M33 a Year Later

Here is the latest image with some early processing. M33 from Wednesday night:

This really is a ridiculous image size. I need to find a different host for my blog...

Back in the Imaging Saddle Again!

Life in Idaho is good. WIth all the work getting our new home going I have not been attentive to my imaging pastime. Also, my Losmandy Gemini system never did work correctly, so I replaced it (used) via Astromart. Now I have an actually working go-to mount, although I had to wait for a system upgrade chip. Now the mount is working better than it ever has and I am happily shooting pics again.

Last night was my first successful foray into imaging here in the Idaho skies. I began my night by attempting M76 with a single four minute shot. This object was way too small for the scope I was using so I went to another object - BUT I was very pleased with the performance of the mount and system. This is a go-to with no correction; It is placed where the Gemini thought it should be. I should add that I synchronized the mount and added five additional stars for the model, then removed the reticle eyepiece and inserted the camera. I can live comfortably with this kind of go-to accuracy! My nights will be much more productive now.

This is the single frame. Notice how the camera has relatively little noise for an older DSLR - that's because it had just been turned on and had been sitting in the ambient 35 degree temperature for an hour or so. The later frames were noisier. Data follows the exposure. Will now be updating my astro blog weekly (I hope).

Man that is a dinky picture! Gonna have to do some linking to make this blog work. Here's the view I have in the back yard. I'm facing southeast when I took the shot. Excellent southern horizon to view. I'm in heaven - that is until the weather gets really cold! But that makes the camera work well right? : )

That big post behind my table is about 8 inches square. It doesn't know it yet but it is going to be my new pier soon. Anyone got a Losmandy MA adapter? The one that is made for the Meade tripod? One swipe with a chain saw and I'm in business. I hate leveling and setting up the tripod.

As you can see we have lots of room for other folks to visit and set up their gear. Six more acres in that field. Might have to get a  couple of informal star parties happening!

Check out the blog in a few days. I might have M33 (Triangulum Galaxy) posted by then.

Welcome to Dark Sky!

The Streagle clan has relocated to Idaho and we are in one piece. I have set up the astronomy trailer behind our new home in McCammon, Idaho. I plan on having a pier for my mount soon, but have set up the G8 mount once to check out the performance of a repair. Next weekend we will be heading out to Craters of the Moon Star Party for some REALLY dark sky and hope to make some friends at the same time.

The Milky Way in my own back yard is stunning in its brilliance. According to the Dark Sky Finder charts we are located in a blue zone. I have been able to see much more in early twilight than I could ever see back in VA on the darkest night at camp. Very pleased with the location and the lack of ambient light.

I plan on doing some astro work this week since the house painting is finished and I have a moment to breathe, so stay tuned for more astronomy talk and stories.

Okay, I can't stay away from the blog since I hurt my ribs last week and have to slow down a bit. Camp maintenance is not going to miss me for a few minutes while I post a few things.

Here's a few pics from my previous work to help this page get started. Feel free to distribute this stuff if you want - it is dumbed down for the web and is pretty low resolution though. All these pics were shot with DSLR's and I have attempted to keep the colors true to life, without any creative substitutions or artsy interpretations. All have been shot with custom white balance created in the camera with a gray card (except the Orion neb - it is from an un modded Nikon). I began my AP (astrophotography) with a stock Nikon D50 and D70, but have since moved to a Canon XSi (450D) that I have opened up and modified by removing the IR cut filter in order to improve the red response of the sensor. You can find the directions for this modification on the web at Gary Honis' website.

The first image is the area around Alnitak, in the belt of Orion. This complex is an imaging favorite due to the horsehead (dark) nebula and the flame nebula.

This next frame is IC 405 located in Auriga. It is a faint nebula that has a beautiful purple glow. I intend to revisit this one to do better justice to it this next year.

Here is the "Leo Trio" in all their glory. Bright galaxies that are easy targets for observers as well.

M27, the "dumbell nebula," so-called because of its shape. Actually the remains of an exploded star, this is another bright, easy target for visual observers.

This is the "Great Orion Nebula" which is the middle star of Orion's sword. Perhaps the brightest and most well known of the northern hemisphere's deep sky targets.

And M51, the "whirlpool galaxy," with its beautiful color palette of blues. I really want to shoot this again with a better image scale suitable for the object.

This is Tim's Astronomy Portal

So you have decided to keep in touch with me and my addiction with all things astronomical, huh? Okay, well here is a pic or two to get you started, but they come from photos taken back home in Goochland County, Virginia. I will be updating this blog as we travel and get settled in Idaho under (hopefully) darker skies. I'll be back soon!

This is the veil nebula, taken by me in mid-June. It's a noisy picture but it was very warm that night. Summer is not conducive to astrophotography - the camera gets really noisy quick. The color cast is off a bit as well. I used the Astronomik CLS filter on this shot to cut the light pollution. Gotta get that filter calibrated better on the camera.

Tune in next time for more updates in my astronomy adventures!