I had some time today to do a preliminary processing on an M81 image I took under light-polluted conditions in my front yard. Equipment was the new C14, a Finger Lakes IMG 42-40 camera (2048x2048, 13.5-micron pixels), Paramount ME. 25 5-minute images binned 2x2 in luminance, color added with FCT-150 and CM-10ME camera.
With a total of 125 minutes of exposure, the result overcomes the limitations of light pollution in many respects. The worst problem I had to deal with was the lack of a flat field - I only had the camera three days and never got a flat to cover this filter combination. With light pollution, good flats are essential. I did some quick adjustments manually in Photoshop, but the image really deserves a more careful manual flatting for optimal results. That will have to wait until I have the time!
Ron Wodaski
author of "The New CCD Astronomy"
http://www.newastro.com
With a total of 125 minutes of exposure, the result overcomes the limitations of light pollution in many respects. The worst problem I had to deal with was the lack of a flat field - I only had the camera three days and never got a flat to cover this filter combination. With light pollution, good flats are essential. I did some quick adjustments manually in Photoshop, but the image really deserves a more careful manual flatting for optimal results. That will have to wait until I have the time!
Ron Wodaski
author of "The New CCD Astronomy"
http://www.newastro.com
Attached Image:
Ron Wodaski
New Astronomy Press
http://www.newastro.com
