Pleiades First Light

Nice night tonight, so I thought I'd push my scope to it's limits. Bear in mind it's a single fork alt-az mount, at the low end of the spectrum. Anyway for experience I thought I'd better try my first DSO with the (as yet unmodified) Canon 350D. So no nebulosity in this shot. No prizes for guessing the target. No processing except for camera automatic darks, and a bit of unsharp mask in MS Digital Image Suite. Can't wait to try this after a camera mod and the LX200R 10" (not yet ordered) on a BCF AC400 wedge - should be a tad better. I tried ISO400 on this but vignetting was major.



Canon 350D, ISO200, 39sec exposure, Celestron 102SLT.

John, I wish my first DSO attempt was even close to being that good. You got nice tight focus, sharp well tracked stars. Two of the essential elements are already there.

Perhaps you could try balancing this a tad more to the blue end and away from the red just a teeny bit.

Also remember when you get your nice shiny SCT you wont be able to fit all of this into the FOV!

Well done John and welcome to the fun (and frustrating world) of DSO imaging!

Thanks Dave,

I won't do anything about the processing until I've made the mods on the 350D. Do you have any of that clear glass left? I'll be at the SDAS meet on Thursday so if your there shout me and bring some glass. It's quite apparent that until the mod is done nebulosity is non permisso.

I'd also be interested to hear your input on focal reducers. I can get a deal when ordering the scope but will have to pay whole shebang if ordering later.

John,

Yes some glass still available. Unfortunately I wont be able to make the SDAS meet on Thursday:( If you want to come over to my place some night we can do the mod together? I have all the tools needed, glass cutters etc.

John,

Yes some glass still available. Unfortunately I wont be able to make the SDAS meet on Thursday:( If you want to come over to my place some night we can do the mod together? I have all the tools needed, glass cutters etc.

Absolutely

PM me contact details.

P.S., we've a Sidewalk Astronomy meet on Saturday in Sandymount, see details on this link:
www.irishastronomy.org/boards/viewtopic.php?p=40671#40671
would love to see you there - bring a scope if you can.

John,
A good first go, What scope was this done with , if you can you should try and tone down the blue abit. Daves totally right in saying there is now way you'll fit the entire cluster in the FOV of the 10".