Latest Efforts with ST2000XCM

[bluescope]

Hi All

Still got a long way to go learning how to use this camera. Just thought I would post these images although they are really quite poor and not what I know this camera is capable of ..... it all takes time.

I still haven't been able to autoguide as yet and short exposure times in Track and Accumulate mode plus not very good polar alignment are the main reasons for the poor quality of these images. So I know the short comings, just thought I would share them as a matter of record of any progress so far.



p.s. They took a fair bit of processing to look this good so before anyone mentions histograms etc ..... I already know !

I think I may have to invest in an LPS filter as the sky in my backyard is shocking being just over the hill, 2k's from the centre of Perth, and with wall to wall car yards between me and the city with all there flood lights ( closest one about 300 metres away ).

I'd better shut up or I'll get too depressed

[avandonk]

Your not doing too bad considering all the things that are working against you. I recommend the Hutech LPS filter here
http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/idas/lps.htm

Any light pollution will give you great orange backgrounds. The only way to get better is to keep at it.

Bert

[Dr Nick (Nick)]

Nice shots for what you have around you trying to wreck your images!

Keep at it, I can't wait to see some shots of yours in the future!

[Dennis]

Nice work Steve - a lovely set of images despite the short sub-frame exposures, light pollution and your early days with the gear.

Cheers

Dennis

[gbeal]

Looks good mate. Keep at it, and when the moon gets in the way, spend some time mastering the auto-guide function you will not regret it.
I usually use 10 minute or 20 minute exposures. Maybe with your situation this will get to the fog level, but at least try longer.
Gary

[rogerg (Roger)]

Good job considering all... amazing what you can get in 15 seconds.

Do you using binning to increase the sensitivity of the camera? I don't know if the 2000xcm has binning modes other than 1x1, but if it does that might help you get more data without increasing exposure time.

Alignment and autoguiding both on their own take a bit to get right and working well for you, so you've got a good sized learning curve ahead.. Enjoy

[jase (Jason)]

Good effort indeed Steve. You've got to crawl before you can run or even walk. Now you've got yourself a "real" camera, it opens up a few new avenues and challenges. Look forward to seeing more of your work.

[Ric]

A good start Steve, I can only imagine what the learning curve on a SBIG camera must be like and all that light pollution wouldn't help either.

Cheers

[bluescope]

Thanks everyone for your encouraging comments, they are appreciated.

Things can only get better with time and practice and maybe one day I will move to a dark sky location.

[Alchemy (Clive)]

15 sec subs!!!! .... whew that camera must slurp up the photons.

[bluescope]

It certainly seems to be sensitive alright .... can't wait to get longer subs happening !

Originally Posted by Alchemy

15 sec subs!!!! .... whew that camera must slurp up the photons.