First ever image of DSO

Hi guys,

Finally, I put a bit of effort into imaging a dso. Here is the 11 stacked images, tweaked a tiny bit (due to lack of knowledge :laugh: )

Its Andromeda - using a Canon eos300d at iso1600, through a Skywatcher 80ED Pro on a Meade LXD55 just polar aligned.






And here is a single 67 second shot from the same setup.







Please feel free to comment, any tips much appreciated for the next time I get out.

well done.Not too bad for a first attempt.

Stephen - that's a fine image - the dust lanes are visible and I don't see any star trailing with the 67s image.

What I'd suggest for you next outing is to image Andromeda again but get as many images as you can - perhaps stick to a 30s exposure time. At the same time, take a bunch of darks (10 to 15) on the same night (same exposure time and they'l be about the same temperature too). Don't worry about flats for now.

If you can get upwards of 50 images, that would be a great starting point.

Not sure what your processing skills are like but you seem to be able to stack anyhow. Subtracting a master dark will help though your images don't appear to be too noisy.

Cheers and thanks for sharing!
Dave

Hey Stephen,
Awesome start! I love the contrast you got in the
dust lanes. Especially closer to the core.

What program are you using to stack and process with?

Will

Stephen

Very nice for your first attempt, I remember a little over 5 years ago, Andromeda was my first target, you've started on the journey to obtaining some great images, my only advice would be to listen to the advice from many and not just the few.

I have not imaged Andromeda for almost two years, just waiting to get a new Field Flattener for my C80ED so I can start imaging it again.

Advice from me

1. Build up your dark library on nights when imaging is not possible, categorise them on Exposure Length, ISO Speed and Temperature, dark frames need to have the same temperature as the light frames, before I cooled my camera, I used to put them in 5degreeC categories
2. Remember to do your flat frames, I could not believe what a difference it makes to your images until I started doing them
3. Be patient!
4. Be a little more patient!

Thanks for all of the advice

Dave ill take all of that onboard when I get out again.

Will, thanks a million! I got my brother to process it a bit using GIMP.

Carlight, many thanks for sharing your expoerience, and again, all advice will help get some decent pics done.