nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

This is two nights of M81.

Plate solved with Astrotortillia (love this software)
Nikon D810a
SCT 10 Inch
Atlas Pro Mount
Baader IR/Cut Filter
AZI120MC guide Camera - Phd2
Backyard EOS for Nikon

123 Subs @ 240 seconds each - ISO 3200
50 darks
80 bias
150 flats

Average Temp for two nights 38 F

Took 10 images and let camera cool for 10 minutes ....did the same for darks as well.

Used Team Viewer to control imaging remotely.

Used DSS for Debayering, Registering, and Stacking - Pix Insight for Background Extraction, Background Neutralization, Color Calibration, Masked Histogram Stretch, Curves RBG for contrast, Curves (S) for color saturation...Saved as 16bit Tiff and opened in Photoshop CC. Used luminosity masks for selective structure, tonal, and luminosity adjustments.

Most important - finished watching Sons of Anarchy (great series) while staying up!

When I redo...and I will soon, I will shorten the exposure time to 120 seconds - raise ISO to 6400 - use 240 subs. I think I am on the right path...just not getting the detail that I think is there.

M81 Bodes Galaxy

(Download)

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

Amazing!!! Looking forward to seeing your next attempt.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Thanks for the post, and the camera gear and settings.
Wonderful picture. :thumbup:
Marion

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Very, very nice! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Now you need to move over and do it's neighbor: M82

chazz4623 Loc: Prairieville, La

Absolutely amazing! What a beautiful shot with amazing tracking and color.

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

I sure do! I have a 10 inch SCT on loan and need to give M82 a try while I have it.

Clouds have arrived - thanks to El Nino - Accuweather has forecast the next two weeks with either overcast or cloudy with some sun.

Thanks for the kind remarks!

SDB777 Loc: Edwards, AR USA

Are you getting too much noise from heat in camera, is that the reason for you wanting to go half the time and doubling the ISO?

Is the D810 capable of keeping the noise in check at that ISO level?(I ask because I've never owned a Nikon anything)



The 'workflow' is mind-numbing from my seat....you must have some kind of serious computing machine to handle those huge files. Or you're very patient...

Keep those awesome images coming!!! You are making me want to get a third job to start saving for another 'hobby'....






Scott (just need more time to work) B

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

No....the noise is manageable I just need more data (subs) the detail is ok but not there (I look at other images taken from other astro-imagers). If I go longer - I run out of time. So - I have two choices....up the ISO or buy more aperture. I plan to do both as the 10 inch F/3.9 Astrograph (newt and beast of an OTA) has been ordered.

The D810a does not have a heat reduction system. My converted D800e does and I can tell the difference. For that reason "a light went off" if I burn the sensor with 200 plus second exposures....what results will I get if I give the sensor a rest (in 35f degrees) and a chance to cool. I really do not know how to measure if it worked....but logic tells me that it can't hurt.

Computing power - I need more. I have a new IMAC for that. But, it takes 5 hours for DSS to do it's thing and longer for PixInsight. I go back and forth between programs.

I do need more BIAS frames if I continue to do this though...and probably more flats. Darks at 30 are probably good.

Ideally,

300 flats and 300 Bias - I think! I really don't think you can have enough of them. Craig Stark and I have been exchanging emails about this.....this was his advice. Craig has written some awesome software for astro imaging......PhD and Nebulosity and more!

He also thinks there is not too much more I can do using a DSLR. I differ and want to find out.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Beautiful Ed!

Sensor cooling was a big factor in me getting a CCD camera for my equipment. And no moving parts.

I think you are on the right track trying letting the sensor cool. Brings to mind high power rifle shooting with my Dad. Let the bore cool between shots.

And I applaud you trying to push beyond with your DSLR. You will find the threshold for your camera's. I can see something like an SBIG in your future.
A dedicated Astro Camera... Surrender to the Borg. :lol:

SOA, if you watch the credits you will see Gale Webster as the transportation captain. That's our Son-In-Law. ;) He worked as the transportation coordinator for the entire production.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

This is a beautiful processing job Ed.
Craig

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

Really nicely done.
What about M104?
Curious to see what that big 10 inch could do with that.
:)

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

No kidding! SOA rules! One of the best series I have watched. At my age....I will forget most of them and if I can remember, I plan to re-watch again...they are that good. In fact, at my age, I can plan my own surprise birthday party and really be surprised :)

SDB777 Loc: Edwards, AR USA

SOA?




Scott (I don't know the handshake either) B

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

I have never imaged 104. ...and not too sure why.

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

Sons of Anarchy. Great series.