M33 .... semi-presentable result

Dave,

I am very tempted to put away a few hours one day and really feast on testing the issue of flats. There are many techniques to taking these (nuisance but necesary) exposures and I would like to see if there really is an optimal means to this end.

I suspect I will start as early as tomorrow with sky flats during the day using extremely quick exposures (ex. 1/1000) as well as the t-shirt method.

I am a believer in taking flats at the end of each session rather than using "master flats" from a previous session. However, I will revisit this issue to see whether flats are basically stable from session to session. I suspect this not to be the case for obvious reasons but maybe, just maybe, it may be a good to keep a copy or two of previous master flats around for the occasional session when things go bad.

By the way, I came across a thread elsewhere surrounding electro-fluorescent material that supposedly yields great flats. Have you see anything similar? I have checked on eBay and they sell quite cheap ... and they also include a 12v DC adapter for simple power usage.

Not a bad image Anthony, there are several good NGC H-alpha star forming regions in there,

Hi Dave,

A large number of these also have then own IC and NGC designations. Here is a quick glimpse with labels: www.astrovox.gr/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=4873

By the way, I came across a thread elsewhere surrounding electro-fluorescent material ...

That should read "electroluminescent" ....

Flats, or no Flats Anthony, that's an astounding image :shock: the level of detail is fantastic. I also se that you captured an asteroid at bottom left

Keith..

Anthony, you should improve your English.

You incorrectly used the word "poor" when you should have used the word "fabulous".

Peter.

Thanks Keith and Peter.

I suspect you will be even more impressed when there is a more "complete" image. The next opportunity will be in early November and I hope to have something new (and better) then.

Clear skies!