My Latest M-51: A Comparison with Previous Attempts

  • Context: Stargazing 
  • Thread starter Thread starter russ_watters
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the participant's experiences and challenges in astrophotography, specifically focusing on their latest imaging of the M-51 galaxy and comparisons with previous attempts. The conversation includes technical aspects of imaging, equipment used, and the impact of environmental conditions on the results.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their latest M-51 image, noting challenges with inconsistent skies and filter mishaps during imaging.
  • Another participant expresses enthusiasm for the original poster's new apochromatic refractor, suggesting it will enhance their widefield imaging experience.
  • A participant compliments the original poster's website and gallery, indicating appreciation for their work.
  • The original poster mentions ongoing updates to their site and shares a new image of M63, reflecting on their learning progress in astrophotography.
  • Another participant expresses admiration for the original poster's work with a simple "WOW!".
  • A later reply suggests that clearer skies, such as those found in the Grand Canyon, would improve imaging results.
  • A participant humorously suggests the potential of having a personal satellite for imaging purposes, linking to a NASA article.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express positive sentiments about the original poster's work and equipment, but there is no consensus on specific techniques or outcomes, as discussions about imaging conditions and equipment preferences remain subjective.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference personal experiences and equipment without delving into technical specifications or established practices, leaving room for varying interpretations of imaging quality and techniques.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in astrophotography, equipment comparisons, and the learning process associated with capturing astronomical images may find this discussion relevant.

russ_watters
Mentor
Insights Author
Messages
23,869
Reaction score
11,318
Still climbing the learning curve...

Here's my latest M-51, nearly 4 hours worth of data, guided, lrgb. The skies were pretty inconsistent (making it noisier than it should be), so I'm actually pretty pleased with the result.

When imaging, I accidentally slid my filters the wrong direction and ended up with two sets of reds - it took about 4 hours of mostly wasted processing time to figure that out. Tonight I had just enough transparency to redo the blue (it isn't great data, but it'll do). I'm still fiddling with the image, but this is about 95% complete. Note the dim, distant galaxy in the upper-right.

Compare with my previous two tries at this galaxy...
https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=1238705&postcount=156
https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=999862&postcount=125

I just bought an Orion ED80 apochromatic refractor to use as a guidescope and for widefield imaging. I haven't taken many pictures of clusters with my new scope because the fov is too small, so I'll probably get a bunch in the next few weeks (they are easy - they don't take much exposure).
 

Attachments

  • m51-lrgb.jpg
    m51-lrgb.jpg
    13.3 KB · Views: 562
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Pretty nice, Russ. You'll probably have fun with that APO. I've got an 80mm f:5.6 Vernonscope APO that is pretty nice as a WF imager.
 
I'm loving your site russ, nice gallery
 
Thanks. I've been updating it a lot lately.

Here's a new pic of M63 I took a few days ago. Compare it to the previous one on my site...

I still have a lot to learn, but it is fun being on the part of the learning curve where improvements from one image to the next are drastic.
 

Attachments

  • m63-3-18-07.jpg
    m63-3-18-07.jpg
    16.1 KB · Views: 612
Last edited:
All I can say is WOW!.
 
russ_watters said:
Still climbing the learning curve...

Here's my latest M-51, nearly 4 hours worth of data, guided, lrgb. The skies were pretty inconsistent (making it noisier than it should be), so I'm actually pretty pleased with the result.

Here's a new pic of M63 I took a few days ago.
Very nice, considering the skies through which the light must pass.

You need to get out west - like the Grand Canyon - where the skies clearer.

Now this is what you could do if you had your own satellite.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/12mar_stereoeclipse.htm?list183321
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Stargazing Can You Capture Colors on Consecutive Nights with a Telescope?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Mathematica This Week's Finds in Mathematical Physics (Week 241)
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K