Andromeda Oct 2008

wow, this is hugely impressive at any standard, but when you consider the modest equiptment used to take it, it becomes even more so.

you used a budget dslr, a budget budget telephoto lens and an astrotrac ( not budget but still, its not a CGE or AP mount either!) and the detail is unreal.

is this a huge crop or the actual size of the galaxy as taken with your setup?

how did you control the taking of the 60 images, was it purely manual ( i.e you press and hold the shutter release chord each time) or did you set up a laptop to do it, and just check the allignment from time to time?

again, well done.

A grand first shot Steve.
Well done.
How are you finding the LP reduction filter?
(BTW I want to buy one...were did you get it again?)

Just super , amazing detail , :ohmy: gobsmacked in Bray.

Deirdre Kelleghan
PRO IFAS
President IAS

Excellent image Steve, the field of view looks perfect too, with Andromeda off-centre etc. Well done!

Seanie.

Again thanks very much for your encouragement there folks. Much appreciated!!!

fguihen : It was a piggyback job on the Scope, using DSLR Focus to take the Pics. I programmed it to do a series of 30 x 90 second exposures, after getting the focus close, then ran it again until I realised I had work the next day . I had to pop out and keep an eye on the field of view every few images and reset the mount after each five or so, images. The image is the field of the camera mostly.... Its cropped to about 90 percent of the actual FOV after stacking.

Frank: If I tried to take 90 second exposures from my site without it, I would have solid red images....:silly: I find the EOS Clip in filter tends to give a Blueish hue to the RAW files taken, however, it certainly allows longer exposures in my light polluted site (see what Keith said earlier.... I am working on the second "Globe" Light in the vacinity: blink: ). I am still experimenting with colour balance in DSS to see if it makes a difference. I dont think I would have got this image without it... to be honest......... and you can use any other lenses you have too... for different Fields of View

Carl: I tried your approach (Lights) with the local City Council, but got the "we dont have any legislation to comabt this..." reply.:side: ............. see Keiths coment;)

wellbuttie wrote:

Carl: I tried your approach (Lights) with the local City Council, but got the "we dont have any legislation to comabt this..." reply.:side: ............. see Keiths coment;)

That crap makes me sick tell him he would make a good politician. Steve just keep at them till they do something and they will. and talk to you local counsellor about the problem just don't mention Astronomy. let me know how you get on. keep at them every day