1239 replies to this topic

[Alex Post]

Moderator note: Let's try to keep this thread for the posting of images. There is a companion discussion thread here that you can use to comment or describe works in progress. This requires cooperation from everybody. Thanks! - Greg




A thread for results of imaging with a NexStar. Let it grow to 20 pages, full of images A few guidelines: please post your image, a description of your optical train (scope, FLRs, filters, etc), your imaging sensor (CCD, DSLR, webcam), number of samples (images, frames in video), ISO/CCD sensitivity settings, processing details. Please also include a link to the original thread where appropriate.

NexStar 8SE, EP-projection (Hyperion), 1500 AVI frames recorded with Canon XSi. We had an interesting discussion about whether it was possible to capture craterlets inside of the Plato with an 8SE NexStar. Tel kept encouraging me I could do it and voilas it finally happened. Here is the thread were this image was discussed

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[Alex Post]

M42, NexStar 8SE, Prime focus with f/6.3 FLR, IDAS LPS filter, Canon XSi DSLR, 1200x 10sec shots at ISO1600, processed with DSS, curves and levels with Photoshop. More details in this PDF file . Also, here is the thread where this image was discussed.

[Crusader]

Jupiter and 3 Moons imaged on 20 September 2010 created using a NexImage webcam in an 8SE.

Seeing was poor,

Three separate videos were captured. Two to capture the moons and one to capture Jupiter.

Settings for moons: 1/25 exposure, 10 fps
Jupiter: 1/100 exposure, 10 fps, 0 gain

Stack of around 300 frames for each in Registax.

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[Tel]

I'm not sure I'd share Greg's view that this is a work of art but I'll post it here on this new thread anyway.

It represents a joint effort between MushroomBill, (Andy) and myself, of Jupiter at opposition and was captured at about 11:00 UTC on the 21st. September using a Celestron Neximage. Scope: Nexstar 8i Mount HEQ5 Pro.

1600+ Frames, captured in AmCap , stacked in Registax and "tweaked" in P/Shop. Capture undertaken by Andy. Focusing by Tel !

Best regards,
Tel

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[flboy]

Post deleted by flboy

[Naturlich]

This is my Moon Composite.

Image Details:
Telecope: Nexstar 130 SLT
Imager: Logitech Fusion (Modified)

The moon was captured in 4 parts, each being:
180 second avis's @ 1280x960 5FPS
Stacked with Registax
Post processing and alignment of each image in PS CS4

[Tel]

Tel ~ it is truly beautiful!!

Many thanks, John. I forgot to say that for the benefit of those viewing, it was "shot" in combination with a X3 Barlow.

Best regards,
Tel

[Tel]

A very nice image Nat, and great mosaiking (sp?). Like Eric used to compliment Ernie about his toupee:

"You can't see the join" !

Best regards,
Tel

[Peter9]

Hi Tel, Hi Nat,
Great images you two. They just get better.
Keep em coming.

Regards. Peter.

[flboy]

Post deleted by flboy

[MushroomBill]

This is my one shot of the Garnet Star taken with my DSLR.

Canon EOS 500d.
30 Secs exposure, ISO 800.

Edit: Sorry there was some detail missing - sure it was here to begin with.

1) No Wedge
2) Cheated - used a HEQ5 Pro.
3) Yes, Tel is quite close
4) It was his HEQ5!!!
5) No post processing, just 1 x 30 sec exposure.

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[Arthur Dent]

Welcome to the NexStar site Bill.

Nice capture. Can't see much evidence of field rotation. Did you use the NexStar mount with a wedge? Also what - if any - processing was involved?

One of our forum Gurus, Tel is not far away from you - also in Oxon.

Art

EDIT: Thanks for the updated post Bill with the additional details. Being a GEM mount would explain the lack of star trails. I was pretty impressed for a 30-sec exposure on the NexStar mount!

[Peter9]

Hi Bill and welcome to the Nexstar forum.

Wonderful image. Many thanks for posting. Congrats too on the great image of Jupiter you produced along with our good friend Tel.

Regards. Peter.

[Alex Post]

Here is M33 from my trip to New Mexico. This is the data from August 10-11 2010.

300x10 sec plus 400x15 sec. 50 dark frames, 50 bias, no flats (flats give me headache and no visible benefit at this time). All samples taken with ISO 1600. Data processed with DSS using Superpixel for debayring. DSS image exported without DSS color manipulations to a 32bit integer FITS file. Opened with Photoshop using FITS liberator. Grey scale 16-bit images combined into RGB. Some levels and curves applied. Finally, the resulting image loaded into stack AGAIN along with the Green channel. Green channel on top, RGB image on the bottom. Luminosity mode used to bring overall brightness of the DSO up.

This image was included and discussed in this thread on page 10

[Alex Post]

This is one surprising pair that keeps getting my attention. Albireo. Tel took a shot with it one day before I did last August. It was discussed in this thread on page 14

8SE, Canon XSi, around 400x 5 second images, processed with DSS, light pollution removal with Carboni's tools in photoshop, slight color saturation enhancement.

[Alex Post]

I keep this one for reference using to choose what combination of gear to use for best result. This was discussed in this thread.

0.5x: prime with 6.3FLR
0.7x: prime
1.0x: 21mm with 6.3FLR
1.1x: 21mm
2.0x: 13mm
3.4x: 8mm
3.9x: 8mm with 1.6x barlow
5.3x: 8mm w/ barlow w/ 14mm FTR
6.9x: 8mm w/ barlow w/ 28mm FTR
8.4x: 8mm w/ barlow w/ 14+28mm FTR
10.1x: 8mm w/ barlow w/ 28+28mm FTR

[Alex Post]

This comparison illustration was made to show that digital zoom on Canon XSi has no positive effect on resolution. It was discussed in this thread.

[Alex Post]

This composite of M45 was made from 3 separate tiles. Each tile is a 100x 10 second image processed with DSS. 8SE NexStar with f/6.3 FLR, Canon XSi, ISO 1600. Final composite made in Photoshop. This image was discussed in this thread on page 9

[Alex Post]

M57 was pretty well covered by the NexStar crowd. Here is my best shot that made it to the first page of this thread . About 130x 10sec out of pool of 200. NexStar 8SE, Canon XSi, Hutech IDAS LPS 2". Stacked in DSS, levels in Phothoshop.

[Paul D]

My attempt. I'm going to bow down to the masters for a while I think.
Jupiter taken with Nikon D40 Afocal ISO800 1/40" single frame. Camera was set at 35mm and F5. Taken through a 2" 32mm EP and 2X Barlow.
I'm also having no luck with Prime Focus on Planets or DSO's

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[Crusader]

Jupiter in better seeing than my other attempt.

NexImage, stack of 700 frames. Seeing 5/10. 1/250, 10fps

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[flboy]

Disregard. I found your photo info.

Nice pic!!!

[FebStars]

I was out last night while we had about an hour of clear skies. I hooked up the DSI2 to the C5 and took about 100 images of which 20 were useable. I played around with 10 second exposures of M57 as well...

This is fun. As soon as it got cloudy, I pulled the plug and was inside the house within minutes. The SE8 mount, with its legs pulled in, can sit unobtrusively in the corner of our living room ( well, we'll see how long I get way with THAT ).

But this is just what I wanted. I love this setup. And I enjoy coming back to this forum. I really like the way you welcome folks here.

Thanks,
Tom

[Sky Beast]

This weekend I´m going to rip a "old" Logitech 4000 apart after seeing this video. and this one.

[Tel]

No masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, but just a first attempt this morning to ensure our new Philips' webcams, SPC880NC bought from Morgan's and flash upgraded to SPC900NC, do indeed work !

This image consisted of 1300+ subs. captured in AmCap, stacked and processed in Registax 5 and "tweaked a little in P/shop CS2.

Best regards,
Tel

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