Satrun, Astrostakkert reprocessed

Saturn, reprocessed on just released Emil's Astrostakkert.
This shot was taken on March 13, 2009.
C11 + DMK21AF + RGB Astronomik IIc.
500 frames each channel.
CS4 for Levels and Noisware.

M109 - Apr 11, 2010

Still working out the AO8 unit.

13x 600" @-20ºC
darks, bias, flats (borrowed)

full resolution

M97 and M51

Another try with AO8 unit under a still somewhat hazy skies, though not as wet as the night before.
Main goal was to check how the AO8 would handle and not so much about the picture itself.
It seems I still have to work on the setup since the stars are not perfectly round. Reasons for this could be decollimated optics, misalignment of imaging train on the visual back...

This time I aimed at M97 and M51.
Setup:
C11 + 0.63x FR + AO8 + ST2kXM/CFW10
Losmandy G-11

M51
1x 1200" @-20ºC
Darks, Flats and Bias

MaxIm & CS4

full resolution

M97
6x 600" @-20ºC
Darks, Flats and Bias
MaxIm & CS4

full resolution

AO8 first light

April 8th, 2010
AO8 unit first light, despite the haze and the frequent need to handle a hairdryer to remove the dew out of the CL.
I did it on my C11 with a Celestron's 0.63x FR and ST2000XM/CFW10.
I targeted M13 and M64 .

M13
2x 150" & 1x 120" @-30ºC
No Darks nor Flats.
MaxIm & CS4

full resolution

M64
1x 420" @-20ºC + 3 x 600" @-30ºC + 1x 180" @-20ºC + 1x 300" @-20ºC
Borrowed a Masterdark from another shot, no flats.
MaxIm & CS4

full resolution

M81

Reprocessed M81!
FS102NSV @f76.8
ST2000XM
CLS Astronomik IIc
12x 600"
Darks (and flats from another photo)
MaxIm & CS4

full resolution

Not yet the way I'd like it to be!

M101

Another shot at Pego do Altar's Messier Marathon, on March 13, 2010.
FS102NSV f/6.8
ST2000XM selfguided
CLS Astronomik IIc filter
6x 600" @-20ºC
darks (flats from another picture... :-p)
MaxIm DL & CS4

full resolution

Pego do Altar Messier Marathon, March 13, 2010

Long awaited Messier Marathon, scheduled some 4 months ago and threatened by one of the most rainiest winters I can recall in a very ling time.
Nice time along with some fellows AAs and big time to get away from downtown city lights sky.
This proved to be a much appreciated place and I'm sure we'll get back there in the future.
I had, however, some energy shortage... my vehicle battery ran dead just after some 1h30'. Unbelievable; I didn't even hear the inverter's beep, letting me know it was time to start the motor on, for some minutes... Well, I had to jump start it with the help of someone's car...
I took advantage of Pedro Ré's expertise and knowledge to setup my Maxim's routines. Guiding was very good and I was able to integrate M101 for some 60' and also M81 for another 120'.
Didn't take flats nor darks.
This is just a first processing routine:
image: FS102NSV, f/6.8, selfguided
mount: Losmandy G-11 Gemini
ccd: ST2000xm, CLS Astromomik IIc filter
MaxIm DL and CS4

full resolution