DSS first go for newbie

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

Well I think I have managed to shrink the files for this, so here goes. First go with darks and meaningful lights (10 minutes each). Critical appraisal welcomed.. ( I know I need flats but only just getting my bonce around darks!)
Graz
lagoon & Trifid 1

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

here is my first go at the Swan, 10 minutes lights and darks...

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

This is the Lagoon of course, 15 minutes with 10 mins darks, no flats.

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

Messier 83 about 10 mins with 7 mins darks 80mm refractor. unguided
Thats all I could do as now it's raining and snowing down here and I am worrying about my mount outside in it's tarp coats...
graz

[midnight (Darrin)]

Graham, that first one with Lagoon and Triffid looks really good. You should be very happy with the outcome of that!!

Can you please elaborate a little more on :

No. of lights (I'm assuming 10min each frame) & darks and your imaging gear (eg FL, ISO etc).

If you're combining 15min lights with 10min darks, it may not be ideal. I've never done that anyway so I don't know what the outcome would be but your dark frame may not match your light frame to get an accurate calibrated frame.

Well done anyway and it appears your guiding is good.

Cheers,
Darrin...

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

Hello Midnight, they were mostly 60 to 120 second exposures x 10-15, unguided. darks were 100 secs taken at the same time x 10.
I used an unmodified Canon 1000D with a CLS CCD filter, ISO 800. Through a 80mm Meade APO refractor on a CGEM mount.
That night my alignment seemed to be spot on and I tried longer exposures but wasn't 100% confident without knowing much about periodic error to really use these.
I really could have taken more lights but my butt was getting cold sitting down doing nothing so I got impatient!
It's the first time I have used DSstacker and subtracted darks so am pretty pleased I can now gather data and use it well. Just need the t-shirt flats!
I still can't get my guiding to work, have tried all different combinations but I am getting the idea it might be the lead/connections. Looking back (in my own collection) from my images a year ago I am astounded by the development-which sure is a big pat on the back for the people on this web site as I have got most of my advice from here. I have a moonlite focuser on order and looking forward to maybe guiding in the future!!
graz

[AstroUK]

Originally Posted by graham.hobart

Messier 83 about 10 mins with 7 mins darks 80mm refractor. unguided
Thats all I could do as now it's raining and snowing down here and I am worrying about my mount outside in it's tarp coats...
graz

That is a really good photo, better than my Jupiter which was just a white dot!

Good luck with your astro photos

[Saturn%5 (Graeme)]

Nice shot mate

[Visionoz (Bill)]

Good effort Graham - you've been a very busy boy!!

I'm still twiddling my thumbs (getting sore!) waiting for better weather in WA!

Cheers
Bill