Additional Equipment - M31

After much trial and error, I found that the types of pictures I wanted to take were not very possible without some autoguiding.

I got the Orion Autoguider package, which is basically an 80mm scope mounted to the imaging scope and a autoguider camera.   It took a while to setup, mainly because I didn't read the docs until after I had the scope setup and aligned.  The skys here haven't been very dark, so last night was my first chance to try out the autoguider.

the above picture is one 5 minute 1600 iso image, one 2 minute 1600 iso, and one 3 minute 800 iso, stacked together.. That was not my intention..  After setting up, getting the autoguider to autoguide and taking test shots to find the best combination of exposure/iso, my mount's power flickered and at 3:30 am, I didn't feel like starting over, so I stacked the best of the test shots.

Initial Picture - Not a true attempt, just equipment and software check.

2010-08-28
Unknown area
20 10-sec exposures
EOS XTi
6" Orion Imaging Newtonian

First night

First night was more of a systems check to make sure everything works as intended than anything else.  I still don't know what I'm doing, lotsa reading to do.


Equipment:

• CG-5GT Goto Mount
• Orion 6in. f/5.0 Newtonian Imaging Reflector OTA
• Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi /400D SLR Camera
• Tube Rings, 182mm ID
•  Zero Profile Camera Adapter 2"
• SkyGlow Imaging Filter - 2"
• T-Ring for Canon EOS SLR or DSLR Cameras
• Canon Remote Switch RS60 E3

Software:

• Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended
• DeepSkyStacker

Setup took roughly 15 minutes, included very inaccurate polar alignment and 2-star alignment using CG-5's internal software.  Shooting took place after pointing at Vega(as you can see from the picture in the next post, I was not truly aligned, I don't even think Vega is in there, just wanted a quick reference point that I could return the lens to after each exposure).

Camera was mounted on t-ring and I began shooting 20 10-sec exposures at ISO 800.

After that I shot 10 10-sec darks with the dustcap on the scope. ISO 800.

Then I shot 10 Bias frames at 1/4000 shutter speed. ISO 800

Moved everything back inside, stretched a white tshirt over the scope opening, pointed it at the ceiling light and shot 10 Flat frames in Av mode.

Moved RAW images to PC, registered, stacked and processed in DSS.

Moved processed file to PS and followed this Tutorial - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9MeGLiAk9A&p=1EA349A70CEB7265&index=1&playnext=5

Completed picture isn't pretty, but it proves that everything works.  Pic in next post.