First Light Image - M8 & M20

[AstroJason (Jason)]

It has been a number of years since I posted anything on IIS. I checked and 2016 was the last time I posted an astro image here! Some of you may remember my wide field shots from all those years ago using my trusty Canon 6D, 70-200mm f/4L lens and my NEQ6Pro mount. Overkill much? Anyway, I am back after a few years out of the hobby.

One of the things that drew me back was a recent meeting with our Blue Mountains Astronomy Club, during which one of the guys asked if I still did imaging? No, I said. Which is ridiculous considering I now live in the Blue Mountains under Bortle 3/4 skies. I then did some research and discovered a device which many of you may be aware of... the ASI Air Plus Boy have things changed since I was last in the hobby.

I had to buy one and buy one I did! I hooked it up to my old rig and was amazed I was getting images sent to my phone while I sat on the lounge in my warm house! Well, the bug bit me again, and after all these years I finally decided on the scope I wanted... and for the first time, I mounted a scope on my 11-year-old NEQ6Pro mount! The scope I chose, the SkyWatcher Esprit 100mm.

So after all that, here is my first light image (only 90 mins) with the new scope. M8 (Lagoon Nebula) and M20 (Trifid Nebula). This is using my unmodded Canon 6D. I am pretty rusty with my processing, I have forgotten so much of my old workflow.

I really recommend you check out the full res version on my Flickr page here.

Feedback welcome and thanks for looking!

[Dave882 (David)]

Nice work Jason! Glad to see you taking advantage of your dark sky up there- us city folk will be forever jealous
Looking forward to more images from your new scope!

[Stephane]

Jason, that is a seriously nice image. Your processing certainly doesn’t look rusty to me; and at just 90 minutes, wow… can’t wait to see more from you.

Regards,
Stéphane

[ahmed_haider (Ahmed)]

That's just brilliant! I'm glad you've got your gear back up again (and the new scope is killer) so we can get more gems like these

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Nice one mate

Glad to hear you’ve jumped back on the… err brumby?

[AstroJason (Jason)]

Originally Posted by Dave882

Nice work Jason! Glad to see you taking advantage of your dark sky up there- us city folk will be forever jealous
Looking forward to more images from your new scope!

Thanks Dave. Yeah figured I was crazy for not doing it sooner! What you're able to image from Sydney is very impressive. Love your Egg in Ara shot.

Originally Posted by Stephane

Jason, that is a seriously nice image. Your processing certainly doesn’t look rusty to me; and at just 90 minutes, wow… can’t wait to see more from you.

Regards,
Stéphane

Cheers Stephane, really appreciate your kind words. Been processing a couple more shots I have and it's starting to come back to me.

Originally Posted by ahmed_haider

That's just brilliant! I'm glad you've got your gear back up again (and the new scope is killer) so we can get more gems like these

Thanks Ahmed, I was really pleased with how this turned out. More on the way!

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Nice one mate

Glad to hear you’ve jumped back on the… err brumby?

Heyyy, it's Dunk! How you doing mate? Nice to hear from ya

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

A respectable effort after such a long time out of the game Jason! Your processsing looks fine. You're pushing s*#t uphill though to do full justice to emission nebulae with an unmodded camera. If you've got the means and plan to stay back in the hobby using a DSLR, treat yourself to a full spectrum modded one - as I'm sure you're aware, it would make a huuuuge difference!

In any case, well done and keep them coming!

[AstroJason (Jason)]

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

A respectable effort after such a long time out of the game Jason! Your processsing looks fine. You're pushing s*#t uphill though to do full justice to emission nebulae with an unmodded camera. If you've got the means and plan to stay back in the hobby using a DSLR, treat yourself to a full spectrum modded one - as I'm sure you're aware, it would make a huuuuge difference!

In any case, well done and keep them coming!

Thank you Marcus, took a few goes getting it where I wanted but I really enjoyed processing it. Put some music on, have a few drinks. Good times

Oh yes I am aware. I was considering a modded DSLR for some time but I want to go mono. The better resolution I see in mono shots is drawing me in. I'm just not sure I should go all out and go full frame or APS-C (being used to full frame with the 6D for so long). I also don't want to rush back in too quickly. I am waiting to possibly grab something second hand or until later in the year (Black Friday Sales) to pull the trigger if nothing comes up until then. But I think by then I should know if I am ready to make the leap to mono. Thanks again mate, more images on the way!