My first night of Astro Photography

[Johnny9s]

The skies finally cleared up and I got my first chance at deep space imaging. I started with M31 then moved on to M45. It took a while to get my scope accurately polar aligned and tracking properly.

These shots are both ISO 1600, 18 frames @60 seconds with 10 dark frames stacked in DSS. Processed in CS3 using curves, levels and some of Noels tools.
Shot through my Sky-Watcher Equinox 80ED 500mm f/6.3. I noticed that I really need to get a focal reducer/field flattener.

I need to still do some work on M45 to get rid of the extra blue cast I think.

M31
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/2894855314_79af23e154_o.jpg

M45
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2895268353_0bed48c280_o.jpg

John

[troypiggo]

First shot is wonderful. Should be pretty easy to get rid of the blue in the second.

What is a focal reducer and/or field flattener?
And can I ask what mount you have? I googled "Sky-Watcher Equinox 80ED" but that appears to be the telescope, not a mount?

[Johnny9s]

What is a focal reducer and/or field flattener?

Thanks for the comments. The focal reducer flattens out the image to the edges. You can see around the corners how the stars look stretched. How it works I am not sure but someone more knowledgeable on the subject might be able to help.

[Nighthound]

Like a duck to water. :D These completely put my first efforts to shame.

These are really very good John. Your focus is right on but you're right the classic optical distortion is visible with the outer stars projecting from center. A nice reducer/flattener will fix that.

Here's a color balance correction on M45. Take an eyedropper sample of the background in my adjustment and compare to your original and you'll be able to see how I shifted it. I go by the cmyk measurement to get balance, it's easier for me to add and subtract color in that way because of my background in print. I also stretched it a bit more and eeked out a little more nebulosity.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Astrophotography/test/tst2/2895268353_0bed48c280_nh.jpg

[mellowd]

Wonderful, I'd love to be able to do this kind of photography

[Johnny9s]

Thanks Steve. That adjustment is exactly what I was looking for. I will try to duplicate it with your explanation.

[troypiggo]

Thanks for the explanation - I see what you mean now.

And what is your mount?

[Johnny9s]

I am using the HEQ-5 Pro from Sky-Watcher.

[troypiggo]

Thanks for that. I'm compiling a list of mounts you guys are using to help me narrow down some options ;)

[Johnny9s]

Here is my second attempt with M45.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/2897062004_8db153a0b3_o.jpg

John

[Oneslowz28]

Wonderful Image Johnny. M31 is a treat to image. I also love the shot of Pelades. M31, Pelades, M42, The beehive, and The horse head are my winter favorites. Clear Skies to you.

[Celestron]

WOW ! Couple great shots ! Puts mine to shame :( .

[SlowBlink]

Excellent work John. Rockin nebulosity too :)

[SKnight]

First night? WOW!

[BrianEP]

Super great love the images, I used to have a scope but it broke in Mexico while traveling back in a car crash. :( I so need to get another one.

Again great work!

[Jim G]

Damn! For first results that has to be great.

[PJ1958]

Really nice images! I just found this forum, so now I'll have a place to post my first astro images :) I'm going to be shooting with my 40D and a few various lenses piggybacked on my Orion 8" Newtonian to start with.

[_aravena]

The more I see these photos the more I think investing in a decent setup. Even if I get something close to this it'd be worth it. How many people have those photos hanging up and can say they took it.

[Kadath]

For those of us thinking of getting started, can you post a picture of your rig and give a ballpark $$$ figure?

[_aravena]

There's a thread for that already. Not many threads here, sure you can find it.

[Celestron]

The more I see these photos the more I think investing in a decent setup. Even if I get something close to this it'd be worth it. How many people have those photos hanging up and can say they took it.


I have a couple wall hangers at home but the one i'm really proud of is THIS ONE (http://home.grandecom.net/~r.hodges/PlublishedImages.html) .

[Nighthound]

Nice Ron! That IS a Beauty.

[acchildress]

Very nice. Especially the first one.

[Sky of the Plains]

Great post processing! the only thing I'd suggest is to flip the pleaides, so it is more recognizable. Congratulations on a great start!

Tyler

[AustinTyler]

Really makes you wonder whats out there...

[Kadath]

Yeah, I started that other thread lol