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Posts Made By: Larry Durst

August 17, 2006 05:23 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

SX Guider Advice Anyone?

Posted By Larry Durst
My previous night out I had no trouble getting 10 minute subs with
my SX Guider: mount/guide scope was 8" LX90 @ f/3.3, piggyback scope
was Zenithstar 66SD at prime f/5.9. My guide head is still finicky
and will resort to these all snowed out and other funky images at
times. But other than that, was working fine. I have been finding
that just going with the calibration settings works very well.

Last night I tried shooting through the LX90 (f/6.3) and using the
ZS66 to guide for the first time. I have been warned that's much
harder. But when I did my calibration in AstroArt3 it went through
the routine then replied "telescope speed less than .5" and set the
X and Y speeds to 9.5. I attempted to use those speeds which was
almost a flat line for a minute or two, then just ran away. I could
not find settings that worked, even going down to .5 on each. I
also tried using a barlow per Lance's advice, but couldn't come up with stars or really
even focus when it was in place. Probably just didn't try long enough.

Of course, it could have been periodic error or random error or bad
balance, but was wondering if anyone had hints on how they handle
settings for such different scopes.

All this while I had a wonderful framing of the Bubble!

Thanks in advance,
Larry

August 19, 2006 03:24 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M31--The Andromeda "Strain" (reposted after tweaking)

Posted By Larry Durst
I really "strained" to process this one and get any detail at all. For something so big and close and bright it really is a struggle. ZS66SD with MX716. L=22x120s, RGB 10x60s each binned 2x2. Processed in AstroArt3 including DDP and log stretch.
Thanks for any comments and suggestions (I really could use help figuring out this galaxy!),
Larry
http://www.freewebs.com/drivewayastronomy/galaxies.htm

October 16, 2006 03:07 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

New Bubble-First Image in a Whle

Posted By Larry Durst
Hi All,
While I've certainly been keeping up with everyone's amazing images lately, a quick check of my notebook showed I hadn't had my scope out since August. Finally got back to the driveway on Saturday and quickly broke my own rule of "one night, one subject." Here is the first of the evening, a wide field Bubble: 73x60s, ZS66SD, MX716, Schuler Ha filter.

http://www.freewebs.com/drivewayastronomy/latestimages.htm

Thanks for looking, and any comments more than welcome!

Larry

October 23, 2006 08:48 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M45 LRGB

Posted By Larry Durst
Hi All,
I am really struggling with this one, perhaps even 30 second subs are too long for these stars. It's just 10/5/5/5 LRGB. ZS 66 SD and MX716. Color aligned and combined in AstroArt 3. The stars are quite bloated, plus I couldn't remove all of the gradient on the right. Any suggestions are very welcome.
My original plan for the night was to go for M15 in color, but lost it behind trees before getting the RGB--way too much time playing with my guider. So I turned to this at the end of the evening to try and salvage something. Photo attached, or:
http://www.freewebs.com/drivewayastronomy/latestimages.htm
Regards,
Larry

October 23, 2006 09:03 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Any opinions on Orion Atlas Mount?

Posted By Larry Durst
In the interest of playing with new equipment yet not spending the kids' future education, I am thinking of getting an Orion Atlas EQ6. I am also thinking of selling my LX90 to fund a portion of it. Which means I'd also have to get a second scope imaging/guide for the Atlas
to use with a Zenithstar 66. Perhaps another small refractor or less expensive Newtonian--I would lose the long focal length, but at this point my LX90 has become a mount for the ZS66, plus an occasional visual scope (rare though that is).
Would love to hear a) any experience with the Atlas and b) opinions on how ludicrous this plan might be. Camera is Stalight Xpress MX716.
Thanks for all ideas,
Larry

November 10, 2006 09:08 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

California Nebula in Ha

Posted By Larry Durst
Hi All,
A nice evening and new guider setup and this NGC1499 was one result (still have an IC1848 to process). 24x300seconds in Ha. MX716 and ZS66SD with Meade 6.3 FR. Guiding was through an LX90 at f/3.3 with a DSI Pro and K3CCDTools. Acquired, median combined in AstroArt3; histograms and curves in PixInsight LE, final High Pass filter in AA3. Any suggestions definitely welcome.
Thanks,
Larry

November 11, 2006 04:06 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

IC1848 The Soul Nebula

Posted By Larry Durst
Here's a portion of the Soul Nebula (close by the Heart) shot earlier on the same evening as my previous NGC1499. I was more timid in my guide times for the first outing with the new guider--only 3 minute subs and it shows. Much more noise and harder to smooth without losing the highlights(also I think my focus was softer--can't really make up for that!). 25x180s in Ha, ZS66SD and MX716. Thanks for looking.
Larry

November 16, 2006 01:55 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

"Times Square Reflection Nebula" OT and <g>

Posted By Larry Durst
It's not often that we amateurs get to make an astronomical discovery.
Here's my story:
I drive home along the New Jersey side of the Hudson River each night, with one of the more spectacular views around (also what causes me some severe light gradients in my backyard not too far away!). The other evening I had to pull over to capture this "reflection nebula." Mind you, there are those New Yorkers who, cosmologically speaking,
claim this spot to be the precise center of the universe!

Camera: Samsung (my cell phone)
Exposures: 1 x very, very fast
Mount: My unsteady left arm
Processing: There wasn't a filter I tried that seemed to improve this one

I hope you enjoy,
Larry

November 16, 2006 05:09 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Congrats Warren on Image of the Day

Posted By Larry Durst
Nice going Warren--your amazing M81 is truly deserving of Image of the Day!
Regards,
Larry

November 26, 2006 07:02 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M33

Posted By Larry Durst
Shot this over the weekend. And now see how much more time it needs. 25x240seconds before losing it behind the trees in my yard. I also plan to add color when I get out next.
William Optics ZS66SD with Meade 6.3 FR
Starlight Xpress MX716
Aquired in AstroArt3, median combined, flat fielded and hi pass filter in AA3, histogram, curves and SBGNR noise reduction on background in PixInsight LE.
How does it look on your monitor? I've been "playing" to my darkest monitors (HP flat screen and older CRT) but it leaves the background quite light on my laptop where I do my work.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions,
Larry

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