A Threefer (Mosaic)

[Nighthound]

This is a two frame mosaic of M20 (Trifid Nebula at top), M8 (Lagoon Nebula at right) and NGC 6559 (bottom). The seam or joining point runs mid way horizontally but not as a straight edge. I created an irregular shape soft fade (vignette). I did some more stretching in Photoshop as well to the image which brightened things a bit from the original posted back in August.

Takahashi Sky 90 II APO Refractor-f/4.5 • Losmandy G-11 German Equatorial Mount • 120 minutes exposure time combined: 30 x 4 min exposures (unguided) • Canon 20D (unmodified).

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/PS%20Gallery/m8m20ngc6559ccc-1.jpg

[Celestron]

Very nice image Steve !

[Nighthound]

Thanks Ron, I appreciate you looking and commenting.

[drevilsmom]

So no tracking system at all? :shock: If I remember correctly, M8 is found near Sagittarius (Or is it Scorpio?), and I think you could actually see a little bit of pink through the viewfinder, instead of a fuzzy spot. That is one that I'd like to eventually photograph, along with the Pleiades for some odd reason...

[Flo]

amazing visions......you are the Master of the Stars;)

[drevilsmom]

And Steve, got any telescopes that are less than a grand that you could get shots similar to these? I looked up your scope, and needless to say, I don't think I'll be getting it any time soon!! Dang it! :lol::rolleyes:

[Nighthound]

Thanks Elizabeth and Gail.

Elizabeth, the term "unguided" means that I was not using any means to assist the mount in achieving tracking precise enough for such long exposures. The mount is always tracking at sidereal rate. When shooting with my higher focal length scope(800mm) I use the smaller scope next to or on top of the larger scope to guide the scope/mount during exposures. This is called auto guiding. With the smaller scope I'll locate what is called a guide star and by using a software program on my laptop I can lock onto the guide star and the software will over ride the mounts drift or gear errors with correction signals. To simplify, this makes the mount stay put so no movement will occur during the exposure or at least that's the theory :D. Some nights even the auto guider doesn't play nice. Hope this helps explain. You have it right, M8 is in the Sagittarius area and with dark areas can be seen well even with a modest telescope.

[Raikyn]

Cool shot :)
Your skill and PP work are to be admired.

[Nighthound]

Cool shot :)
Your skill and PP work are to be admired.

Thanks Raikyn. Greatly appreciated.

[Nighthound]

And Steve, got any telescopes that are less than a grand that you could get shots similar to these? I looked up your scope, and needless to say, I don't think I'll be getting it any time soon!! Dang it! :lol::rolleyes:

For under a grand you'd be talking about a $500-$600 mount and a $400 scope. This is possible but don't expect 4 to 5 minute unguided exposures at this price point. Believe me, I know $1000 is nothing to sneeze at but the hard reality is a high quality mount is priority one for such expectations and they don't run cheap. Mine is a mid to upper mid range mount and it ran $3100 new. Add a scope to that and well you know it gets up there quick. But with that said, you can get a set up in your range that will be great for breaking into the hobby. The mount at that price point is a tough one. Orion makes rigs in your range with the 80mm ED mounted. I can't say anything definitive about the mount but the scope is very popular among amateurs and I've seen very nice images taken with it. Do as much research as you can on the mounts and by all means post questions about specific models here. For much less you go with wide field shooting, DSLR/100-200mm lens and an Astrotrak TT320X or Orion EQ-1 for guiding as well. This would keep you under budget and allow you to find out if this is something you'd want to pursue long term without a huge investment. Later you can upgrade and keep that set up for a nice portable rig.

You could save for a while longer and try to up your budget for the sake of quality and for attaining gear that you won't outgrow quickly. Or you could go by Astromart or Cloudy Nights and look around their classifieds to see if you might find something used that will help you stretch your dollars. Keep in mind that the ssope and mount are not all you will need. There are adapters, dew/frost control heater, etc. that should be budgeted for as well.

BTW, what camera are you planning to use?

[yagimax]

Another great image for sure Steve. Whatever happened to your 10'' lx200 that I thought you had before.

thanks, Gary

[Nighthound]

Thanks Gary. I sold it to fund the G-11 and Vixen Newtonian. Wish I could have kept that OTA, it was very nice.

[drevilsmom]

BTW, what camera are you planning to use?
Eventually, I'm getting a 40D. Just waiting for a price drop. I know I'll be waiting for a while, but I've been waiting for a while anyway. I miss not having access to the University's rigs. I used to teach the Astronomy night lab years ago, and so could go and use the telescopes any time I wanted at Southeast Missouri State University. We had 5", 8", and 10" Schmidt-Cassegrains, with the 10" being a Meade with all sorts of spiffy programs. I used to carry around the 5" in my car, and would go to a nearby wildlife refuge in the middle of the night, and find all sorts of objects in the sky. I got to where it was pretty easy to even find the Ring nebula in Lyra. When I was graduating, the 10" was getting permanently mounted on a pad at the University farm, with a shed that would roll off of it. They also now have a 6' radio telescope I never got to mess with. I also learned how to develop my own B&W astro-film, and could use a CCD as well. SEMO was lucky enough to have a professor that was big-time into astronomy. LOL, he kept trying to get me to get an eventual PhD degree in exobiology, but the calculus was just not my cup'o'tea. It's been 10 years, though, since I messed with telescopes.... I'm very aware of the equipment that is needed, as well as nice frigid nights after midnight to get some good shots. I may just stick around with cheaper equipment for a while, since I would have to pay for my stuff myself. My hubby does not see the point... :rolleyes:

[Raikyn]

as well as nice frigid nights after midnight to get some good shots. I may just stick around with cheaper equipment for a while, since I would have to pay for my stuff myself. My hubby does not see the point... :rolleyes:

I know the after midnight part :lol:
especially as I'm a night person but with an early morning start for work :shock:

something went wrong there job wise :lol: but I told my boss at work don't expect me to be coherent for the first couple of hours.

[Nighthound]

Eventually, I'm getting a 40D. Just waiting for a price drop. I know I'll be waiting for a while, but I've been waiting for a while anyway. I miss not having access to the University's rigs. I used to teach the Astronomy night lab years ago, and so could go and use the telescopes any time I wanted at Southeast Missouri State University. We had 5", 8", and 10" Schmidt-Cassegrains, with the 10" being a Meade with all sorts of spiffy programs. I used to carry around the 5" in my car, and would go to a nearby wildlife refuge in the middle of the night, and find all sorts of objects in the sky. I got to where it was pretty easy to even find the Ring nebula in Lyra. When I was graduating, the 10" was getting permanently mounted on a pad at the University farm, with a shed that would roll off of it. They also now have a 6' radio telescope I never got to mess with. I also learned how to develop my own B&W astro-film, and could use a CCD as well. SEMO was lucky enough to have a professor that was big-time into astronomy. LOL, he kept trying to get me to get an eventual PhD degree in exobiology, but the calculus was just not my cup'o'tea. It's been 10 years, though, since I messed with telescopes.... I'm very aware of the equipment that is needed, as well as nice frigid nights after midnight to get some good shots. I may just stick around with cheaper equipment for a while, since I would have to pay for my stuff myself. My hubby does not see the point... :rolleyes:

You're background and education will sure help with your quest for astrophotos. This hobby is not for those that love sleep that's for sure. More than I care to admit I've gone two nights consecutive with no sleep and no sleep during the day either. I'm a wildlife photographer as well so I go from a night out directly to my birding site and then there's the whole yard care thing after that. I'm fortunate that my wife is very understanding/tolerant of my photo obsession but she has no interest in the astro part of it. I'm always a bit baffled when people show indifference to the wonders of the night sky, so much awe and it's all free for the viewing.