Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Dusting off the cobwebs

Options
  • 22-09-2013 7:50pm
    #1
    Tzetze
    Registered Users Posts: 1,143 ✭✭✭


    The new season's here and I managed to get out to my favourite dark site for an all nighter a few weeks ago. There were the usual hiccups and things didn't go perfectly smoothly but I did manage to get about an hour's worth of good data on M31 before the early dawn brought the session to a close.

    After having some experience with a trial version of Pixinsight earlier in the year, I was reluctant to go back to Photoshop even though my PI results were far from optimal (very noisy). A couple of weeks later, I splashed out on PI and got stuck into getting some practice with it. I think I'm beginning to get the hang of it now.

    With the fresh and archived M31 data, I had a total of 5hrs total exposure and was keen to see what kind of results I could get with it. I couldn't be happier with this for a result, although there are some strange shadowing areas visible above the satellite galaxies. Something weird happened with the registration files. There may be some light frames that don't have the correct flats or something.

    Anyway, here's;
    30x 600s subs @ ISO800
    Darks/Flats/Bias calibrated
    450d, CG5-GT, ED80, PHD-Guided
    Calibrated, registered, stacked and processed with Pixinsight.

    9880029625_3bf08c01a3_c.jpg
    M31 by .Tzetze., on Flickr


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    Iancar29
    Registered Users Posts: 5,068 ✭✭✭Iancar29


    SUPER SHOT !!!! ONE FOR THE WALL!

    Ps , i hate you . ... :pac:


  • Options
    #3
    ZeRoY
    Registered Users Posts: 959 ✭✭✭ZeRoY


    New Screen background :) - Congrats again TzeTze, magnificient shot.

    A long way to go for me .... !


  • Options
    #4
    Kersh
    Registered Users Posts: 2,891 ✭✭✭Kersh


    Absolutely stunning pic.

    Probably the best I have seen from these shores.

    And I concur with Zeroy . . . its also a long way off for me!!


  • Options
    #5
    Tigermorrissey
    Registered Users Posts: 14 ✭Tigermorrissey


    Wow , amazing , keep up the good work !


  • Options
    #6
    MeteoritesEire
    Registered Users Posts: 413 ✭✭MeteoritesEire


    truly magnificent--congrats and thanks


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #7
    Tzetze
    Registered Users Posts: 1,143 ✭✭✭Tzetze


    Thanks guys. I'm delighted with this I have to say. This might be one to get printed out as a poster for the wall - maybe even splash out on a canvas print!

    Ian, I'm touched that you would feel such a strong emotion towards me! :P


  • Options
    #8
    ThatDrGuy
    Registered Users Posts: 325 ✭✭ThatDrGuy


    Great Stuff Tzetze! I'm beginning to think your dark site is inside a planetarium somewhere. It's the only explanation for your unique access to clear skies in this country :)


  • Options
    #9
    Nerro
    Registered Users Posts: 393 ✭✭Nerro


    I think i know his secret.....He definatelly bought this scope.....
    http://www.firstlightoptics.com/clearance/hubble-cassegrain-reflector-telescope.html

    On serious note well done Tzetze, as usuall you raised the bar for all of us.Thats easy competition material!Looking at this image i cant wait to go out myself :)


  • Options
    #10
    Tzetze
    Registered Users Posts: 1,143 ✭✭✭Tzetze


    Thanks again guys, I really appreciate all your comments.

    It's quite amazing what can be achieved with a modest enough setup. The cg5 is very often a frustrating mount to use, but with a bit of TLC and some tweaking it can really produce the goods. Although, I really wouldn't like to try gathering good data at a longer focal length with it.


  • Options
    #11
    Wailin
    Registered Users Posts: 4,413 ✭✭✭Wailin


    Stunning image Tzetze, well done. Looking forward to having a go at this one as well. Been so long now it'll be like starting all over again!


    Edit: I'm wondering is the image cropped? I thought you would fit in more of the surrounding space with the 80mm and Canon?


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #12
    Tzetze
    Registered Users Posts: 1,143 ✭✭✭Tzetze


    Thanks very much Wailin.
    The image is uncropped. I don't use a focal reducer currently. At the native FL of the 80mm the FOV is just a tad too restrictive for M31.
    Going to order a FR for it tomorrow (first payday in new job)! :)


  • Options
    #13
    Wailin
    Registered Users Posts: 4,413 ✭✭✭Wailin


    Tzetze wrote: »
    Thanks very much Wailin.
    The image is uncropped. I don't use a focal reducer currently. At the native FL of the 80mm the FOV is just a tad too restrictive for M31.
    Going to order a FR for it tomorrow (first payday in new job)! :)


    Nice one, I have the skywatcher focal reducer and it is superb. Great FOV and completely eliminates oval stars at the corners. You'll find some difference with it, mine is never taken off.


  • Options
    #14
    robertxxx
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭robertxxx


    I can only imagine how you must feel when you see the results.

    Absolutely stunning photo.


  • Options
    #15
    Tzetze
    Registered Users Posts: 1,143 ✭✭✭Tzetze


    Thanks robertxxx, there certainly is a great feeling of satisfaction with such an end result but the part I enjoy the most is gathering good data.

    Took delivery of my new reducer and adapter today. Big thanks to Stephen at Ktec - his service is second to none. Looking forward to more dealing with Stephen in the near future.


Advertisement