SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Don't know why, just did search in Stellarium, then went and imaged the Ring Nebula.

Things went a bit wonky with the camera program, so I spent most of my time fiddling with it. I finally figured that out about the time I called it a night. Always learning and fixing in this sport.

So the Ring Nebula, it was almost at the apex of the Meridian and Prime Vertical when I started. Later, I had to do a Meridian flip and restart of PHD2 because I've forgotten how to flip it in PHD2. So the purest reset is to close and restart PHD2, for me. Then suffer it aligning itself. PITA. If anybody has any pointers for PHD2, I'm all ears.

So here is my Ring Nebula, first as taken, second after my dabbling.
Feel free to download for your own use to post process.

Ring Nebula 15 - 25s - 375s

(Download)

Ring-Nebula-15---25s---375s-w

(Download)

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

You did very well. It's a challenge getting such a small object without a fair amount of focal length, but you did.

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

Wow, that’s incredible with such little time. Great job.

Dan Copeland Loc: Hamilton Ontario Canada

What did you use to capture it size of scope and camera used? I did one a few months ago using a 5 inch scope and olympus camera

Good capture

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Thanks All!

Dan, I use an Orion ED80T CF telescope, and an Infinity Astro Camera.

When researching how to image DSO (Deep Space Objects), Nebula, I came to the conclusion I needed a telescope more like a camera lens. So a refractor was my choice, and it requires very little in the way of maintenance. Although the focuser failed in the 1 year warranty period.
I have also used my Nikon D3300 mounted to the telescope for both daytime land imaging, and some space imaging. But the sensor in my DSLR gives very widefield images. And I was afraid I would kill it doing my space imaging.

The Infinity is my second Astro Camera. A great friend offered to loan it to me, then sold it to me after proven success with it.
My first astro camera was horrible. Several Friends here tried to work with the files from it.

The Infinity comes with downloadable software to run it, and I store my images on a 120 gig micro card in my Baby Dell, my "at the mount computer."
I'm a hands on guy. I tend to try things and learn that way. So I tend to try different exposure times, and do a small amount of tweaking with the controls in the program, which are pretty basic and simple. Perfect for me.

Anyway, I like to take pictures of stuff I can't see. So I decided to chase Nebula as my interest. I blame The Great Orion Nebula for dragging me into this.
It's like Macro, but in the Sky.

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

Speaking of, I never used my ED80T focuser, I put a moonlight, so if you ever want a spare, I have one. It’s just collecting dust.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I'll keep it in mind, Thanks!

Do you have your ED80T mounted in rings? I thought I saw that, and was wondering what they were.
I've always wanted something better than the OEM foot.

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

Yes I bought William Optics rings. Man these things are expensive, but I figured it was worth it.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Thanks! I'll look into them.
I have some other W.O. stuff, a diagonal. And it is top notch!
It was pricey at the time, but I wanted photographic quality.

OK. BAM! Ordered the rings. Agena Astro has them in stock. Free shipping. Local stock (Cerritos, CA)

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

Yes, very true, you get what you pay for.

stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast

I agree 100% with Brian , "TUBE RINGS" on a dovetail bar gives your telescope the stability for imaging . There's nothing in this hobby that doesn't come without a price tag{a man can go broke thinking up things to buy" just to give the rig something else that has to be checked, cleaned and tested before imaging.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Looks like you are getting good focusing and nice round stars. And it looks like your processing has come up a notch. Good work.

The Ring Nebula is one of my favorite objects. For comparison, here is one I took using my Explore Scientific 102ed (FL = 714mm) with an Olympus EM5ii camera (micro 4/3). It is from a stack of 60sec images at ISO 1600. I used DSS to stack.

Unfortunately, my life has gotten busy and I don't find much time to get out with the telescope and camera, and I miss it a lot.

(Download)

Marc G Loc: East Grinstead, West Sussex, England

Nice work matey & yes your processing has certainly improved

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Hi Jim, Good to see you! Thank You!
I just let the Atik software do the "heavy lifting" of stacking. It does much better than my attempts. So the Infinity is a great camera for me.

I built my own focuser using plans from a fellow in Britain, Tekky Dave. It's an Arduino based control. And computer based. Perfect for me and my remotest tendencies.
With the long focuser of my telescope (630 mm) it has over 23,000 steps of movement. Dividing it out, each step is 0.02739 mm in reach. Far more minute than my somewhat shaky fingers could adjust.
There are times where I can find a difference in single steps in my picturds. But I tend to adjust, or check with my Bahtinov Mask once, then just run with it. My patience is only so long....
And I'm typically only good for a few hours before I find myself nodding off, even outside.
But the electronic focuser has been another quantum leap for me.

Now, with scope rings on my aftermarket Vixen Bar (Solid 6061 Aluminum) I think I stepped up stability a notch. Brian (Europa) shown me the way with his ED80T CF. He changed to a focuser with an electronic stepper, (Moonlite ???) and it negated the typical foot Orion put on these. (Orion's method had about 1 square inch of support attached to the OEM focuser assembly.) The Williams Optics Scope Rings are rock solid for the tube. As long as my focuser remains solid, I should be golden for stability, for now.
I'm progressing like an inchworm over years of learning.

In the past few weeks our Sister-in-Law was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in a breast and her liver. Kind of readjusts your priorities between working and enjoying life. Kind of a sudden smack in the face of reality. There is no treatment at this point.
My Brother-in-Law said when she comes home from a Cruise with their youngest son that she has planned and been so looking forward to, that he thinks it is time for a road trip.
I suggested to the wife we load up in our RV and get out there, if Ann would like to, of course. Just go.
No time prognosis yet. But the Daughter (CCRN) sez probably 4-6 months.
I'm at a point where I want to completely retire, and relax. It's time to live the last days, not work them.
We bought our 2000 Coachmen RV for retirement. It has hardly been used. But I and the BIL could drive, my wife could give comfort care, and we could go see a few places.

I will be 70 next March. Soon I may give up long distance traveling. I already refuse most trips my wife wants to go on (Cruises and such). I enjoy my dog and being home tinkering on my boat and telescope.
(And my beer. ) I'm glad to let her go with the family on cruises, or anything she'd like.
And she is happy to put up with me.
So Jim, try and not spend your life chasing the all mighty dollar, and take some time for your interests, too. None of us know how much time we may have.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Thank You, Marc!
I still do very minimal (from my end) processing. I use Adobe Elements 12 I bought years ago, and mostly try the Automatic adjustments.
But once in a while, I dabble with the controls. As with the Infinity program as well, if I don't like what I am seeing.
Very amateurish.