Adrena1in
27th of May 2009 (Wed), 07:45
Finally got out and did some imaging last night...first time this year really! Was about time I gave my "new" William Optics ZenithStar 70mm some light.
A nice, crisp crescent moon was setting in the west, so I quickly took a couple of shots of that, first with my 1200mm and then with my 18-200mm lens, at 60mm, to capture a bit of earth shine.
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9018/crescent.jpg
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2236/earthshine.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2236/earthshine.jpg)
Into the back garden, I set up my mount on my pre-painted alignment spots and attached the WO ZS70. First target was M13 as it was in a good position, and is an easy one. Bit small for the 70mm really, and though my tracking through the night wasn't great, the colours are better than I've managed before.
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/797/m13zni.jpg
Popped over to Lyra, and took a shot of Vega, then wondered how big (small) M57 would appear. Pretty small! ;)
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6538/m57m.jpg
Searched for M81 and M82 for a bit, but couldn't find them, so hopped over to M51 instead. Never really managed to capture this before, and I know I need to devote far more time to it...this was just five 60s shots.
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/7915/m51c.jpg
M101 was nearby, so tried that too. Again, just five 60s shots. This is a dim one, so will have to pay more attention to it next time. Still the best I've managed yet! EDIT: In posting this I've just noticed a smudge towards the left, near the centre...another galaxy? (I should check a star chart.)
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/3473/m101.jpg
Just before packing up I got out the binos and had a quick look for M81 and M82, and found them straight away, so aimed the scope. Only got three 60s shots with acceptable trailing. Wondered what the smudge is nearby...another galaxy or cluster I assume?
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9805/m81m82.jpg
I know none of the images are any good really, but it was just nice to be out for a few hours under a pretty bloomin' nice sky. Next time I'll focus on one object and give it more attention.
A nice, crisp crescent moon was setting in the west, so I quickly took a couple of shots of that, first with my 1200mm and then with my 18-200mm lens, at 60mm, to capture a bit of earth shine.
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9018/crescent.jpg
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2236/earthshine.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2236/earthshine.jpg)
Into the back garden, I set up my mount on my pre-painted alignment spots and attached the WO ZS70. First target was M13 as it was in a good position, and is an easy one. Bit small for the 70mm really, and though my tracking through the night wasn't great, the colours are better than I've managed before.
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/797/m13zni.jpg
Popped over to Lyra, and took a shot of Vega, then wondered how big (small) M57 would appear. Pretty small! ;)
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6538/m57m.jpg
Searched for M81 and M82 for a bit, but couldn't find them, so hopped over to M51 instead. Never really managed to capture this before, and I know I need to devote far more time to it...this was just five 60s shots.
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/7915/m51c.jpg
M101 was nearby, so tried that too. Again, just five 60s shots. This is a dim one, so will have to pay more attention to it next time. Still the best I've managed yet! EDIT: In posting this I've just noticed a smudge towards the left, near the centre...another galaxy? (I should check a star chart.)
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/3473/m101.jpg
Just before packing up I got out the binos and had a quick look for M81 and M82, and found them straight away, so aimed the scope. Only got three 60s shots with acceptable trailing. Wondered what the smudge is nearby...another galaxy or cluster I assume?
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9805/m81m82.jpg
I know none of the images are any good really, but it was just nice to be out for a few hours under a pretty bloomin' nice sky. Next time I'll focus on one object and give it more attention.