8 replies to this topic

[Jcwillis4]

Hey everyone,

 

It's Andromeda time again!  I come back to this target at least a couple times a year as sort of a barometer of how my skills and gear have improved my results.  I finally have a good focal length to get the whole field, and I was super happy with the results over last time.  This was also my first time using a mono camera on it, and it really paid out on the detail.  Using the F3 reducer allowed me to gather a ton of light in just part of an evening for the RGB data.  Comments and criticism welcome as always.   

 

 

Technical details:

 

150 R/G/B subs @ 60 seconds

150 Ha subs @ 90 seconds

 

Scope: Takahashi FSQ106EDx4 with F3 reducer

Mount: iOptron CEM60EC

Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM @ 75 gain offset 15

Filters: ZWO RGB and Ha filter set for ASI1600

 

Sequence Generator Pro for capture/planning

PHD2 guiding

Pixinsight for stacking/processing

Lightroom for star fringe removal (1 click removal of blue halos, haven't found anything in Pixinsight that is THAT easy)

[BenKolt]

That's a good job, John. Well done!

 

I'm pleased to see that your Tak FSQ-106 + FR is working for you.  I have plans to buy a FR for that same scope soon.

 

I'm curious how you are guiding.  Is it an OAG or separate guide scope?  In my case I'll need to use a separate guide scope with the FR due to back focus limitations.

 

Ben

[rkelley8493]

Wow.. 

[PeteM]

Excellent work on this.

[FiremanDan]

That is a solid M31!

[elmiko]

John, this is one of the best Andromeda Galaxy images I've ever seen! And only 2 hours!!! Your processing skills are obviously outstanding!
Mike

[Jcwillis4]

That's a good job, John. Well done!

 

I'm pleased to see that your Tak FSQ-106 + FR is working for you.  I have plans to buy a FR for that same scope soon.

 

I'm curious how you are guiding.  Is it an OAG or separate guide scope?  In my case I'll need to use a separate guide scope with the FR due to back focus limitations.

 

Ben

Thanks Ben!  I’m guiding with a 60mm guidescope.  At F3, you’re looking at 2.4 arc seconds on my camera, so even ok guiding is plenty.  The F3 reducer is fantastic, highly recommend it.

[Jcwillis4]

John, this is one of the best Andromeda Galaxy images I've ever seen! And only 2 hours!!! Your processing skills are obviously outstanding!
Mike

Thanks Mike! It’s that F3 that really lets you bring the time down.  At F5 I would have needed at least double the exposure time.

[rkelley8493]

John, this is one of the best Andromeda Galaxy images I've ever seen! And only 2 hours!!! Your processing skills are obviously outstanding!
Mike

+1! I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to astro-photo, so I have no idea about exposure times and whatnot, but that's a very unique and impressive photo of Andromeda