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Captured by
Lawrence Parchman

Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253)

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Posts Made By: Gianluca Valentini

November 29, 2006 03:36 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

The BUB

Posted By Gianluca Valentini

Hello there Tyler.
I knew for the start that this was going to be a good one!

I like the large version.

Ciao
Luca

December 5, 2006 03:11 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

the BIG picture

Posted By Gianluca Valentini

Very nice Alan 8)
I really think yours are the smoothest images ever: SWEET processing for a COOL result
grin


Ciao
Luca

December 11, 2006 04:35 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

1st light with lots of new toys!!!

Posted By Gianluca Valentini

Here is a 100% crop of the usual area.

Luca

December 13, 2006 06:44 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Added data to h-alpha horsey!

Posted By Gianluca Valentini

Thank you all guys grin

your kind comments are a big encouragement for me!

Ciao
Luca

December 14, 2006 04:37 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Horsehead in Halpha

Posted By Gianluca Valentini

Nice Greg! I tried the same subject with exactly the same set up except for the mount (I have the AP1200).
We'll be eagerly waiting for the color version grin

Ciao
Luca

December 14, 2006 04:47 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Added data to h-alpha horsey!

Posted By Gianluca Valentini

I'm testing my equipment and I really like the horse! It has always been a dream of mine to do a good picture of this area and I'm gearing up to that task.
I also collected color data but I still need a lot of processing on those files (mostly process the flats, hoping they'll be alright cwy ).

In the meanwhile here we go with the most popular subject on the forum lately (mostly my fault wink )

December 17, 2006 01:41 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Re: The Great Orion Nebula

Posted By Gianluca Valentini

Sorry guys, but where's the picture you are talking about grin

Ciao Greg and Dietmar

Luca

December 18, 2006 09:22 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Horsehead with ST120

Posted By Gianluca Valentini

Wonderful Shot David!

Congratulations! At which focal length was it captured?

Ciao

Luca

December 20, 2006 02:45 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M13 and M22

Posted By Gianluca Valentini

Hello Paul. Nice images: I cant wait to see what you'll do with the mighty ST-2000 grin

Did you buy the one-shot color or the mono version?

Ciao
Luca

December 20, 2006 03:18 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Need a little DSI help

Posted By Gianluca Valentini

Hello Rick,

I am in no way an accomplished astrophotographer as some of the guys here, but I believe that my experience could be of some help to you.

Although what Roland says is absolutely true, I would begin with a one-shot color camera. I did that (I started with an ST-2000 XCM from SBIG) and I don't regret it. After practicing a bit with that camera and solving some of the problems related to astrophotos, I decided it was time to go into the B&W and bought a mono camera and filter wheel. I'm still fighting my battle with this camera and all the additional problems related to capturing (a lot more time needed for the same object because you have to shoot through all the different filters, usually LRGB) and processing (because you simply have at least 3 times the quantity of shots you would have with a one shot color camera) but I'm now enojoying it more because some of the problems I already solved with the previous simpler camera.

So my advice is: get accustomed to all the issues and problems of astrophotos with a simple camera, shooting many short exposures, as Rolands suggests, to dispense with the problem of guiding, which is a handful by itself, and then slowly move on to different more challenging cameras that involve more problems, but also give you more satisfying results. Luckily, this hobby has a good second hand market for just about all items, basic and semi-pro, so, by the time you grow out of whatever camera you decide to buy (and trust me, you will) you can always sell yours and buy a new or used one grin

Hope this helps.

Ciao
Luca