M51... - My best yet!

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Larry 1969 United States of America
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M51... - My best yet!

#1

Post by Larry 1969 »


I was pretty busy last night. I'm currently off work with a shoulder problem so babysitting my rig until 6:30 AM was no problem.
By the time M51 cleared my giant pine tree it was getting late. I chased it to the meridian and (being scared of the automated flip)
stopped, parked the scope and shot darks and bias frames. By the time I was done with that, a simple goto++ with APT put me right
back on target on the other side of the meridian. I chased it until 6:30 AM. I wound up getting 80 X 180" light frames of which I had
to discard 10. Some due to planes and satellites and a few with weird tracking errors. I was left with 70. 3.5 hours of data.

Despite some stacking issues (still working that out) I was able to produce this!

My big take away is this: More data is better. This was so easy to process. Very few adjustments required.

Thanks for looking!

Larry
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M51.png
For visual:
10" Skywatcher collapsible goto dob, various EP's and a Celestron StarSense auto align.

For imaging:
Orion 8" astrograph 800mm @ F3.9
Eq6-R Pro controlled by APT via EQmod with an OTA mounted mini PC
Tele Vue Paracorr Type 2 coma corrector
Altair Hypercam 26C
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Re: M51... - My best yet!

#2

Post by Ozypic »


Wow thats a great wide view image, theres a few things of interest in there. Thanks very much for sharing it with us. I'd be very pleased to see something like that appear on my screen one day. Phill
Phill. Dreaming of Clear Skys .... :D :D :D
SCOPE : Skywatcher 120X600 ST Achromatic Refractor. 
EP's : 25mm & 10mm Plossl , Celestron 8/24mm Zoom EP,
Filters : Solar filter, Badder Fringe Killer & Moon/Skyglow. 
MOUNT : Skywatcher Star Discovery goto Mount.
CAMERAS : ZWO 120 asi MC. / Sony HX400V 50X Zoom.
Binoculars : Saxon 10x50
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Post by TheButcher »


Very NIce Larry. I love the detail and color!
Telescopes:Apertura AD12 Dob + Rings for EQ mode Mounts: iOptron CEM70 w/ Tri-Pier Barlows:GSO 2x Shorty Focuser: Rigel nStep Cameras: ZWO174mm

See All of my Images at: https://astronebula.com/slide-show/
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Post by Juno16 »


Very nice image Larry!

I know that you were excited to see that image developing in your processing software!

Nice work!
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.
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Post by mbocca »


Larry,

Very nice image. Great processing to pull the colors out.

I live just east of you and was up until 2:30. Unfortunately, I had to go to work on Monday. Couldn't push on until 6:30.

Mike
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 Triplet APO, Celestron Edge 1100HD, Orion ST80
Mounts: Celestron CGE Pro, SkyWatcher Star Adventurer
Cameras: ZWO ASI1600mm Pro, Nikon D7100, Orion SSAG, ZWO ASI120MC
Control Software: Sequence Generator Pro, PHD2, ASCOM, Stellarium
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Post by Larry 1969 »


mbocca wrote: Tue Mar 17, 2020 12:08 pm Larry,

Very nice image. Great processing to pull the colors out.

I live just east of you and was up until 2:30. Unfortunately, I had to go to work on Monday. Couldn't push on until 6:30.

Mike
Thanks Mike!
What I found out was more good data leads to WAY easier processing. I didn't have to do much at all. StarTools is a fantastic tool!
I really struggled with processing. I thought I just sucked at it and had a ton to learn but after running this image through StarTools
it required very little.

Unfortunately, I'm currently off work with a shoulder injury so that's what allowed me to keep at it until 6:30. I composed an inaging
plan that would end 5 minutes before the meridian then laid down and set an alarm for approx that time. I then parked the scope
and shot my darks (approx 1 hour) and then got back on target and chased it west until 6:30.

I was going to quit after the darks but it was so clear and I didn't have to work so... Why not?

Larry
For visual:
10" Skywatcher collapsible goto dob, various EP's and a Celestron StarSense auto align.

For imaging:
Orion 8" astrograph 800mm @ F3.9
Eq6-R Pro controlled by APT via EQmod with an OTA mounted mini PC
Tele Vue Paracorr Type 2 coma corrector
Altair Hypercam 26C
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Post by MariusD69 »


Awesome! Well done, Larry!
Marius
Mount: iOpton Cem60, HEQ5-for spare
Scopes: newt SW 150/750PDS, dobson SW 150/1200; SW 114/500; TS Photoline 80mm f/6 Triplet APO; SW ST80
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Post by Mac »


Great work Larry. I love the colors and contrast.
Steve

Scopes : Explore Scientific ED102 Triplet APO - Radian Raptor Triplet APO - Orion 50mm
Mount : AVX EQ | Software : KStars - EKOS - Stellar OS | Cameras : ZWO ASI533MC ASI1600MM ASI120MM-mini
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Post by Greenman »


Great work Larry, if this is the Orion Astrograph it is very impressive (under your tutelage). I was looking at this as a potential imagine set up, and this has piqued my interest - thanks!
Cheers,

Tony.

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Smart Scope: Dwarf II - Club and outreach work.

AP Refractor: Altair 72EDF Deluxe F6;1x & 0.8 Flatteners; Antares Versascope 60mm finder. ASIAir Pro.Li battery pack for grab & go.

Celestron AVX Mount; X-cel LX eyepieces & Barlows 2x 3x, ZWO 2” Filter holder,

Cameras: main DSO ASI533MC; DSO guide ASI120MM; Planetary ASI224MC; DSLR Canon EOS100 stock.

Filters: Astronomik IR cut; Optolong L-Pro; Optolong L-Enhance.

Binoculars: Celestron 15 x 70.

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Post by bobharmony »


Very nice, Larry. It is a wonderful thing to get lots of time on target when it comes to processing. You did a really fine job all around!

Hope the shoulder gets better soon!

Bob
Hardware: Celestron C6-N w/ Advanced GTmount, Baader MK iii CC, Orion ST-80, Canon 60D (unmodded), Nikon D5300 (modded), Orion SSAG
Software: BYE, APT, PHD2, DSS, PhotoShop CC 2020, StarTools, Cartes du Ciel, AstroTortilla

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Post by UlteriorModem »


Yep the astrographs are a great tool in that price range.

Nicely done on the processing, indeed usually less is more :D

Always struck by the reddish / orange tint of this object. Nicely done.
Tom

Current Equipment:
Mount: Celestron CGX-L
Scope: 130mm f7 APO
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Post by Larry 1969 »


Thanks Bob!
I have a feeling work may interfere with the whole "time on target" thing... :D

Larry
For visual:
10" Skywatcher collapsible goto dob, various EP's and a Celestron StarSense auto align.

For imaging:
Orion 8" astrograph 800mm @ F3.9
Eq6-R Pro controlled by APT via EQmod with an OTA mounted mini PC
Tele Vue Paracorr Type 2 coma corrector
Altair Hypercam 26C
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Post by bobharmony »


Larry 1969 wrote: Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:40 pm Thanks Bob!
I have a feeling work may interfere with the whole "time on target" thing... :D

Larry
I hear you on that work issue. If you can get up the courage to try the APT auto flip maybe you can just set up some night and go to bed. I have tried it and it works great for my setup!

Bob
Hardware: Celestron C6-N w/ Advanced GTmount, Baader MK iii CC, Orion ST-80, Canon 60D (unmodded), Nikon D5300 (modded), Orion SSAG
Software: BYE, APT, PHD2, DSS, PhotoShop CC 2020, StarTools, Cartes du Ciel, AstroTortilla

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Re: M51... - My best yet!

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Post by JeffBevan »


Wow, nice image. One day I hope to be in your League.
Home built dome, 12" Meade LX 200 OTA, cem 60 ec, sbig stf 8300c, Starshoot AutoGuider Pro, Orion Off-axis
patience!
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Post by Larry 1969 »


Yes. I need to set that up. I think when it warms up here I'm going to set it up and pick a target that's close to the meridian
so I can be out there when it does it just in case I need to press the panic button... :D

Larry
For visual:
10" Skywatcher collapsible goto dob, various EP's and a Celestron StarSense auto align.

For imaging:
Orion 8" astrograph 800mm @ F3.9
Eq6-R Pro controlled by APT via EQmod with an OTA mounted mini PC
Tele Vue Paracorr Type 2 coma corrector
Altair Hypercam 26C
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Post by helicon »


Great image Larry - thanks for the share.
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
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Post by UlteriorModem »


babysitting my rig until 6:30 AM was no problem.
So glad I have my image capture setup more or less fully automated. Only thing I have to do is get up early to put the covers on before I go to work ;)

SGP has been a god send and the perfect tool for my 'lifestyle'. :D
Tom

Current Equipment:
Mount: Celestron CGX-L
Scope: 130mm f7 APO
Cam: ASI071mc-pro
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Larry 1969 United States of America
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Post by Larry 1969 »


UlteriorModem wrote: Tue Mar 17, 2020 2:11 pm
babysitting my rig until 6:30 AM was no problem.
So glad I have my image capture setup more or less fully automated. Only thing I have to do is get up early to put the covers on before I go to work ;)

SGP has been a god send and the perfect tool for my 'lifestyle'. :D
I'm pretty much fully automated as well. I need to get my mini PC mounted and work out some cable management before I fully trust everything.
I'm using APT but I understand SGP does nicely as well. The one thing I may never trust is the weather man...

Larry
For visual:
10" Skywatcher collapsible goto dob, various EP's and a Celestron StarSense auto align.

For imaging:
Orion 8" astrograph 800mm @ F3.9
Eq6-R Pro controlled by APT via EQmod with an OTA mounted mini PC
Tele Vue Paracorr Type 2 coma corrector
Altair Hypercam 26C
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Post by UlteriorModem »


I haven't gotten caught off guard as yet by the weather, or rather by un expected rain.

If the forecast or clear skys show clouding over in the morning hours I wont even usually set up.

SGP once configured can do it all. Center targets, do meridian flips when necessary, autofocus, it can recover automagically from an event like a cloud passing, or a lost guide star, and even park at the end of the run or a canceled sequence. It takes a lot of configuration but once done it is a marvel!

The most difficult part is to know when to start and end a target. I can get on average about 2 hours on each target as they rise out of the trees to the east and set in the trees to the west. Some targets I can get almost 4 hours on. So I usually end up with 4 or 5 targets each night. A typical run is around 12 hours worth.
Tom

Current Equipment:
Mount: Celestron CGX-L
Scope: 130mm f7 APO
Cam: ASI071mc-pro
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Larry 1969 United States of America
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#20

Post by Larry 1969 »


I hope to be able to get 12 hours on a target one day! I have to work on keeping the camera / scope orientation the same between sessions.
I like to collimate each time I set up and that requires me to remove the camera. If I could consistently repeat that orientation I could use
data from multiple sessions. Until then I'm staying up late...

Larry
For visual:
10" Skywatcher collapsible goto dob, various EP's and a Celestron StarSense auto align.

For imaging:
Orion 8" astrograph 800mm @ F3.9
Eq6-R Pro controlled by APT via EQmod with an OTA mounted mini PC
Tele Vue Paracorr Type 2 coma corrector
Altair Hypercam 26C
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