M33 Triangulum Galaxy & M2 Cluster

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!
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celeron787
Posts: 113
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2020 2:30 pm

M33 Triangulum Galaxy & M2 Cluster

Post by celeron787 »

Had a rare super clear night among the recent cloudy and rainy weather.
1st session using APT and it's platesolving with the star adventurer instead of my usual intervalometer. Glad that it worked well.

1st target was M2 cluster, definitely too small for the Redcat's FOV but widefields are always nice.

Nikon D5600 H-alpha Modified
William Optics RedCat 51 Petzval APO
Svbony SV165 Mini Guide Scope
ZWO ASI120MM Mini Guide Camera
Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer
Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Aluminium Tripod

Singapore, Bortle 8
ISO400
Light Frames - 120 x 30secs (manually dithered in RA and DEC)
Dark Frames - 20 x 30secs
Flat Frames - 30
Bias Frames - 50

Deep Sky Stacker
StarTools - 71% bin, Autodev, Crop, Wipe, Autodev, Decon, Sharp, Color, Super Structure, Denoise

Annotated: https://nova.astrometry.net/annotated_full/5786628

ImageM2 Cluster by Yun Chong Lim, on Flickr

M33 Triangulum Galaxy was the 2nd target for the night.
Slightly short of 2hrs integration time. I couldn't see the galaxy in a single sub but I'm quite happy with how it turned out after stacking.
Even managed to capture 2 H-alpha blobs inside.

Nikon D5600 H-alpha Modified
William Optics RedCat 51 Petzval APO
Svbony SV165 Mini Guide Scope
ZWO ASI120MM Mini Guide Camera
Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer
Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Aluminium Tripod

Singapore, Bortle 8
ISO400
Light Frames - 216 x 30secs (manually dithered in RA and DEC)
Dark Frames - 20 x 30secs
Flat Frames - 30
Bias Frames - 50

Deep Sky Stacker
StarTools - 71% bin, Autodev, Crop, Wipe, Filmdev, Decon, Shrink, Color, Super Structure, Denoise
Lightroom - Curves

Annotated: https://nova.astrometry.net/annotated_full/5787570

ImageM33 Triangulum Galaxy by Yun Chong Lim, on Flickr

C&C appreciated!
Last edited by celeron787 on Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
hhzhang
Posts: 730
Joined: Sun May 10, 2020 4:11 pm
Favourite scope: 115mm APO

Re: M33 Triangulum Galaxy & M2 Cluster

Post by hhzhang »

Wow! The M33 galaxy is really a tough target but you managed to capture it with some lovely details.

Why you limited your subs to 30s?
celeron787
Posts: 113
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2020 2:30 pm

Re: M33 Triangulum Galaxy & M2 Cluster

Post by celeron787 »

hhzhang wrote: Mon Oct 11, 2021 5:35 pm Wow! The M33 galaxy is really a tough target but you managed to capture it with some lovely details.

Why you limited your subs to 30s?
Thanks! I was actually inspired by one of your M33 shots from last year. Quite amazed on the details captured too, abit noisy though but will probably throw in more integration time.

I found that on the redcat, 30s is where the histogram peaks about 1/3 from the left without a filter. Even with 30s, some bright stars are already overexposed so probably won't go higher than that otherwise stars might lose their colors.
hhzhang
Posts: 730
Joined: Sun May 10, 2020 4:11 pm
Favourite scope: 115mm APO

Re: M33 Triangulum Galaxy & M2 Cluster

Post by hhzhang »

Just curious how you got your camera astro-modified? I am super interested in getting my Sony a7 astro-modified too.
celeron787
Posts: 113
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2020 2:30 pm

Re: M33 Triangulum Galaxy & M2 Cluster

Post by celeron787 »

hhzhang wrote: Tue Oct 12, 2021 8:32 am Just curious how you got your camera astro-modified? I am super interested in getting my Sony a7 astro-modified too.
I got it done by Peter from HK (http://www.tan14.com.hk/suneast/). U can try contacting him to enquire more. He's reliable but I wish he was more responsive in emails.
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Dragon Man
Posts: 89
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:11 pm
Location: Snake Valley, Australia
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Re: M33 Triangulum Galaxy & M2 Cluster

Post by Dragon Man »

Stunning M33
Extremely sharp detail and very nicely processed!
Well done. Image
Cheers, Ken :D

Snake Valley, Australia

Image
President: Snake Valley Astronomical Association
celeron787
Posts: 113
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2020 2:30 pm

Re: M33 Triangulum Galaxy & M2 Cluster

Post by celeron787 »

Dragon Man wrote: Wed Oct 13, 2021 9:12 pm Stunning M33
Extremely sharp detail and very nicely processed!
Well done. Image
Thanks! I'm quite happy I didn't stop at just 1hr, wasn't too hard to process too!
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PETER LOO
Posts: 316
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:05 pm
Favourite scope: TS APO Refractor

Re: M33 Triangulum Galaxy & M2 Cluster

Post by PETER LOO »

Excellent !
celeron787
Posts: 113
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2020 2:30 pm

Re: M33 Triangulum Galaxy & M2 Cluster

Post by celeron787 »

PETER LOO wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 9:55 pm Excellent !
Thank you!!
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