California nebula

As promised I have had another go at the huge NGC1499. I sometimes wonder how something as huge as this never made the messier catalogue.
I have managed and hour and a half this time and think I have a much smoother result.

45 x 2 minute guided exposures at ISO 1600. No darks , flats or bias frames added , subtracted or divided. I just love the new JMI focusser. so simple and quick to auto focus. I have had a long day at work today. Just can't think of anything else to add. Goodnight all....

CHIPS

I am sure many people will remember the American tv programme CHIPS. Based on the Californian highway patrol motorcycle cops. Well I thought it was a good title for a post ha ha!!

Having spent most of the session imaging the wonderful Comet Hergenrother. I wanted to just have my first go at the huge California nebula NGC 1499 before closing up.

This image is very noisy as only 22 minutes were captured at ISO 1600. My 40D is unmodded so I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of red light captured. Also worth a session with the UHC filter too.  A target with good altitude for UK observers so I will definately revisit with some long exposure. Keep looking for the latest pics. I cant wait to see a difference. I was so pleased last year when I images the horsehead for the first time. A very smooth image with some fine detail was the result. shortcut to it here https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yUWG_b1MxqxKDpW1QfgK_NzPd_lrb4CaWiP1EfBa5ZZtaZeviBYKpWyLSVKw7iQYsQxIasCqc2FXrTZ6BsGgUveIJPOeBUciUfAI7PRGSUcWhsEgWVfbKdhMmTa1KpEn1gFWagxKv0Q/s1600/flame+horse+weirdcropped.jpg

Double Cluster In perseus

Object: NGC884 & 889

Type: Open Clusters

Distance: 7300Light Years

Constellation: Perseus

Date: 30th August 08

Equipment: William Optics Megrez 90 Canon EOS 40DSubframes: 19 x 30 second exposures unguided at ISO1600Processed: No darks or flats were captured. Processed in Images Plus 2.0 with a Moderate non linear stretch or DDP.Notes: Well for a few hours last night it was clear. Transparency good So I rolled back the roof and took a few images.
Having problems with PHD it just wanders off after about 20 seconds