M81 and M82 - last night

After my recent efforts at imaging M81 and M82, I tried longer exposures last night. This time, I tried the autoguider for the first time and it worked very easily. Anyway, I took 8 no. 15min exposures with the Pentax. Here's my attempt at processing them:



Again, I would appreciate any constructive advice on image processing.

Cheers,

Again, I would appreciate any constructive advice on image processing.

Cheers,

Mike........,
I wish I was qualified!

To me thats amazing!

I see you are still imaging in baby steps.
Well don on the control!
Knowing me I'd be just throwing myself into it and making all
sorts of schoolboy errors!

Nice Michael, real nice, the mottling in M82 stands out real well.

Paul

Thanks Lads.

Yes Frank, one step at a time. The whole process involves familiarising oneself not just with the camera, but also with a relatively new mount, telescope, electronic focusers and software. However, I will be stepping up a gear the next clear night I get - will be imaging galaxies with the 12". Hope to try M51 and mabey M63 if weather/time permits.

Cheers,

Again, can't offer advice or constructice criticism, just praise. I think that's a beautiful image. The detail in the spiral arms pf M81 is gorgeous and the detail in the core of M82 is also great. I have a think for wider fields of view so this image is exactly what I love to see.

Keep up the great work!

Bart.

Alright Michael,

Galaxy detail is spot on. The stars look a wee bit bloated. What I have found is that every image, even of the same object requires a completely different processing routine so its best to keep trying different options on the histos and curves. The stars may be a bit bloated due to the longer exposures. I might have said this before or not but I read somewhere that you should adjust exposure times so that the brightest object in your image is at about 65% saturation and then you can stack sub frames quite happily.

PS Forgot to say, I have never actually tried to follow this advice and I am still never completely satisfied with any image I have taken. There is always something I think I could do a hell of a lot better.