DSI II imaging questions / issues

I have been trying to get my first reasonable image with my Meade DSI II Pro on a 10" LX200 Classic using AutoStar Suite softwre, but I am not sure what I am doing wrong after 3 attempts I still don't have much to show. Any advice would be helpful.
Below is my attempt at M31 40 combined exposures

Envisage settings:
15 sec exposures
Dark frame subtract
Deep Sky Image process combined 40% quality
File save options - JPEG Normal operation

Is this typical of 40 combined 15 second exposures? I intended to keep the exposure times low as I am still sorting out minor autoguiding issues.

Thank you,

Gordon

Attached Image:

If you are at prime focus of a 10" SCT you might try a smaller target than M31 or shoot through a shorter focal length scope. It looks like you are just getting the central core of the galaxy. Try something like the Ring nebula as it should fit the CCD better. Shoot longer subs if your guiding will allow. It looks like the stars are in good focus and that is one of the hardest things to acheive.

Attached is an image of the Bubble NGC7635 that I took at the Okie-Tex starparty last week. The conditions were not very good at the time but it was DARK! I had to cut the image short due to clouds and dew but it shows that the DSI-II is a very capable camera.

DSI-IIpro TEC modified @ -5c
L=100m RGB=30m ea / 10 minute subs
8" f 5 Newtonian with MPCC
CI-700 mount guided with ED-80, DSIpro and PHD

Don't give up and keep shooting. ;o)

Attached Image:

Hi Gordon,
John is right. With M31, you have chosen a target that is WAY too big for your focal length. His suggestion about the Ring Nebula is a good one, because it is quite bright and its size would be good for your long focal length scope. Just to give you an idea about image scale, I attached a jpeg with your scopes approximate field of view compared to M31. Take a look. Your field of view is the small square in the middle of the galaxy. I'm sure you will do better with a smaller target.
Cheers,
Tyler

Attached Image:

Here is the same field of view on the ring nebula (M57). It would be a much better fit.
Cheers,
Tyler

Attached Image:

Gordon Irwin said:

I have been trying to get my first reasonable image with my Meade DSI II Pro on a 10" LX200 Classic using AutoStar Suite softwre, but I am not sure what I am doing wrong after 3 attempts I still don't have much to show. Any advice would be helpful.
Below is my attempt at M31 40 combined exposures

Envisage settings:
15 sec exposures
Dark frame subtract
Deep Sky Image process combined 40% quality
File save options - JPEG Normal operation

Is this typical of 40 combined 15 second exposures? I intended to keep the exposure times low as I am still sorting out minor autoguiding issues.

Thank you,

Gordon

1. Longer exposures...30 seconds minimum. More is much better. Most drives will deliver enough good frames at 30 seconds to allow unguided exposures of that length.

2. If you are imaging at f/10, GET YOUR FOCAL LENGTH DOWN. I would not dream of using a DSI on this scope without Meade's f/3.3 reducer!

What other processing are you doing? How are you stretching, etc.

Imaging M31 with an SCT, and it's focal length will get you only the central core.

And it looks like you are using JPG's. You will find that you can retain a lot more data with other file formats.

Alex