First photos with my Nexstar 8SE

[Kerry C.]

Okay, I hope you are not tired of newbies posting their first photos...but I am going to do it anyway. You have to start somewhere, right?
So I got my new T adapter and ring today and fiddled with it hooking it up to my Nexstar 8SE.
These were taken with my Canon T3i. I took way too many photos but I was trying different camera settings. They were all taken manually because as of yet I don't have an astronomy app
for my computer.
Anyway, here are a few of the many photos I took
Kerry

[Juno16]

Nice work Kerry.,

I’ll bet that you had fun too!

Thanks,
Jim

[Kerry C.]

Yes, it was a great day of learning.
I also put on my solar filter and followed the sun for an hour or so.
Good times!
Now I need to look into those astronomy photo apps and get familiar with them.
So much to learn.
Kerry

[Don Quixote]

A fine beginning, Kerry !
Thank you.
Looking forward to you future work.

[bladekeeper]

Very nice, Kerry!

Keep 'em coming!

[Lady Fraktor]

Nice images though I will point out one thing in image number 4.
I see you have the cap on your eyepiece and I will assume your dust cover is on.
Leaving the scope pointing in the direction of the sun is not a good idea, a casual glance without thinking about where it is pointing and goodbye eyesight.

[Kerry C.]

Nice images though I will point out one thing in image number 4.
I see you have the cap on your eyepiece and I will assume your dust cover is on.
Leaving the scope pointing in the direction of the sun is not a good idea, a casual glance without thinking about where it is pointing and goodbye eyesight.

Thank you for the concern.
The solar cover was on as I had been looking at the sun previously.

[mikemarotta]

Okay, I hope you are not tired of newbies posting their first photos...

No way. Thanks. And thanks also showing what can be done with the equipment. I went online to see the prices for your camera and it is inexpensive, yet, clearly capable. How do the Pleiades come out, if I may suggest it. My interest is in recording my viewing. I keep a notebook. I could supplement it with perhaps an Excel file on my computer with the images.

[Thefatkitty]

We all started somewhere Those are really good! A few tips... I have the T3, and I don't use a PC for the focusing. What I do is use the 10X zoom on the LCD display and focus on the terminator line somewhere; preferably on a crater's edge. Once that's dialed in, the rest of 'ol Luna is all in focus. I've actually used a magnifying glass as well as the zoom feature. Not getting any younger here with the eyesight...

You could also stack them using PIPP and AS2, then sharpened some with Registax; all free software. For joining the upper and lower halves, Microsoft ICE works well (again, free!), just ask Bryan

Regardless, well done Kerry, hope to see more!

All the best,

[Kerry C.]

Okay, I hope you are not tired of newbies posting their first photos...

No way. Thanks. And thanks also showing what can be done with the equipment. I went online to see the prices for your camera and it is inexpensive, yet, clearly capable. How do the Pleiades come out, if I may suggest it. My interest is in recording my viewing. I keep a notebook. I could supplement it with perhaps an Excel file on my computer with the images.

Okay, this statement will show how new I am to world of astronomy. When you asked how "Pleiades" come out. I have to admit I didn't know what that was or where it was located. So I looked it up and when I saw that it was also known as the Seven Sisters, I then knew of it, because that's what I learned to call it as a young boy. I have so much to learn. I will make "Pleiades" a next stop in my future viewing.

[Kerry C.]

We all started somewhere Those are really good! A few tips... I have the T3, and I don't use a PC for the focusing. What I do is use the 10X zoom on the LCD display and focus on the terminator line somewhere; preferably on a crater's edge. Once that's dialed in, the rest of 'ol Luna is all in focus. I've actually used a magnifying glass as well as the zoom feature. Not getting any younger here with the eyesight...

You could also stack them using PIPP and AS2, then sharpened some with Registax; all free software. For joining the upper and lower halves, Microsoft ICE works well (again, free!), just ask Bryan

Regardless, well done Kerry, hope to see more!

All the best,

Oh wow, what a great tip!! I will make sure I do this on my next viewing/photo taking adventure.
Thank you...

[Thefatkitty]

Oh wow, what a great tip!! I will make sure I do this on my next viewing/photo taking adventure.
Thank you...

My pleasure It's funny, I have a laptop, but the battery holds a charge for about 30 seconds After a few times taking it out with an extension cord, hooking up the cables, waiting for it to boot up, start the Canon software.... All set, and now the Moon's behind some trees!

It's probably a funny sight. Me, with my glasses on, holding up a magnifying glass to a camera's LCD screen which is already at 10X. I believe there's more optical elements involved (my old eyes included) in the focus than the actual picture!!

Another hint: If you do decide to shoot the Seven Sisters (and why not?), the focus you achieve on the Moon will be the same for the stars. In other words, if your scope's focuser is set for AP of the Moon, any other target in the sky will be in focus for AP as well

Clear skies to you and hope you take some more shots

All the best,