While out imaging two nights ago I noticed my subs were getting brighter and brighter. I looked up and saw the weirdest Aurora I've ever seen! Simply a band of undulating light (with green streaks) from the east to west horizon.

Of course this phenomenon just had to cut through the area I was imaging!

The rest of the sky looked relatively normal, per the last picture. However, it wasn't until I started processing images that I realized the whole sky was being impacted by GREEN Aurora. I'm currently attempting to salvage some of subs from my five targets that night...

All the images were shot w/ a Sony RX10 III, tripod mounted, 24mm, f/4, 10sec, ISO1600. All the Aurora images are panoramas of at least 2-3 images.

Enjoy!

bwa

I'm finding I have more options for grading, alignment, stacking with subs. The Live Stacking is really nice to see what you're getting and on occasion turns out great; however, if you have a few crappy subs, i.e.: star stretch, a mount hit, etc., the Live Stacking is toast.

I do Live Stacking on all my imaging sessions but also capture subs for later processing.

A couple of other notes:
- stick with LowGain (best image quality). MedGain and HighGain really lower image quality and introduce horizontal banding and star blooming problems.
- 1x1 binning is excellent for resolution. 2x2 binning helps sensitivity and reduces noise; binned color output works reasonably well.
- use the lowest cooler temperature possible. There is a huge difference in noise between even -10C and -20C.
- be sure to watch out for black and white image clipping; use the histogram
- getting a good white balance when Live Stacking is an art form!!
- 30 sec. subs with an f/5 scope works for every DSO
- if you're going to try Jupiter or Venus, you'll probably require a neutral density filter to allow a slow enough shutter speed.

Have fun!

bwa

I processed another set of data this evening and tried some new settings.
This set of data was a 2 minute video at 65 frames per second.
I stacked 45% of the captured frames for this shot with AutoStakkert!3.
I processed the TIFF file generated with Registax6 to adjust the wavelets boasting the center 2 channels to max and the next channels were brought up to 80% and 60%. Somewhat backwards from the usual suggested pattern.
I then finished by opening the processed shot in Photoshop and resized it by 2" and increasing the resolution to 156 dpi.
I cropped some of the extra sky for size and I hope it posts well here.
Jim

Oh, the Hubble is easy!
No processing, just enjoy.

In fact, it was one of my quandaries about pursuing Astrophotography. Why buy anything to do it yourself, when so much is a mouse click away?
Ultimately, obviously, I wanted to take my own images was the final answer. And I had you, and other Hedge Hogs helping me follow that dream.
With "bottom dweller" equipment.

One of my simple trophy shots....