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M45 Pleiades - 11/11/2018

Discussion in 'Astrophotography and Imaging' started by Ed D, Nov 11, 2018.

M45 Pleiades - 11/11/2018

Started by Ed D on Nov 11, 2018 at 7:56 PM

7 Replies 2073 Views 2 Likes

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  1. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Nov 11, 2018
    #1
    I finally did it and bought a Canon T3i body in near mint condition with a very low shutter count. My last 'real' camera was an Olympus OM-10 35mm SLR, over a quarter century ago. Needless to say, I feel like I went from flying a Sopwith Camel Bi-Plane to flying an F-22 Raptor.

    The past couple of days I have been learning how to use the DSLR and taken a few shots in my back yard. I finally realized that by ignoring all the high-tech features and simply using it in manual, setting ISO and shutter speed and duration, it's not really different from my old Sopwith Camel.

    Tonight I used my AT72ED refractor as the lens for the camera. I set it up on my CG-4 GEM without any effort to do precise polar alignment. This was a test to get the feel for what I can do with it in my Bortle 9 zone, playing with different ISO and exposure settings. I also wanted to test the field size and electronic noise. I am very happy with what I accomplished tonight, but I realize have a long way to go.

    Ed D

    M45 - Pleiades jpg.jpg
    Messier M45 - The Pleiades
     
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  2. Seer

    Seer Well-Known Member

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    Seer, Nov 12, 2018
    #2
    COOL :cool:
    I was looking at the Pleiades a few nights ago. They remind me of either a pot with a spout or a tea pot that has a straight pot like handle.
     
  3. Seer

    Seer Well-Known Member

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    Seer, Nov 12, 2018
    #3
    I GOT IT!
    The Pleiades are like Pablo Picasso's chocolate pot. :D
     
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  4. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Nov 12, 2018
    #4
    That's a great shot, Ed. Can't wait to see future astrophotos! Here is a shot I took of the Pleiades last year with my old Nikon D50 with a 300mm zoom lens attached, ISO 400, single 30s exposure:

    ASTRONOMY - PLEIADES 1-12-17 SM.jpg

    Hey, Ed, let's start an M45 imaging thread! ;)
     
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  5. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Nov 13, 2018
    #5
    Hi Reggie;

    Starting an M45 imaging thread is a great idea. We should make it a point that anything goes, from instamatic pocket cameras to specialized deep sky imaging CCDs. Hey, why not include sketches, too? With the Pleiades just starting to appear in the sky we have plenty of opportunity.

    The image I posted was taken at ISO 1600, and anything faster than a shutter speed of 3 to 5 seconds would burn out the image. I'm thinking that if I reduce the ISO to 400 or 200 I can increase the exposure time to hopefully get more image data. I can see a bit of nebulosity in your image. I'm also going to try getting a few exposures to see if stacking helps. Imaging in a Bortle 9 zone can be challenging.

    I usually eat lunch at home. I'll start the thread if you haven't already.

    Ed D
     
  6. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Nov 13, 2018
    #6
    I checked out Picasso's Chocolate Pot. Interesting. One of my daughters sees M45 as a Martini Glass. I made a sketch a few years ago. I'll try to attach it at lunch time.

    Ed D
     
  7. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Nov 13, 2018
    #7
    I like the idea of an anything goes M45 thread. I'm at work so if you want to start one feel free to get a headstart! :)
     
  8. Seer

    Seer Well-Known Member

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    Seer, Nov 13, 2018
    #8
    Damn I just looked it up also. I did not know that he actually painted one. I was thinking that the Pleiades looked like a standard chocolate pot if it was in cubism with its spout in a different location.
     

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