Questions regarding using the ASI224MC for DSO's

boodoggrey1

Hi all,

I recently purchased the 224MC . To this point , I have been using for guiding and planetary. But, I would like to move on to DSO's as I see some great work being posted. I have a couple of questions.

1. I am using a 10" reflector for my work, what size dso should I be looking to capture? M31 too large? something like M20 ok?

2. When shooting dso's, are you using a barlow? 2x? 5x?

3. I see people using gain and exposures all over the place, is it simply trial and error based on the object? or is there a range that seems to work?

4. I am in a light polluted area now. Should I filter?

5. lastly, do I still continue to use DSS to stack? Do i need full sets of darks/lights/flats?

Thanks for the patience of anyone that will respond!!!

Bill

Sam@ZWO

the 224mc is only 1/3" sensor

you can simulate the FOV in software, usually we won't use barlow for DSO imaging

AS!2 is a good software for avi file stacking, so you may can use AS!2 too

about setting, usually you need more practice

einari

Some more.

1. Many software like Stellarium Cartes du Ciel, TheSky etc allow you to put your scope&camera parameters so you get correct field of view rectangle in th sky chart.

Here's one online tool for this:

http://www.blackwaterskies.co.uk/p/imagingtoolbox.html

2. Usually no.

3. For brighter objects I would do higher gain and lower exposure and for dimmer lower gain and longer exposure. But unity gain is a good starting point.

4. How light is your light pollution ?

Try first without filter and if you have hard time processing your images due to light pollution.

Can recommend Idas LP filters. I use it almost every time (live about 5km from +200 000 population town center).

5. You don't use DSS for planetary images, right ?

DSS is pretty good for DSOs but not for planetary. AS!2 and Registax are good for planetary but not so good for DSOs. Can recommend Regim or Nebulosity for DSO stacking/processing (the latter is not free).