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I agreeImaging telescopes or lenses: TPO 8" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph
Imaging cameras: Nikon D5100
Mounts: CGE Pro
Software: Sequence Generator Pro · PHD2 Guiding · Optec FocusLock (for ONAG) · PixInsight
Accessory: Optec TCF-S Focuser · Innovations Foresight On-axis guider · Starlight Xpress Lodestar X2
Dates:Jan. 4, 2019 , Jan. 5, 2019
Frames: 90x300" ISO800 bin 1x1
Integration: 7.5 hours
Darks: ~10
Flats: ~25
Bias: ~25
Avg. Moon age: 28.56 days
Avg. Moon phase: 1.31%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 6.00
Mean SQM: 18.50
Temperature: -1.00
Astrometry.net job: 2454533
RA center: 5h 41' 11"
DEC center: -2° 12' 21"
Pixel scale: 0.612 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: 91.023 degrees
Field radius: 0.484 degrees
Resolution: 1824x1185
Locations: Home Observatory - Vickburg, Vicksburg, Michigan, United States
Data source: Backyard
Not too often there is clear nights around new moon in West Michigan. So I went after a winter target I have been wanting to spend time on for eons. Classic target that has been imaged so many times it is hard to make it unique or standout from the best. But getting this done with my own equipment and processing skills is very rewarding. Such is astrophotography!
So a couple lessons learned:
- Need to mod the Nikon D5100 to get better QE at the h-alpha line! It records, but as seen here, it is muted. This will be a step soon taken since a new camera is down the road.
- Need to figure out how to get the Astrophysics CCDT67 into my imaging train. Since switching over to the D5100 from the ST2000XM I can see the distorted stars in the corner due to the Nikon's large chip. I am thinking I could put the CCDT67 into the nosepiece of the ONAG since I use a t-ring for a hard connection with the Nikon.
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