Hi Everyone!
I started out in
AP about a year and a half ago. Just about every image that I produced was amazing to me and my best so far. I received a bunch of encouragement from both members of this forum and the old AF forum.
My progression has been slow and economical. Yeah, economical and
AP don’t quite mix, but not only do I not have a load of cash to spend on equipment, I’ve learned through the years that I can’t make an intelligent choice on
AP equipment (or anything for that matter) unless I learn a good bit about it and why it will work better for me.
I didn’t start this hobby to be a “stellar” astrophotographer at all. I just want to see what I can do with a basic setup and the usual types of
AP challenges. The challenges for me being aptitude, experience, equipment, budget, and
Bortle 7 skies.
Challenges that can easily be overcome if my expectations are kept in check.
My best image (to me) is my last image (imaging that!). It is the Whirlpool Galaxy (
Messier 51). I have imaged it several times since I started. Well, actually three times.
The first time was with my Nikon D3300 (unmodified) using Digicamcontrol software. No dithering, about a couple of hours integration.
The second attempt was last month. I collected about 2 ½ hours with my Nikon D5300 (
Ha mod) using
APT. The third time was last week and I added the data together with the data from April.
The second image was a step up from the first which is all that I can hope for. There was still a bit more noise that I didn’t care for.
The third image (last week) which is a combination of data from the last two sessions, had a total integration of 5.9 hours (89 lights X 240 sec x iso 400).
It is really exciting to see improvements. I just wish that I could get good results with less integration time!!!
Besides integration time, I still have challenges imaging M51 due to its smallish size in my
fov. Also, I am still not using a field flattener, so I have to do some work on the stars in post-processing. I need to work on my stars in general too. I have some issues there. Maybe a dedicated astro cam in the future?
So much to learn (so much to buy) and so far to go!
Well, this is my story. What is your best image and why?
Jim
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), Orion 50mm Guide Scope, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, Orion SSAG, IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut,
N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin:
https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/