with a few firsts for me.

@Frank - I hope so. Sadly Eta Carinae isn't on my current plan this time around. Not sure if I should share my awesome plan with you at this stage. Bit worried about introducing too much awesomeness to one thread, the forum servers might not be able to take it and crash.

Ok, I'll only tap the keyboard gently so as to not stress the server...

I've always liked Pleiades, I know it's pretty low at the moment, but I want to have a crack at it.
I have a project/task to get some good shots of M42 before the end of the month. I'll be spending couple of hours there I think.
I like the name "Jellyfish" IC443. Have a go at that one. Not as common as M42 etc.
Then I want some galaxies - M83 Southern Pinwheel or M66 Leo trio.

Any suggestions? Additions/deletions/substitutions? My SLR is unmodified, so bit worried about which ones will work better than others.

bloodhound31 · #24 26-02-2009, 04:53 PM

Troy, I would hate to take you down an awesomeness peg or two, but if you try and get greedy and image too many things in one night, then yes, collectively there may be a few "firsts" awesomeness points.

However,it would be much more awesome to dedicate your hours on just one or two objects so that they turn out smoother, less noisy and overbrimming with awesomeness.

Just a tip.

Baz.

Amateur apprentice awesomeer

telecasterguru (Frank) · #25 26-02-2009, 04:54 PM

Troy,
I'm in the same boat as you are. I have a brand new mount and scope (2 weeks now) and nothing more than setting up in the backroom to learn how it goes together. Have read all the threads I can and hopefully will get a start on slewing, tracking and maybe a few shots on the back porch tonight weather permitting. Will be taking it to the golf course down the road (or to the pony club at Mangrove Mountain if possible) on Saturday and using a guide scope for the first time. Looking forward to it immensely. Your plan looks pretty cool so have a great weekend.
Frank

troypiggo (Troy) · #26 26-02-2009, 05:19 PM

Thanks guys.

@Baz - I hear you and that thought had crossed my mind. I thought I'd just spend an hour or so on Pleiades from 8pm, couple of hours on M42. That might take me to midnight or so, then the others will just be assessed on how I feel. I'm kind of committed to M42. Do you think I should spend more than 2hrs on it alone?

Just say I was to shoot M42 and one or 2 other awesome things, what would you pick?

bloodhound31 · #27 26-02-2009, 05:30 PM

As it is so bright and easily aquired, that should be fine mate. Just make sure you take a few short subs and matching darks to capture the core without burnout, and a few longer exposures to capture the fainter extremities (with matching darks also).

First, take your short darks and then your short images. Then when the night cools down further, take a couple of longer darks, to match the long exposures you will take next. Finally, when you have taken your last image, take some more matching darks at the cooler temperature.

Stack them using something like Deep Sky Stacker and this will really fix up your digital noise during this warmer time of year.

You should wind up with plenty of awesomeness then.

Baz.

P.S. I really would give Eta Carina a go, as it is nice and high in the sky all night at this time of year and a perfect target. Very easy to aquire and the star ETA itself is a good guide star.

Alternatively, Lagoon and Trifid come up early morning under Scorpius so you should get quite a few subs on them before the dawn takes over.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #28 26-02-2009, 05:38 PM

Ahhh.. too funny all!

Troy - looks like it's all going to fall into place. Have a good one!

kinetic (Steve) · #29 26-02-2009, 06:06 PM

Troy , all,

what a good , funny read, thanks

Don't take it all too seriously I say...enjoy it...

You know what else is awesome Troy.....finishing an all night imaging session
cooking a toad in the hole on a gas bbq , watching the
sun come up....awesome

Steve

troypiggo (Troy) · #30 26-02-2009, 06:34 PM

Thanks again guys.

Trifid - I like it. Might try that. It's perrrrdy...

acropolite (Phil) · #31 26-02-2009, 06:39 PM

Sounds like it's going to be an awesome night Troy, just don't tell Jen, she could over-dose on smilies and have an awesome siezure....

bloodhound31 · #32 26-02-2009, 08:49 PM

Troy, you have the same child-like enthusiasm that we all should take a good look at and aspire to mimic.

Good on yer mate, never lose that.

Baz.

troypiggo (Troy) · #33 26-02-2009, 11:42 PM

child-like. I'm 38. I am passionate about my hobbies, though. Hobbies? Obsessions? Hmmm...

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #34 26-02-2009, 11:55 PM

Isn't it just the best hobby/obsession!
You can get as techo as you like or just sit back in a comfy chair and watch the universe pass over head.

bloodhound31 · #35 27-02-2009, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troypiggo

child-like. I'm 38. I am passionate about my hobbies, though. Hobbies? Obsessions? Hmmm...

38, So am I mate, I love being a kid! I encourage others to be that way, no matter how old you get! It's just............AWESOME!

PeterM · #36 27-02-2009, 02:18 PM

Geez, I have been going to Leyburn for 10 years and after reading Troy's posts I can't remember having looked as much forward to it as this weekend. Awesometastic. Looking forward to meeting both you and your wife Troy. I am sure you will have a great weekend.
PeterM

troypiggo (Troy) · #37 27-02-2009, 02:46 PM

G'day Peter. Suppose the excitement/novelty does wane a little after 10yrs. Really looking for to it now. You going up Fri night, or just Sat night? I'm only getting there Sat a/noon.

PeterM · #38 27-02-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troypiggo

G'day Peter. Suppose the excitement/novelty does wane a little after 10yrs. Really looking for to it now. You going up Fri night, or just Sat night? I'm only getting there Sat a/noon.

I will be there on Saturday afternoon, make sure you bring enough battery power for your gear. There will be a generator that you can use if needed, you may want to bring a long extension lead. When you get there find Ray or Andrew for a quick tour of the place, setting up, dunny etc.
PeterM.

troypiggo (Troy) · #39 27-02-2009, 03:31 PM

Yeah, got Andrew's details and been talking to him

troypiggo (Troy) · #40 01-03-2009, 10:38 PM

Well, got back around lunchtime today. Had an absolute ball at my first dark site. Met heaps of people, all very helpful and friendly. Especially some crazy Irish/Scottish guy named Duncan or something, who turned out to be PeterM wearing a hoodie and playing tricks on me. Andrew (astro_south), David, Darren, Kevin, Peter, Bob, and more whose names are a blur because I have had little or no sleep - thanks for all your tips.

So the awesome expectations delivered as far as I was concerned. Only thing that sent me to bed in the end was dew at around 2am I think.

I spent most of my imaging time on M42, then some M83, then a Lulin animation. I was going to hit Antares and nearby nebulae but the dew stopped me. Next time.