I'm still learning the tricks for autoguiding and finally had another
chance to try some things that people gave me advice on from the
Yahoogroups list. Only one clear night, not super good, but I take
what I can get here in the Seattle area!
What I did this time -
- Longer exposures on the DSI guider camera. I used 4 - 5.5
seconds this time. HUGE improvement on the tracking!! I was using 1.5
seconds before and the scope moved too much.
- Backlash. I was told that I should turn this off. I checked the
mount and it appeared to be off since it was set to "00" so I left it.
- I did download the CCDWare PEC software for the mount analysis,
but didn't run it yet since I figured I just had this one night to
play. I'll save that for a different night - hopefully before the 30
trial runs out.
The images are here on my site, the newest are on the front page.
http://www.eastsideastro.org/observatory/
M51 was just a quick 3 x 5 minute shot, but I'm very happy how that
came out even with the few frames. It was late and I had to get to bed.
M63 looking better, I'm really able to get the "sunflower seeds" in
this galaxy now.
M64 processing challenge to make this look ok. It needs more
exposures and more work.
M106 my first shot at this one. I didn't realize it was so big - and
very cool looking!
I'm getting there slowly.....
Tom
Renton, WA
chance to try some things that people gave me advice on from the
Yahoogroups list. Only one clear night, not super good, but I take
what I can get here in the Seattle area!
What I did this time -
- Longer exposures on the DSI guider camera. I used 4 - 5.5
seconds this time. HUGE improvement on the tracking!! I was using 1.5
seconds before and the scope moved too much.
- Backlash. I was told that I should turn this off. I checked the
mount and it appeared to be off since it was set to "00" so I left it.
- I did download the CCDWare PEC software for the mount analysis,
but didn't run it yet since I figured I just had this one night to
play. I'll save that for a different night - hopefully before the 30
trial runs out.
The images are here on my site, the newest are on the front page.
http://www.eastsideastro.org/observatory/
M51 was just a quick 3 x 5 minute shot, but I'm very happy how that
came out even with the few frames. It was late and I had to get to bed.
M63 looking better, I'm really able to get the "sunflower seeds" in
this galaxy now.
M64 processing challenge to make this look ok. It needs more
exposures and more work.
M106 my first shot at this one. I didn't realize it was so big - and
very cool looking!
I'm getting there slowly.....
Tom
Renton, WA
from a neighbor up north, Mt. Vernon. Saturday was such a teaser, looked good, but looks are so deceiving. 
None of my images came out very good at all. One of these days we'll see them again. Got to try out my new G-11!!! 
)