Image of the day

Captured by
Yue Ma

M16

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: Rob Mackie

July 21, 2005 06:21 AM Forum: Pictures of Me and My Telescope and........

Sedona Traveler

Posted By Rob Mackie
Here's the view (looking north)from the balcony of the Sedona, AZ bed and breakfast where my wife and I stayed for 3 nights in early July. I logged a bunch of objects from the 110 Best NGC Objects list published by the Saguaro Astronomy Club. A most enjoyable way to view the heavens.

Rob Mackie

July 22, 2005 08:17 PM Forum: Landscape Photography

Another Grand Canyon View

Posted By Rob Mackie
Taken with a Canon Digital Rebel. Conditions were quite hazy due to fires in early July. It took some processing in Paintshop Pro to get a useable image.

Rob Mackie

July 22, 2005 08:22 PM Forum: Landscape Photography

SF Bay View

Posted By Rob Mackie
Taken with a Nikon 990 a few years back. That's Alcatraz, Bay Bridge and Oakland in background.

Rob Mackie

August 28, 2005 12:16 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

First Try at DSLR Imaging: M57

Posted By Rob Mackie
Last night I made my first try at imaging. I used an unmodified Canon 350D at prime focus through an AP 130 F/6. Mount is a Losmandy G11 (non Gemini), no guiding. The image consists of three 5 minute exposures at ISO 800, stacked in Registax, and processed with Paintshop Pro. I did no dark frames or dark subtration...that lesson is for another night. I imaged from my light polluted back yard in the SF Bay Area. Nearby street lights and sky glow made the unprocessed images bright orange, which made me think, initially at least, that something was wrong with the camera. Next time I'll use a Skyglow filter, or is there something better for filtering out skyglow?

To say I'm a beginner at this overstates my imaging expertise. I'm looking for tips and suggestions and consider this a very small first step, so criticize away and tell me how to get tighter, non elongated stars and more presentable images.

Rob Mackie

August 30, 2005 03:08 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Newbie M57...Again. Canon 350D and AP Traveler

Posted By Rob Mackie
Last night I made my second effort ever at imaging the night sky. Location was my light polluted yard in SF Bay Area. All manor of skyglow and streetlights are available for one's viewing pleasure. Lacking an LP filter, I did fifteen 30 second exposures at ISO 800 stacked in Registax, Canon 350D at prime focus though AP Traveler (105mm), focusing with Hartmann mask, mount was Losmandy G11 non gemini. I understand this is a meager effort compared to the remarkable images appearing routinely in this forum, but I need criticism and suggestions. I've incorporated several suggestions from my first night out Saturday night (Hartmann mask, shorter multiple exposures to combat light pollution)and a LP filter is on the way from Hutech.

Rob Mackie

October 29, 2005 08:58 PM Forum: Landscape Photography

Nauset Beach Cape Cod, MA

Posted By Rob Mackie
This and the following pics were taken with a Canon Digital Rebel 350 on 27 Oct 2005 just after a Nor'easter had passed through.

Rob Mackie

November 28, 2005 09:27 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M42 with Canon 350D & AP 130 F/6

Posted By Rob Mackie
This image, done from my light polluted Bay Area yard, consists of ten 5-minute exposures at ISO 400. It's my first attempt at using ImagesPlus to calibrate, stack and enhance an image. I followed Mike Unsold's DSO tutorial in which he shows the processing sequence for his M42 images. Without it, I would have been lost.

Rob Mackie

December 2, 2005 06:21 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

M42 with Canon 350D & AP 130 F/6

Posted By Rob Mackie
This is my first attempt at processing with ImagesPlus. The image is comprised of ten 5-minute raw exposures at ISO 400, stacked, calibrated with darks and bias frames et al, and a minor amount of stretching and gamma adjustment. I utilized a Hutech LPS filter from my light-polluted Bay Area location. My Canon 350D is unmodified, so the reds are very subdued. I haven't attempted masking or any other processing tricks as yet, so the core is burnt out. The AP 130 F/6 was mounted on a Tak EM200 and guided with an STV/E-Finder. Comments welcome. I'm low on the processing learning curve, so need all the help I can get.

Rob Mackie

December 22, 2005 12:37 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

Double Cluster

Posted By Rob Mackie
This image comprised of six 2-minute raw exposures using an AP 130 F/6, unmodified Canon 350D, and IDAS LPS filter. Image calibration, stacking and digital development done in ImagesPlus. Nothing special, really. Light pollution is a problem from my location in the SF Bay Area.

Rob Mackie

December 22, 2005 12:50 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

M31 with AP Traveler and Canon 350D

Posted By Rob Mackie
Comprised of 20 3-minute raw images calibrated and processed using ImagesPlus. Severe light pollution gradients were a problem at my SF Bay Area location. Filtration done with IDAS LPS filter. I'm still low on the learning curve but am making progress.

Rob Mackie

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search