M71 & M27

Last night was the second opportunity to capture some light with the new astro camera. Time for some tests after plenty of reading on the different and optimum settings for gain, exposure and time and balancing that with my scope size and focal length. So we have 2 images M71 & M27. M71 a wonderful globular cluster in Sagitta. Exposure time was 15 x 3 minute exposures with gain at 0 to take advantage of the full well depth 50ke and 16 bit. Readout noise is below detection when cooled to -15. I am happy to play for a few months in Mono before unleashing the filters. M27 was set to 5 minute exposures and here just six of them for 30 minutes of total exposure. A crop too of approx 400%

M27 The Dumbell Nebula

I never get bored of the Dumbell Nebula. I love the way it just floats there in the cosmic abyss. It was the first planetary Nebula discovered by Charles Messier in 1764 so not a lot has changed in the last 250 years or so. In 1970, its velocity was estimated at 31 km per second giving an expansion of about  2.3" per century. 

My equipment is still quite new to me so getting used to things more each session. However guiding tonight was erratic at just over 1' RMS.  I am hoping to start on the new observatory soon still though deciding on the design.

M27.

After capturing some swan nebula data. I refocussed and aimed high to the ever enigmatic Dumbell nebula.

 

5 x 20 sub frames, calibrated in axim DL and photoshop processed has produced a nice image with good colour. Unfortunatly I do not have full dome automation and closed the shutter and went to bed at 2.30 am. I am sure a revisit for some more data to add wouldn't go amiss.

New versus Old

I forgot I took these when setting up and testing the new scope and CCD. Approx 40 minutes exposure from each camera of the lovely M27

Canon to the left                                                                                                                           Starlight to the Right

M 27 The Dumbell Nebula

An old favourite was captured a few nights ago. I was testing the focus setup on maxim using the v curve to autofocus. It took about 10 minutes and settles on a focus mark. I ran the same set up to capture Stephans quintet too. I was more than pleased with the result. 2 minute exposures taken here at Iso 1600. a massive crop here shows the pin point stars.

 

M27 The Dumbell Nebula

Object: Dumbbell Nebula M27
Type: Planetary Nebula
Constellation: Velpecula
Date: 30 May 09 01.30am
Equipment: William Optics Megrez 90 Canon EOS 40D guided usin 66mm William Optics refractor & Atik 16IC camera.
Subframes: 1 x 8 minute exposures at ISO800, 1 x 8 minute dark, Bias & light frame calibrated
Stacked: by Deep Sky Stacker.
Processed: In Images Plus 3.75 with a DDP stretch.

Notes: This is the first opportunity to guide using my new Atik 16IC camera. I was able to guide using what I estimate to be a 9th Mag star. I am seeing a much better signal to noiseratio by generating a longer exposure rather than 16 x 30 seconds. I look foward to future tests.

M27 The Dumbell Nebula

This is the first image from my new Canon EOS40d DSLR
A 30 second exposure ISO 1600 through a Celestron 9.25" Schmidt-Cassegrain with XLT coatings.
STUNNING STUNNING STUNNING what more can I say.
This image is unprocessed. I cant wait to stack a couple of dozen images.