M101 from Dogtown Ranch, CA

This needs a bit more data but I was happy with result despite the gradient introduced from porch spotlights that were turned on during the sequence. I know, I know, I need to get a CFW, but I'm just starting out so I still have alot to learn about capturing and processing Luminance only data.

Imaged 7/03/2005 from Dogtown Ranch, Stanislaus NF, CA
(about 30 miles WSW as the crow flies from Yosemite NP.)
Tak FS-102 @ F8
Losmandy GM8
ST 2000XM
Guided with Borg 77ED and ST 237A
6 X 10min Luminance
Captured and calibrated with MaxIm DL 4
Processed with Photoshop CS.

Attached Image:

Vincent,
That's a really nice Luminance. Great Job.

Looks like your "learning" is on a crash course based on this result. I look forward to when you will be adding color to your images

Hi Vincent!

Good job! What's nice about this is, once you get your filter wheel, you can add the color data to this same luminance data, even months later!

FWIW, we have a very similar optical setup: Tak FS102 and Borg 76ED for me. I'm curious: why did you guide with the external scope instead of the internal guider of the ST2000? Or are you practicing for narrow-band imaging?

Eric

That's a very nice M101, Vincent. Your learning plan is a good one. There's plenty to learn with 'simple' luminance processing and a lot of these skills are used with color processing, too.

dan kowall

Excellent shot Vince!
A good friend once told me that the best way to start on CCD imaging was in B/W, and once mastered then move on to color... so you are on the right track my friend.

Keep it up, and keep'em coming! 8)