Well done...I appreciate the honest, casual approach to your efforts. As a beginner also, the equipment utilized, the "trial & error" viewings, and settings utilized are appreciated. Nice that you explain and talk us through EVERYTHING....good job....I'm waiting in USA NH for the next video in your series.
I enjoy your series of vids a lot. They show that if you stick with it, obstacles can be turned into learning experiences. Also it is great that so many peeps are willing and eager to help you succeed.
Well, you kept me glued to the video. I wanted to get a Celestron NexStar 8 SE telescope a few years ago, but I couldn’t justify it for lack of time to use it properly, like you said, you need to get to know what you are doing. But now I can sit back and watch you and learn the basics, and one day maybe get one myself. Brilliant video, Thanks, and keep up the good work.
Amazing, you totally lost me after only 3 minutes with the Techno Stuff, you have an awesome set-up Rick !, but I just can’t stop watching and wishing I could set-up a system such as you have. Maybe you could do an in depth video on the complete setup from a beginners point of view with regards to software/hardware etc. Thank you for introducing me into a new hobby, you now need to help me and everyone else to repeat/copy what you have done in order to enjoy this new found hobby further. And I agree with Sean Cameron...you really should do this as a LIVE stream...weekly maybe, that would be so interesting to watch.
Agree on this. Deep sky astrophotography can be extremely confusing for beginners and there aren't too many tutorials of where and how to begin with, especially having in mind all the different possible rig set-ups out there. Enjoyed the video too, by the way, so thank you Rick!
Rick, amazing video. Not boring at all. I could watch you do this all night. Fantastic photo at the end there. Nice work. You have given me GAS once again.
I can watch this all day. your setup is absolutely epic and I wish I can have this at home too. maybe in a few years when I can afford it but this is a must-have for me.
It was very enjoyable to watch. Although I would have loved to see all the images you took, not just some. A little reward for watching the setup of the photo. :)
great video Rick nice to see you back very informative good to see you using your grey matter and also liking the Larp vids mate all the best . . . . Bri .
Loved the vid - very envious of the set up as its exactly what I've fantasied about doing! Thanks for taking us along for the ride - have watched it twice now! - Would watch another any day. I'll second those who have said you should live stream! (its a little easier for someone in NZ as your night is my day!) Cant wait to see some shots of the planets as they get higher in the sky.
No sweat I'll get looking. I'm just up the road in across the border so won't be much different if any. I just wanted to say a big thank you. I was just getting into growing veg so my daughter would eat more when you first got your allotment and watched all your episodes, just under 100 if memory serves me right. At the time your passion and trials and tribulations inspired me and I got more and more involved, studying relentlessly for more efficient techniques borrowing ideas from books, online and many RUclips growers. I am now at a point now where we have built 4 community allotment sites and gardens, my own plot is like a research area testing multiple growing methods and varieties and we are soon to be building a commercial urban farm and plant nursery. I think if ricks allotment series was not on at that right time then it would probably been a hobby that fizzled out. so again I just wanted to say a big thanks to you for changing my life and career. I miss those allotment videos. I think you were a lot better at it than you gave yourself credit for but you moved on to new things. All the best rick. when it's all built and up and running your invite will be on its way.
Thanks for the kind comments. Great to hear the allotment videos were so useful, & glad they inspired. Sound's like you've taken it all to a pretty awesome next-level. Good luck with your future endevours :o)
Love your videos, please keep them coming! Getting quite a few useful tips etc. from them, and also I like your style of presentation, you seem like a nice bloke! Cheers, Phil, Salisbury.
I just took my first pics a month ago . Very exciting. Please do more like this . I enjoyed all the before and after stuff. A guide scope with guide camera and PHD guiding will solve all your problems . Clear skys 😃
Great video Rick , love your presentation style, very calm and confident. I like your setup, you seem to have Stellarium and BackyardEOS working well together. Look forward to more from you, I've picked up some good tips. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Ric, great video as usual, interesting how you got your setup in the back garden, not something I could take to but i do like all your vids, you do make them so interesting, luv ya camping vids I'm a caravanner myself and great when your out and about, keep vloging 😎
Really enjoyed your video!! Very nice observatory you have too :) Want to build one to myself some time in the future, or maybe as long as I live in my apartment I will practice on the balcony :)
This video was a great watch, I have been doing AP myself for 2yrs and luv'd the honesty in this video, some nights everything is good and some nights nothing goes to plan, but as your final image shows its worth all the effort. GL with your AP and I hope to see more of your vids. Thx Paul PS - If you could show a full screenshot of the photos as you take them, it would be a even better experience for us viewers, but still very enjoyable to watch.
I honestly wish there were more videos like this! Its really nice to see that other people struggle with the same problems as i do at night. Also your setup is so cool!
Just getting into this subject. For me it is a great example of the practicalities and demonstrates the iterations required to get a shot. Like you set up!! Would be good to see more.
With a scope of that long focal length on that mount you need perfect polar alignment and will have to start guiding for longer exposure. You have to get deeper into the rabbit hole ;-)
Get a guide scope/camera, the Orion star shoot guider is a good one to start with. Also the QHY polemaster is a big help for polar alignment, it works super easy too.
The Canon 1300d has live view. Set the camera to this mode and then you can focus the telescope without the need to take multiple shots to obtain the focus point when using the mask. As you thought, with the weight of the DSLR on the back you need to re-balance the the scope in all axis. Balancing is a requirement and depends which side of the mount the scope is pointing. Getting the balance right will reduce the chances of star trails. - for best results use a guide scope and camera, with PHD and do guided exposures of 3 - 5 minutes, but even with your snap shots you're getting results - well done.
What may be useful is Sampling 360 degrees and inclination in a set location in your back yard where you normally keep the scope and log what part of the sky is visible above buildings . So you would have a graphic of degrees north south east west and inclination angle that clears a sky view. Now you could make a custom ground back drop in stelarium so you now know what sky is always visible.
Some tips: objects like the Wizard nebula and Heart and Soul nebula will still not or barely be visible with the current setup, you need a more narrowbanded filter for that and in your case it will matter if your camera is sensitive enough for H-alpha (maybe if your camera is ha modified or recent model), better stick to brighter objects... You can't take long exposures because your setup is still unguided. Start learning to take flat images now. (and not forget to keep the camera untouched between the light and the flat exposures) You can take take dark frames after the session. Some objects I suggest are M17 Omega, M3, Veil nebula, M97, M57 Ring nebula, Draco triplet, M13, NGC6888 Crescent (the last one may be to faint, but just try anyway)
For me this was very enjoyable to watch Rick. Very relaxing, I wouldn't want to watch the same over and over so maybe mix it up with other subjects other than than terrific :)
Nice setup, Rick! Notwithstanding the fact that Arcturus (and similar stars) is incredibly large, it's even more mindbogglingly remote. Your telescope, actually just about any telecope, can not see any detail on its surface. Where your telescope shows a blob a few pixels wide instead of a single point, it's caused by disturbances in the atmosphere (or perhaps by focussing, but you'd just been focussing it before, so I guess it's the atmosphere). There are some interesting reads to be found on how large professional obervatories manage to eke out just the tiniest a hint of detail from complex observations of the very largest stars.
Hi Rick yes i liked your video it was very interesting ... love your set up . ... I was camping the other week end and had my telescope with me plus my cannon 70 D with t ring etc adapter , for the first time connected my camera i found i needed to buy another piece , the camera was just out of focus and had no more focus control........ I found when camping the dew on eye pieces can be a bit annoying not sure if you have found that too. I hope you will show us your results with your stacked photo editing .... Regards Christie
This is exactly what a hobby is all about !...getting things right....eventually, and taking some fantastic shots, even if your'e not too sure how :-) Great Stuff Rick.
Great job Rick. Time to invest in a guide scope and guide camera! Get nice long exposures and you will get a TON of detail and color! Love the vids! Keep them coming.
Lots of fun watching thank you! A guidescope would allow you to have no trials, not sure if you have one by now but they're not that expensive and well worth it. cheers!
I would recommend a guide scope and a good quality guide camera. Phd 2 software, and maybe a qhy polarmaster to tell align to polaris .Great video by the way, and a fantastic setup.
You absolutely have to use a Guide scope with PHD2 unless your mount is in the $$$$$$$ price and still you need to guide on a star....anything past 30 seconds.and you polar alignment has to be bang on...
any slight breeze can cause a slight wobble, so you get a perfect star mixed with star trails, also blurring could be dew on nthe scope lens so maybe invest in a dew heater, i avoided the NEQ5 mount as i knew the weight of the setup would outlay the mount soon and grabbed an NEQ6...which you sound like you need soon, then you need a 80mm scope for tracking ...also your star if its directly above, there can be some play on the cogs, only tiny like 100th of a mil but on the exposure it creates a streak. i used to always stick with ISO 800 or 1200.
Rick ! I like riding along with you. Post more videos like this. It's not boring! One suggestion. When you edit the videos, you might want to insert the final stacked image you came up with so we can see the results.
Rick, it's a great image given the light polluted condition and only ~30m worth of total integration. If your camera's read noise is high, then adding a guider would certainly help since you'll be able to increase your exposure time for more signal to noise. But if your camera's read noise is low, you can get by with short exposures. You just need to stack a lot of them. Total integration time is what really matters (besides getting out of light polluted cities of course). If you can, try to have a total integration time of 2hr+ for each of your targets, and you'll see a much improved image quality. Another target I want to suggest is M13. It's high on the sky right now and is quite light pollution friendly. Cheers and clear skies! P.S. Please do make more of these videos. I think they're awesome. Love the nice chilling atmosphere.
fun - but time for a guider and PHD2. I'm new to this too, my nexdome arrives next week. I've been out shooting about 7 times. I didnt' like the 30 second limitation non guided, but phd2 scared me. Still I set it up and 5-10 minute exposures easy now.
Hi Rick, You mentioned that you get stat trails when the telescope points in certain directions. I may have an answer to solve this problem. You will need to implement what is known as "East-Side-Heavy". When your mount it set up the North Leg is pointing North. If the telescope is on the East side you need to make the telescope more heavy by pushing the counter weights in slightly. If the counter weights are on the East Side you need to move the counter weights out making the weights more heave. This balance offset will allow the drive gear of your stepper motor to be in constant mesh. When you move your telescope without using East-Side-Heave there are times when the drive gear is not in mesh due to "Gear Slop" and star trails result. To get accurate long exposures you need to use East-Side-Heavy and an Autoguider. The Autoguider will send signals to your mount to speed up and slow your mount down to give perfect tracking giving good exposures of 3 to 5 minutes. Another item to consider is Periodic Error Correction (PEC), this is explained in your SysScan handbook and will help getting good star alignment. PEC records to inaccuracies of the internal drive of your mount and will adjust the speed of your mount to speed up or slow down when the inaccuracies occur; PEC can be used without Autoguiding, Hope this helps.
Really enjoyed this video. I'm into astrophotography and would love to have a set up like you have in the space shed, lol. You deffo need to get polar aligned better if you're not auto guiding though. That's why the object in the West was giving longer star trails as that part of the sky moves much faster than the Northern part of the sky. Also depending on which direction the mount approached the dumbell nebula, if you start tacking a test shot too soon, the tracking motor may still be taking up the backlash. I think if you would have taken another image after waiting a minute, the trailing would not have been as bad. Keep the good work up and clear skies :)
Very nice Observatory it looks like your in the International Space Station. I think I'll try the silver padded insulation lining and the lighting colors.
I have to say Rick, I do envy your ability to get to grips with all your various technology .... I can't even successfully edit basic videos ..... #AARRGGHH!! :-)
I was last into this 50 years ago and got freezing cold looking through an eleven inch reflecting telescope. It looks more comfortable sitting in a warm shed with the telescope outside.
![Lil Uzi Vert - Chill Bae [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/D7F42F_JM3U/mqdefault.jpg)
Really enjoyable. You've created space command center right there in your backyard, great job. I enjoyed sitting beside you.
I find your ability to take a 'hobby' or interest to its max VERY inspiring! Rare talent.
great video, I myself have just got into astronomy and thoroughly enjoy it, when weather and work permit.
Please keep making these astro videos.
Well worth the time and effort building the observatory Rick.Relaxing to watch as usual.Keep 'em coming.
superb , did enjoy . keep up the good work and a very merry christmas to you.
GREAT video even 3 years later. Keep them coming. I am just starting to research this type of photography. Thank you
Great video. I'm about a year into astrophotography so it's always good to see someone else's setup and process
I could watch these all night brother....Great Shot!!!!!
Well done...I appreciate the honest, casual approach to your efforts. As a beginner also, the equipment utilized, the "trial & error" viewings, and settings utilized are appreciated. Nice that you explain and talk us through EVERYTHING....good job....I'm waiting in USA NH for the next video in your series.
Enjoyed it! Great image to end it all with too. Very envious of your set up!
I enjoy your series of vids a lot. They show that if you stick with it, obstacles can be turned into learning experiences. Also it is great that so many peeps are willing and eager to help you succeed.
Please make more! I am re-watching them all now a second time.
Thanks for sharing Rick that was a lot of fun to watch! You should do more videos like that one.
Fantastic video, thanks for making it and sharing. I share your frustration with deciding what to image. Very informative.
Well, you kept me glued to the video.
I wanted to get a Celestron NexStar 8 SE telescope a few years ago, but I couldn’t justify it for lack of time to use it properly, like you said, you need to get to know what you are doing.
But now I can sit back and watch you and learn the basics,
and one day maybe get one myself.
Brilliant video, Thanks, and keep up the good work.
Amazing, you totally lost me after only 3 minutes with the Techno Stuff, you have an awesome set-up Rick !, but I just can’t stop watching and wishing I could set-up a system such as you have. Maybe you could do an in depth video on the complete setup from a beginners point of view with regards to software/hardware etc. Thank you for introducing me into a new hobby, you now need to help me and everyone else to repeat/copy what you have done in order to enjoy this new found hobby further. And I agree with Sean Cameron...you really should do this as a LIVE stream...weekly maybe, that would be so interesting to watch.
Agree on this. Deep sky astrophotography can be extremely confusing for beginners and there aren't too many tutorials of where and how to begin with, especially having in mind all the different possible rig set-ups out there. Enjoyed the video too, by the way, so thank you Rick!
Love this video, Rick! I've watched it 3 or 4 times. I have visions of a rig like yours in my future. Please make another video like this.
Rick, amazing video. Not boring at all. I could watch you do this all night. Fantastic photo at the end there. Nice work. You have given me GAS once again.
You really should live stream these nights, It’s fascinating
I may be a year late but I second this
Quiet Wanderer yeah it’s kinda relaxing too
Pro tip : watch series on Flixzone. I've been using them for watching a lot of movies lately.
@Dallas Gannon Definitely, I've been using Flixzone for since november myself :)
I'm not that into Astronomy, but I found the tone of this video soothing.
yeah, same here. I sometimes watch Rick just to get relaxed.
I can watch this all day. your setup is absolutely epic and I wish I can have this at home too. maybe in a few years when I can afford it but this is a must-have for me.
Smooth narration of this video is experience it self. Really great video.
It was very enjoyable to watch. Although I would have loved to see all the images you took, not just some. A little reward for watching the setup of the photo. :)
great video Rick nice to see you back very informative good to see you using your grey matter and also liking the Larp vids mate all the best . . . . Bri .
The Stacked Photo finished is AWESOME... great job Rick!
This video was not dull. Was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
Hi Rick, A brilliant vid, more like this please, most enjoyable.
Loved the vid - very envious of the set up as its exactly what I've fantasied about doing! Thanks for taking us along for the ride - have watched it twice now! - Would watch another any day. I'll second those who have said you should live stream! (its a little easier for someone in NZ as your night is my day!) Cant wait to see some shots of the planets as they get higher in the sky.
Nice update Rick, Thanks for doing that for us.
The final photo was very nice Rick. Well done.
Sandy
No sweat I'll get looking. I'm just up the road in across the border so won't be much different if any. I just wanted to say a big thank you. I was just getting into growing veg so my daughter would eat more when you first got your allotment and watched all your episodes, just under 100 if memory serves me right. At the time your passion and trials and tribulations inspired me and I got more and more involved, studying relentlessly for more efficient techniques borrowing ideas from books, online and many RUclips growers. I am now at a point now where we have built 4 community allotment sites and gardens, my own plot is like a research area testing multiple growing methods and varieties and we are soon to be building a commercial urban farm and plant nursery. I think if ricks allotment series was not on at that right time then it would probably been a hobby that fizzled out. so again I just wanted to say a big thanks to you for changing my life and career. I miss those allotment videos. I think you were a lot better at it than you gave yourself credit for but you moved on to new things. All the best rick. when it's all built and up and running your invite will be on its way.
Thanks for the kind comments. Great to hear the allotment videos were so useful, & glad they inspired. Sound's like you've taken it all to a pretty awesome next-level. Good luck with your future endevours :o)
Love your videos, please keep them coming! Getting quite a few useful tips etc. from them, and also I like your style of presentation, you seem like a nice bloke! Cheers, Phil, Salisbury.
Most definitely could stand to see another vid like this one! Carry on Rick!
I just took my first pics a month ago . Very exciting. Please do more like this . I enjoyed all the before and after stuff. A guide scope with guide camera and PHD guiding will solve all your problems . Clear skys 😃
Great video Rick , love your presentation style, very calm and confident. I like your setup, you seem to have Stellarium and BackyardEOS working well together. Look forward to more from you, I've picked up some good tips. Thanks for sharing.
I really enjoyed this video, please continue making more of them :)
Hi Ric, great video as usual, interesting how you got your setup in the back garden, not something I could take to but i do like all your vids, you do make them so interesting, luv ya camping vids I'm a caravanner myself and great when your out and about, keep vloging 😎
I love watching your sessions! I'm learning along with you
Loved it! Looking forward to your next Astro photography video
great vid rick nice to see the final out come 🖒
From PA USA here, your setup is a dream I have for myself, so glad I found your video, outstanding!
Really enjoyed your video!! Very nice observatory you have too :) Want to build one to myself some time in the future, or maybe as long as I live in my apartment I will practice on the balcony :)
YES, it's worth doing these kind of videos.
Excellent video Rick. You provided a lot of useful information. You are getting some really nice results. Scott
Rick your set up is together!! Working on mine. lov the show's man!
This video was a great watch, I have been doing AP myself for 2yrs and luv'd the honesty in this video, some nights everything is good and some nights nothing goes to plan, but as your final image shows its worth all the effort.
GL with your AP and I hope to see more of your vids.
Thx Paul
PS - If you could show a full screenshot of the photos as you take them, it would be a even better experience for us viewers, but still very enjoyable to watch.
I honestly wish there were more videos like this! Its really nice to see that other people struggle with the same problems as i do at night. Also your setup is so cool!
Pretty dang awesome, you have me rethinking the 2nd floor of my house, I'm located near no-where but has a view that's, No-where-but-up !
Brilliant, not dull at all Rick, thoroughly enjoyed that, cracking picture at the end too. Win win :).
Just getting into this subject. For me it is a great example of the practicalities and demonstrates the iterations required to get a shot. Like you set up!! Would be good to see more.
With a scope of that long focal length on that mount you need perfect polar alignment and will have to start guiding for longer exposure. You have to get deeper into the rabbit hole ;-)
Get a guide scope/camera, the Orion star shoot guider is a good one to start with. Also the QHY polemaster is a big help for polar alignment, it works super easy too.
The Canon 1300d has live view. Set the camera to this mode and then you can focus the telescope without the need to take multiple shots to obtain the focus point when using the mask. As you thought, with the weight of the DSLR on the back you need to re-balance the the scope in all axis. Balancing is a requirement and depends which side of the mount the scope is pointing. Getting the balance right will reduce the chances of star trails. - for best results use a guide scope and camera, with PHD and do guided exposures of 3 - 5 minutes, but even with your snap shots you're getting results - well done.
What may be useful is Sampling 360 degrees and inclination in a set location in your back yard where you normally keep the scope and log what part of the sky is visible above buildings . So you would have a graphic of degrees north south east west and inclination angle that clears a sky view. Now you could make a custom ground back drop in stelarium so you now know what sky is always visible.
Some tips: objects like the Wizard nebula and Heart and Soul nebula will still not or barely be visible with the current setup, you need a more narrowbanded filter for that and in your case it will matter if your camera is sensitive enough for H-alpha (maybe if your camera is ha modified or recent model), better stick to brighter objects... You can't take long exposures because your setup is still unguided. Start learning to take flat images now. (and not forget to keep the camera untouched between the light and the flat exposures) You can take take dark frames after the session. Some objects I suggest are M17 Omega, M3, Veil nebula, M97, M57 Ring nebula, Draco triplet, M13, NGC6888 Crescent (the last one may be to faint, but just try anyway)
Jurgen Kobierczynski thanks for the great tips 👍🏻
Cool stuff Rick. Good to see what your up to.
Always a cup of tea in the video. the star trailing might be because you’re tracking 1 object not the others.
I would love to see more videos like this. They are very interesting :)
For me this was very enjoyable to watch Rick. Very relaxing, I wouldn't want to watch the same over and over so maybe mix it up with other subjects other than than terrific :)
Nice setup, Rick! Notwithstanding the fact that Arcturus (and similar stars) is incredibly large, it's even more mindbogglingly remote. Your telescope, actually just about any telecope, can not see any detail on its surface. Where your telescope shows a blob a few pixels wide instead of a single point, it's caused by disturbances in the atmosphere (or perhaps by focussing, but you'd just been focussing it before, so I guess it's the atmosphere). There are some interesting reads to be found on how large professional obervatories manage to eke out just the tiniest a hint of detail from complex observations of the very largest stars.
Not "dull" at all. Thanks for sharing.
Great video man and I really enjoyed the video. You make it feel like I was there with you. The stacked image at the end was worth it.
This is quite the asmr video actually. Great as always!
I really need this set up :) great videos Rick keep them coming
Hi Rick yes i liked your video it was very interesting ... love your set up . ... I was camping the other week end and had my telescope with me plus my cannon 70 D with t ring etc adapter , for the first time connected my camera i found i needed to buy another piece , the camera was just out of focus and had no more focus control........ I found when camping the dew on eye pieces can be a bit annoying not sure if you have found that too. I hope you will show us your results with your stacked photo editing .... Regards Christie
Those pictures are pretty great! Cant wait until I can get a telescope like that!
Just found your channel, love these backyard observatory videos! You inspire me to build my own someday! Subbed :)
This is exactly what a hobby is all about !...getting things right....eventually, and taking some fantastic shots, even if your'e not too sure how :-) Great Stuff Rick.
Great job Rick. Time to invest in a guide scope and guide camera! Get nice long exposures and you will get a TON of detail and color! Love the vids! Keep them coming.
Great introduction to my first astrophotography session.
Lots of fun watching thank you! A guidescope would allow you to have no trials, not sure if you have one by now but they're not that expensive and well worth it. cheers!
I really enjoyed this. I'm about to go watch the most recent astrophotography video now.
I would recommend a guide scope and a good quality guide camera. Phd 2 software, and maybe a qhy polarmaster to tell align to polaris .Great video by the way, and a fantastic setup.
You absolutely have to use a Guide scope with PHD2 unless your mount is in the $$$$$$$ price and still you need to guide on a star....anything past 30 seconds.and you polar alignment has to be bang on...
your home observatory looks like an interior of a space station, nice setup, cool video, two thumbs up!!
Amazing video i hope i see more as it is exactly what im planning to do at home upstairs with almost the same budget, again amazing job and keep it up
any slight breeze can cause a slight wobble, so you get a perfect star mixed with star trails, also blurring could be dew on nthe scope lens so maybe invest in a dew heater, i avoided the NEQ5 mount as i knew the weight of the setup would outlay the mount soon and grabbed an NEQ6...which you sound like you need soon, then you need a 80mm scope for tracking ...also your star if its directly above, there can be some play on the cogs, only tiny like 100th of a mil but on the exposure it creates a streak. i used to always stick with ISO 800 or 1200.
Hi Rick great video... I’m new into Astro photography... can you please share details or links to the items in your setup? Thanks
Ergio Bello Grippi here you go, on this page I list all of the items I am using: www.rickvanman.com/telescope/
I love astronomy so I would like you to make a lot more of these videos :)
Wow. I need this in my life! Many thanks Rick. :)
Rick ! I like riding along with you. Post more videos like this. It's not boring! One suggestion. When you edit the videos, you might want to insert the final stacked image you came up with so we can see the results.
Great vid, loving your setup
Nice set up, simular to what I want.
I had to keep reminding myself you weren't in a spaceship flying around! hahaha
awesome man. gives us " normal people " an actual view into astrophotography keep it up brother.
dude. amazing setup
Rick, it's a great image given the light polluted condition and only ~30m worth of total integration. If your camera's read noise is high, then adding a guider would certainly help since you'll be able to increase your exposure time for more signal to noise. But if your camera's read noise is low, you can get by with short exposures. You just need to stack a lot of them. Total integration time is what really matters (besides getting out of light polluted cities of course). If you can, try to have a total integration time of 2hr+ for each of your targets, and you'll see a much improved image quality. Another target I want to suggest is M13. It's high on the sky right now and is quite light pollution friendly. Cheers and clear skies!
P.S. Please do make more of these videos. I think they're awesome. Love the nice chilling atmosphere.
Alan Pham Great tips Adam, many thanks :-)
Nice video Rick. Keep making them
Awesome video 😀 - I felt like I was just hanging out with you on a star gazing night! Thank you so much!!
Fascinating Rick. Thanks.
fun - but time for a guider and PHD2. I'm new to this too, my nexdome arrives next week. I've been out shooting about 7 times. I didnt' like the 30 second limitation non guided, but phd2 scared me. Still I set it up and 5-10 minute exposures easy now.
...hey Rick you must perfect polar
align your trackingmount.
Amazing pictures!!!
Hi Rick,
You mentioned that you get stat trails when the telescope points in certain directions. I may have an answer to solve this problem. You will need to implement what is known as "East-Side-Heavy". When your mount it set up the North Leg is pointing North. If the telescope is on the East side you need to make the telescope more heavy by pushing the counter weights in slightly. If the counter weights are on the East Side you need to move the counter weights out making the weights more heave. This balance offset will allow the drive gear of your stepper motor to be in constant mesh. When you move your telescope without using East-Side-Heave there are times when the drive gear is not in mesh due to "Gear Slop" and star trails result. To get accurate long exposures you need to use East-Side-Heavy and an Autoguider. The Autoguider will send signals to your mount to speed up and slow your mount down to give perfect tracking giving good exposures of 3 to 5 minutes. Another item to consider is Periodic Error Correction (PEC), this is explained in your SysScan handbook and will help getting good star alignment. PEC records to inaccuracies of the internal drive of your mount and will adjust the speed of your mount to speed up or slow down when the inaccuracies occur; PEC can be used without Autoguiding, Hope this helps.
Great tips - thanks :)
Thanks Rick, really enjoyed the video .
Yes, enjoyed the video. Please keep making more...
Really enjoyed this video. I'm into astrophotography and would love to have a set up like you have in the space shed, lol. You deffo need to get polar aligned better if you're not auto guiding though. That's why the object in the West was giving longer star trails as that part of the sky moves much faster than the Northern part of the sky. Also depending on which direction the mount approached the dumbell nebula, if you start tacking a test shot too soon, the tracking motor may still be taking up the backlash. I think if you would have taken another image after waiting a minute, the trailing would not have been as bad. Keep the good work up and clear skies :)
Great video, I myself are just getting into astrophotography, hopefully with the gear I have. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Very nice Observatory it looks like your in the International Space Station. I think I'll try the silver padded insulation lining and the lighting colors.
I have to say Rick, I do envy your ability to get to grips with all your various technology .... I can't even successfully edit basic videos ..... #AARRGGHH!! :-)
what a great vlog thank you for sharing.your set up blew me away awesome
I was last into this 50 years ago and got freezing cold looking through an eleven inch reflecting telescope. It looks more comfortable sitting in a warm shed with the telescope outside.