CCD vs Film? Lots of time vs no patience? Alright, this is your place to discuss all the astrophotography what's and what's not. You can discuss about techniques, accessories, cameras, whatever....just make sure you also post some nice photos here too!
Hi,
My first attempt on M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy) took on 12 May 2007 01:37 in Tampines. Make a few mistake, careless and the image were out of focus... So it's stay in my computer till recently when I got more time to process as much as possible to make the image look more decent. Capture Info
Telescope: Celestron 8" F5 Newtonian
Camera: Canon 300D Prime Focus with Coma Corrector
Location: Tampines, Singapore
Image: 20 x 2 minute Images @ ISO800
The image look a bit greenish due to the light pollution filter. I think it'll be better if I don't put on the light pollution filter... at least eye ball focusing will be a lot easier. Will try again on my next imaging session if M51 is still visible.
Have a nice day.
Yang Weixing "The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance."
This morning @ Mersing, Acc/RLow had mag it to cover > 1/2 of the ep view on the Portaball. We can even see the 3 arms. This is the best galaxy viewed from many observed this morning.
[80% Steve, 20% Alfred] ------- Probability of Clear Skies = (Age of newest equipment in days) / [(Number of observers) * (Total Aperture of all telescopes present in mm)]
actually Singapore can do quite a few things provided you have the right equipment and most importantly, patience!
Yes, you need some patient to polar align until you can't align anymore, focus slowly to make sure you get the best focus, find and aim at the object that you can't see visually using the finder scope or camera viewfinder... a GOTO mount will helps, but I don't have one...
Anyway, I think I'll be able to get a better image than this if I can get a good focus.
Have a nice day.
Yang Weixing "The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance."
How do you focus when you cannot see the object visually?
You first focus on a bright star near by... the center of the star will suddenly brighten up (and able to see the diffraction spike if using a newtonian) when in focus. Take a few 30s to 1min exposure shot as you focus and preview in the camera LCD to ensure that the star is in focus (and got clear diffraction spike when using a newtonian)... a laptop will helps, but I can't bring my laptop to the field.. already brought too many things. After you get a good focus, lock the focuser and aim at your target.
Anyway, I was a bit careless during focusing and the focus was out... The LPR filter make the star dimer and more difficult to focus using the naked eye... I think I'll not used the LPR filter next time.
Have a nice day.
Yang Weixing "The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance."
So it's stay in my computer till recently when I got more time to process as much as possible to make the image look more decent.
"The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance." 
