Messier 13 - last night

Hi all.

I know the serious DSO observers will probably be sick of looking at yet another M13, however, this is my first attempt using my modest equipment.



Taken last night, this is a stack of 5 x 40 second exposures, ISO 1600, Canon 350 d at Prime Focus. Telescope LXD 75, 6 inch Newt (yep... the Lidls special!!!).

Stacked and aligned in Photoshop. Green channel used as a Luminosity layer, Gradient removal, and Levels....also in Photoshop.

A Special thanks to Dave Grennan for recommending DSLR Focus, .... it took alot of the pain out of focusing!!

Still looks great Steve! The cluster itself seems to have an aura about it. Is this intentional, or accidentily picked up by the exposures? Either way, don't remove it, it almost makes the cluster have a spiritual presence about it!

Hi Steve.

That is a very good image you got lot's of detail. I can still see the individual stars in the center.Plus your tracking is spot on. that is the best thing about M13 lot's of short exposures will do the job fine.

Well done.

PS

Wait till you see the results you get with your new set up.

Thanks Seanie...

The Aura seemed to "pop out" after applying the Green Channel as the Luminosity Layer. So I dont know if you could call it a processing artifact or something else?

The funny thing was that, I had to use averted vision to see the Cluster in the eyepiece.

Carl....

Once I saw what my small setup achieved, all I could think of was "if only... I had my new set up". Anyway only a few more weeks to go!!!!! I am looking forward to actually being able to see some of these objects , with the greater aperature

Well done Steve, Its a great atempt for your first photo. keep up the good work. If you get a set of guide rings you could take a lot longer pic's. I made my first set, its not hard, or you could buy them. Once again great shot.[/list]