CCD imaging activity as it happens
01/01/17: Image Processing Update
Finally processed my image of M45 The Pleiades -LRGB 90:120:120:120, total exposure time 7.5 hours. This was really difficult to process. There were a number of light pollution gradients and internal reflections to contend with. I was trying to achieve an image that doesn't look over processed or too blue!
After several attempts I finalised the new image. I would have liked more star colour but that will be one of the next steps on the LRGB learning curve.
04/11/16: Update
I finished processing the NGC 281 image this evening. This is a HaRGB image (300:120:180:120), total exposure time 12 hours
I used Robert Gendler's technique of blending the hydrogen alpha data with the red filtered data to use for the RGB image, then layering in the main hydrogen alpha data. It results in less washed-out reds in the nebula
01/11/16: Update
A busy couple of nights
Yesterday I managed to get two hours of blue data for NGC 281 and then once it had crossed the meridian I switched to M45 and captured nearly two hours of blue data.
This evening with it being cloudy, the camera has been taking dark frames
Progress update:
NGC 281
Hydrogen alpha - 5.5 hours
Red - still to shoot - aim for 2 hours
Green - 3 hours
Blue - 2 hours
M45 Pleiades
Luminance - 1.5 hours
Red - still to shoot - aim for 1.5 hours
Green - still to shoot - aim for 1.5 hours
Blue - 1.75 hours
30/10/16: Imaging update
Unexpected clear skies this evening so decided to gather some more NGC 281 data. I acquired 3 hours through the green filter before the scope cables hit the mount. I then decided to capture some luminance data for M45 The Pleiades; another target I'm interested in.
As I have been using 5 minute subframes I will need some 5 minute darks at -22 degrees
RGB and Hydrogen alpha flats captures at twilight this evening.
Guiding performance was good, especially in declination due to the better polar alignment
27/10/16: Update
Last night I managed another 2.5 hours of NGC-281 in hydrogen alpha. I spent a little longer than usual setting up as I'm still getting to grips with PHD2 and the need to optimise the polar alignment for best results.
Autoguiding performance was very good, with good RMS values for both RA and Dec. Sub-pixel guiding was achieved ensuring round stars in all 15 minute subframes.
This evening the CCD is busy capturing dark frames and I'll run the Bias frames later.