OMG, imaging tonight: Success!
Started by
rigel123
, Mar 23 2014 03:16 PM
25 replies to this topic
#1
rigel123
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Posted 23 March 2014 - 03:16 PM
It has been since November 29th that I have set up for DSO imaging. I really had to think about how to set this up again! Who knows, I may only be able to check collimation but it's nice to at least LOOK at the set up!
#2
PrestonE
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Posted 23 March 2014 - 04:48 PM
Good luck Warren as the clouds in the background look like what we have here...
Best Regards,
Preston
Best Regards,
Preston
#3
lightyear44
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Posted 23 March 2014 - 05:41 PM
Yes, best of luck.
November for me too.
But it's from too much work, not just weather. Slow season is coming soon, though. Hopefully one more month of 55-60 hour weeks.
Have new imaging equipment too. Can't wait to collect some photons.
-David.
November for me too.
But it's from too much work, not just weather. Slow season is coming soon, though. Hopefully one more month of 55-60 hour weeks.
Have new imaging equipment too. Can't wait to collect some photons.
-David.
#4
tbone0168
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Posted 23 March 2014 - 05:54 PM
I know what you mean!......I've kept my eyes and ears open on many weather services in my area hoping to get the opportunity to use this set-up.....Clear, and dark skies to ya!.....Terrance
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#5
WillCarney
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Posted 23 March 2014 - 05:55 PM
I did some wide angle last night and will do some more tonight. Despite the 20's in temp with wind chill. I would have loved to test my G3 I bought but the PM that had the tracking number was not giving to me in time for a pickup yesterday. Won't get it till tomorrow now. That stupid hoop'la switch lost it. Anyway, that looks like a great setup to take shots. William
#6
DeanS
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Posted 23 March 2014 - 06:05 PM
We may get some of those clear skies too Warren. Had a few nights recently but seemed like the moon was up each time.
Dean
Dean
#7
rigel123
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Posted 23 March 2014 - 08:25 PM
Finally cleared 15 minutes ago and started first luminance run! Good luck to everyone!
Boy Terrance, that setup looks vaguely familiar!
Boy Terrance, that setup looks vaguely familiar!
#8
17.5Dob
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Posted 23 March 2014 - 08:49 PM
Maybe, Cold front is already kicking up the winds, but the sky is clear, 1 hr before "official" astro twilight.
#9
snommisbor
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Posted 23 March 2014 - 08:57 PM
Yeah when you go that long you sometimes forget how to do everything. Good luck.
#10
17.5Dob
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Posted 23 March 2014 - 09:48 PM
Winds have died down and it's as transparent as I've seen in awhile. Unfortunately, it's now softball season, and the lights in the City Park across the street from me are now on.
#11
jgraham
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Posted 23 March 2014 - 10:37 PM
Good luck. We're cloud-dancing north of you. I just finished a run of 32 images of M108, 12 of them are washed out with passing clouds. Still, it is nice to be collecting photons.
#12
rigel123
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Posted 23 March 2014 - 10:47 PM
Grabbing Luminence on NGC 3184, really a nice little galaxy in Ursa Major. I'm doing 5 minute subs and seeing the spiral arms fairly well. Afraid to go with longer subs due to LP. Boy it's nice to be out here!
John, the clouds left and I have been lucky, none in sight!
John, the clouds left and I have been lucky, none in sight!
#13
Stevous
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Posted 24 March 2014 - 01:45 AM
I know the feeling of anticipation - have fun!
Steve
Steve
#14
rigel123
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Posted 24 March 2014 - 12:39 PM
The subs I got are nice but I'm going to have to try to bump the exposures up to at least 10 minutes to pull out more detail. I had quite a bit of room on the histogram for the background so hopefully this is far enough away from the LP on the horizon that I'll be able to get away with it.
This is 33 X 300 sec subs with flats applied and a quick Levels stretch. AT6RC/Atik 314L+/Atlas EQ-G
This is 33 X 300 sec subs with flats applied and a quick Levels stretch. AT6RC/Atik 314L+/Atlas EQ-G
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#15
tbone0168
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Posted 24 March 2014 - 01:41 PM
Off to a great start!.... 
Terrance
Terrance
#16
jgraham
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Posted 24 March 2014 - 05:13 PM
Wow, that is an interesting looking spiral. I've been working through galaxies in Ursa Major and I'll have to add this one to the list. If you get a chance take a peek at NGC 3359.
#17
rigel123
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Posted 24 March 2014 - 09:55 PM
Will do, I stacked this in Nebulosity just for fun and saw a lot more structure so I'm going to revisit this.
#18
rigel123
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Posted 25 March 2014 - 02:53 PM
After restacking more of the details came out that I saw when the subs were downloading, not sure what went crazy on the first stacking attempt. Weird. Anyway, here is the restacked subs showing more of the detail in this galaxy.
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#19
jaddbd
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Posted 26 March 2014 - 12:45 AM
Back in the saddle Warren. Looking good.
John D
John D
#20
Rick J
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Posted 26 March 2014 - 01:02 AM
Now that's an astronomical coincidence. That galaxy has been on my to-do list for years as one I did in my film days, most of which, including it, were lost when part of the house was crushed by an Oak during an ice storm 23 years ago. But weather never allowed me to catch it. I tried last night as you did and thick haze made it impossible. The M2III 6.55 magnitude variable star just out of your FOV lit up the haze something awful wiping out the galaxy. So I tried tonight but again that haze returned. Not as bad but making a mess of the color data. Snow tomorrow in the forecast. Maybe I'll get it eventually.
Looks like you have a good start on the luminance frames at least.
Rick
Looks like you have a good start on the luminance frames at least.
Rick
#21
rigel123
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Posted 26 March 2014 - 08:43 AM
Now that's an astronomical coincidence. That galaxy has been on my to-do list for years as one I did in my film days, most of which, including it, were lost when part of the house was crushed by an Oak during an ice storm 23 years ago. But weather never allowed me to catch it. I tried last night as you did and thick haze made it impossible. The M2III 6.55 magnitude variable star just out of your FOV lit up the haze something awful wiping out the galaxy. So I tried tonight but again that haze returned. Not as bad but making a mess of the color data. Snow tomorrow in the forecast. Maybe I'll get it eventually.
Looks like you have a good start on the luminance frames at least.
Rick
Thanks Rick! I noticed when I really stretched the data that I could actually see the diffraction spikes from that star entering the image! This was uncropped so it was close to sneaking into the frame. I may get a chance to add more luminance subs tonight if the weather holds for just a little bit!
#22
rigel123
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Posted 26 March 2014 - 08:44 AM
Back in the saddle Warren. Looking good.
John D
Thanks John!
#23
Rick J
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Posted 26 March 2014 - 12:40 PM
In my case the weather won again. Totally clouded over for the last three color frames. I doubt the first three and two of the luminance can be salvaged. I have several hexed objects that never seem to be possible due one thing or another. This is one of them. Long range forecast has snow possible most night through April 9 and none of the others close to clear. The cloud gods hate me.
I'm still processing last September but things went downhill fast after that so the backlog is shrinking rapidly.
Rick
I'm still processing last September but things went downhill fast after that so the backlog is shrinking rapidly.
Rick
#24
DeanS
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Posted 26 March 2014 - 01:40 PM
Glad the weather Gods gave you a clear night Warren.
Not sure if spring will ever get here either, had a couple inches of snow yesterday and morning temps in the teens.
Not sure if spring will ever get here either, had a couple inches of snow yesterday and morning temps in the teens.
#25
rigel123
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Posted 26 March 2014 - 04:00 PM
I have at least a partial chance to get some more Luminance tonight before the clouds roll in. I'll go for 10 minute subs this time and hope to pull in a little more of the faint stuff.
I was able to get an hours worth of time in on the sun today to do a Prom animation and working on that now. Even though cold at least it was sunny!
Dean, we only got a dusting of snow which is gone now, warmer for the weekend but some rain coming in. We set a record for 40 days of snow on the ground for this area!
Rick, I certainly hope you get some clear skies soon as this galaxy would look great with your set up! Some really nice structure in this one and there aren't that many really good images of this particular one. Robert Gendler has one that was an APOD a few years ago.
I was able to get an hours worth of time in on the sun today to do a Prom animation and working on that now. Even though cold at least it was sunny!
Dean, we only got a dusting of snow which is gone now, warmer for the weekend but some rain coming in. We set a record for 40 days of snow on the ground for this area!
Rick, I certainly hope you get some clear skies soon as this galaxy would look great with your set up! Some really nice structure in this one and there aren't that many really good images of this particular one. Robert Gendler has one that was an APOD a few years ago.
CNers have asked about a donation box for Cloudy Nights over the years, so here you go. Donation is not required by any means, so please enjoy your stay.
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