Meade DSI Pro II: First LRGB Photo of Whirlpool Galaxy

  • Context: Stargazing 
  • Thread starter Thread starter russ_watters
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the participant's experience with the Meade DSI Pro II camera, focusing on their first LRGB photograph of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M-51). The conversation touches on the challenges of astrophotography, including equipment limitations, processing techniques, and the impact of environmental conditions on stargazing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • The participant describes their new DSI Pro II camera as having higher resolution and sensitivity compared to their previous camera, which they believe enhances their astrophotography.
  • They mention the difficulty of taking multiple exposures and combining them, noting that their current telescope's tracking issues limit the quality of their images.
  • One participant inquires about the grainy appearance of the photo, suggesting it may be due to the processing of low-quality original data.
  • The participant shares an unprocessed luminance frame to illustrate the challenges faced in capturing good data.
  • There is a discussion about the impact of environmental conditions on stargazing, with one participant expressing frustration over recent poor weather affecting visibility.
  • Speculation arises about the participant's potential purchase of a new telescope and how it might influence their ability to share views in person.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express shared experiences regarding the challenges of astrophotography and the impact of environmental conditions. However, there is no consensus on the specifics of the processing techniques or the implications of purchasing new equipment.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference limitations related to equipment performance, environmental conditions, and the processing of astrophotographic images. The discussion does not resolve these issues or provide definitive solutions.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in astrophotography, equipment comparisons, and the challenges of capturing celestial images may find this discussion relevant.

russ_watters
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I recently bought Meade's new DSI Pro II, which is a black and white camera of higher resolution and sensitivity than my last camera. Below is my first lrgb photo with it. It is a lot of work to take many separate exposures and then combine them, but the results are good. I'm really limited by my equipment here - with my telescope's tracking bug, I can only keep about 1/3 of photos of 30 seconds exposure, and I can't do any longer. So this photo is heavily processed, which is why the contrast is pretty low. I'm really itching for a new scope, and it'll probably happen before the end of the summer.

Anyway, this photo is M-51, the Whirlpool Galaxy, a relatively nearby neighbor. For the luminance data, I set up my scope on my deck and went to bed! I love my new house...
 

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russ_watters said:
ISo this photo is heavily processed, which is why the contrast is pretty low.
Is that what gives it that grainy look?

Sounds like you're enjoying your new house and living where it's dark at night. :approve: I always enjoy the updates...love the pictures. Sure you don't want to drive several hours out of your way to show me some of these views in person? :biggrin:
 
Moonbear said:
Is that what gives it that grainy look?
Yes. It is tough to amplify the signal without amplifying the noise. To give an idea of how little good data was in the origionals, attached is an unprocessed luminance (b/w) frame.
Sounds like you're enjoying your new house and living where it's dark at night. :approve: I always enjoy the updates...love the pictures. Sure you don't want to drive several hours out of your way to show me some of these views in person? :biggrin:
Yeah, like my house and deck. We'll see about the drive - I may be buying a new telescope this summer.
 

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Last edited:
russ_watters said:
Yes. It is tough to amplify the signal without amplifying the noise. To give an idea of how little good data was in the origionals, attached is an unprocessed luminance (b/w) frame.
Wow, that starts out pretty dim. Now I can see why you lose quality in order to enhance the brightness.
Yeah, like my house and deck. We'll see about the drive - I may be buying a new telescope this summer.
Hee, you're always so cryptic. Does that mean after buying a new telescope, you won't be able to afford a trip anywhere, or that once you have a new telescope, you'll have more incentive to show it off?

The weather around here has been atrocious lately for even just plain old stargazing without a telescope though...for my first few days back last week, it was disgustingly hot and hazy, and then changed to dreary, cloudy and rainy for a week. It's definitely dark enough, but you can't see anything through the cloud cover. This is not normal spring weather.
 

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