Very Amateur Astronomy

Fairly happy with this one.

M27, The Dumbbell Nebula, a planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula.

This image is composed of data taken over two nights. I took about 60 two minute exposures at ISO800, then another 30 at ISO1600 to bring out the fainter nebulosity. The above image is taken from just the ISO800 data. I then combined that image and merged it with the output of the ISO1600 data to produce the following :

I need to learn about isolating and bringing out specific colours, the red needs to be stronger to bring out the detail a bit more so watch this space for an update on that.

Take a look in the gallery page for a  wide angle view as well.

I had some issues with the mount during this shoot, though I’ve not identified the cause yet.  It seems that the mount was shifting, or possibly the scope or some component of it was. My most successful image as far as length of exposure was concerned was during the Whirlpool session where I could reach 3 minute subs without problem. On that occasion the scope was pointing almost directly up. For this image I started just as the nebula cleared the houses. 

I am going to construct a more study mounting bracket for the scope, and will also take a look at the primary mirror cell as well as maybe that’s where it’s shifting, certainly when moving the scope it clunks and shifts. I’ll see where I get with that before taking another look at the mount.

The plan has been to replace the primary cell with a replacement from Orion Optics, they will supply new 9 point cells for older scopes as well as improved four vane secondary spiders. Yet more items for the shopping list.

A poster on Stargazers Lounge kindly linked me to a very nice tutorial on Learning to use photoshop curves. This is something I’ve been looking for, correct use of curves to anchor white and black points before processing is going to greatly improve my images.

I’ll have a go with his techniques on the M13 image this evening to see what I can do with it.

The weather finally gave me a break last night and allowed me to get out and do some imaging. Unfortunately I had to wait until the moon had gone done before trying anything which meant a very late night. Never mind though, the result was worth the time spent.

M13, the great cluster in Hercules, along with faint galaxy NGC6207 on the left and the trail of a passing satellite which I should probably remove. There is also an even fainter galaxy which I have not been able to identify as yet.

This image is composed of :

• 20 x 1.5 minute light frames
• 20 x 1.5 minute dark frames
• 20 light frames using the home made light box.
• 20 dark bias frames.

Taken with :

• Canon EOS 1000D unmodified at prime focus
• Orion Options 250mm F4.8 Reflector
• Skywatcher Light Pollution filter
• Vixen Sphinx SX Mount
• 3 cups of tea.

I’m pretty happy with the result, my post processing skills are improving nicely and being able to pull the detail of the spiral arm of NGC6207 out whilst not completely ruining the dark level of the image is something I’m happy about. I still need to spend time learning how to better remove unwanted noise form the image, though I think I will ask for some assistance from the more experienced imagers at BAS for that.