CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

I just barely caught this before it disappeared over the horizon.
I was only able to catch 2 lights that worked in the stack.
It's pretty poor with lots of light pollution.
This is my new Celestron Nightscape Camera with the Astro FX software.
It's shot at 2 Lights 120 sec. 10 bias, 10 Darks and no flats.
Let's not make to much fun of it. I promise I'll get better.

Orion Nebula

(Download)

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Great for a firsty-hasty-posty.
I know it will only get better!

Great to see you are out and getting about! :)

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Thank you Sonny I got all setup for the first time in over a month.
And yes as bad as that shot is I can only get better.
Do you know of a Camera Control program that I can use???
Craig

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I've been using a new one called SharpCap 2.8xxx
I fellow in Africa told me about it. It does find and recognize my cameras. And it runs them, so far flawlessly. Including the G3, SSAG, and Altair (Orion's eyepiece camera)
In fact, the other day I got RegiStax to stack some png files for the first time in my life. It was a blurry stack result. But by God, it stacked!
I could never say that about Orion's camera programs.
SharpCap is a free program. The guy from the Astronomy Shed in jolly old England does a lot of tutorials about it. (If you can understand his brogue)
I'm only beginning to use it, but I really like it so far. It is becoming my go-to camera program instead of using several.

SharpCap camera control software.

Even though my mount is set up, I've been too tired, and to disposed to do any observing lately. I was so exaushted from the flooring project that Fryday night I went to bed at 8:30 and virtually died until 8 the next day. I must have been really tired to do that.
Today was the first day I felt anywhere near back to normal for me.
And the skies have been odd as well. The moon seems to be blocking more stars than usual. :?
I might be able to get back into this coming week.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Thank you very much Sonny but I think it's for video only.
I need a program for FITS files.

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

If your are talking about a capture program download a free trial of Sequence Generator Pro, IMHO one of the most complete capture programs available, almost as inclusive as Maxim but much cheaper.

Matthew

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

In Googling, I find:

http://www.lightvortexastronomy.com/sequence-generator-pro.html -- some info about the product

http://www.mainsequencesoftware.com/Products/SGpro -- Sequence Generator Pro

The main program costs $99 but there is an addon for framing targets and producing mosaics that costs an extra $39. That is a sum total of $138 for a program that advertises to do absolutely everything.

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

Great start for your come back tour.
You might try running some video of Jupiter and stacking the video. You might surprise yourself.
Don't over do it and hurt yourself.
Your spousal support unit will render you in-operable.
(She'll tie your metal ridden A** to the bed.)
;)

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

Very good!

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Thank you to all for the thumbs up and to Jim H
for the suggestion on the software. I'll give it a good look.
To Albuq Jim I am in hot water with spouse for not sitting
down for longer periods. I don't do sitting very well.
Craig

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

I use SGP and find it much easier to use than Maxim with is another program that does it all. The Framing and Mosaic wizard add-on is definitely worth the $40 extra. It shows you the size of the object compared to your sensor size so you can frame it up easily. It has a focus routine that is extremely accurate and easy to use.

All in all its a little complex to begin but we'll worth it. IMHO Not sure if it will read your camera but it should have a list on their website Jim posted.

Pros
It allows installation on 3 computers

Auto meridian flip

Use of plate solving for centering and syncing mount.

Uses PHD2 for guiding

Can setup multiple targets and run autonomously from one target to the next.

Can automatically take calibration frames

Can utilize target planning software to pick targets based on the best viewing.

Controls both DSLRs and CCDs, at least all the ones I have tried.

Cons

Confusing at first till all the menus are understood.

Not free

Object database needs a bit of work, like if target is Ha dominant or if RGB is sufficient.

No processing ability

HTH
Matthew

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

Opps

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Thank you very much Matthew I am going to give it a serious look.
It sounds like what I'm looking for.
Craig

CathyAnn Loc: Apache Junction, AZ

I don't understand all of the terminology except for the words, "Celestron", Orion Nebula, and maybe a couple of others, but this photo is stunning to me. I always make a B-line to this section of UHH to see the latest pics. Fascinating! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Hello Cathy and welcome to the Astro Forum, we are a small group here and always look forward to newcomers posting.
If you have a question about anything please ask we love to answer even if we just make something up. :lol:
Thank you very much for your compliment.
There are lots great post here to look at and comment on.
Craig