Astrophotography Session (Home Observatory) 28th Aug 2017 Stargazing

[@billleonard2015]

Don't underestimate the value of your videos - I quite enjoy the casual conversation regarding our hobby - yours and mine. By its nature it's a lonely hobby working all alone late at night. It's like having a friend to talk to who's not a vampire. Please keep the videos coming. They're inspiring, informative and entertaining. Thank you.

[@tmcoleman999]

These astrophotography sessions are fantastic, your setup is the one I've always dreamed of having and it feels like I'm there with you...keep it up

[@whatnotzone6866]

Thank you very much for your time and effort showing us your routine. I've never done anything with astronomy at home and very interested in the hobby. Or an obsession! Looking forward to following your progress.

[@ar4n2i0ee]

Please make more of these videos. They're very interesting and your set up is rather impressive! You seem to be getting much better in quick order too. Clear skies.

[@lukeslaney9414]

Really enjoy your videos. I'm beginning in astrophotography to. So I feel your frustration. I'd love for you to do a detailed video of your telescope pre set up like polar alignment balancing input your details into your hand controller and also the star alignment. Thanks

[@WiltshireMan]

Wizard nebula came out quite well when you consider your location in light polluted suburbia. One star cluster that may be a good target and easy to photograph is the sword handle of Perseus. If memory serves there are two very tight start clusters in close proximity. I once found them using my old 4.5 inch newtonian reflector quite high near the zenith in winter. Sandy

[@mattsmith010171]

I know you said your not into star clusters much but try taking a shot of the double cluster or also called NGC884 it's just to the right of the heart nebulae. Also take a look at Pleiades cluster or also called M45, it has some nebulasity to it. I hear that the AR152 scope is ideal for star clusters and thank you for posting these videos because I am looking into buying this scope. After seeing your astrophotography pics it looks amazing. Thanks again for your videos I enjoy the sessions it's like observing the sky with you.

[@reptilerick]

Fantastic out come Rick. I've had crappy weather the last few weeks and I can't wait for a clear evening to get out and experiment. One quick thing. It could be me but your audio seems to be a bit overly compressed with the new mic. Might want to lift your 800-1200k freq. if you are using an eq. Love the Astro sessions. Looking forward to more.

[@GLK-London]

Glad you got some clearer sky Rick, it's been a while as you say! Very interesting video again ,it's certainly a steep learning curve but you seem to be coping admirably sir,certainly a lot better than I would I suspect! Looking forward to see how things are with those clear frosty nights in midwinter.

[@theblackrabbit2626]

Lovely video again Rick. Very interesting and informative! Looking forward to more... especially in those crisp winter nights!

[@35konrad63]

Great astro-videos, rick. Very inspiring. Just 1 wish: could you please switch your 2 screens, so that we have a better look on the more interesting applications? So stellarium to the left screen. And you camera software, guiding cam,... to the right, better visible screen? Regardless of this, I am ready for you next session. Always clear skies!

[@UncleColin]

Can you do a series like this please? I'm just getting into the idea of Astrophotography and I'm finding these videos fascinating!

[@djkrilos]

Great video Rick. PHD2 tracking can take some setting up for auto guiding but it is definitely worth knowing a few tricks:-- Before selecting AUTOGUIDE icon press SHIFT and CLICK on icon to initiate a CALIBRATION process. This checks your mount gears for backlash and compensates for any slack in the gears. I usually do this every time I select a new object.- Always set the DEC value of your imaging object in ADVANCED PARAMETERS (brain icon) / GUIDING TAB / CALCULATE BUTTON then enter the DEC value in the calibration declination box- Try to image an object that is not on the horizon but that is near it's highest point in the sky so that your telescope is almost vertical and not horizontal. Horizontal imaging expects extremely fine telescope balancing and makes it harder to auto guideTry imaging the bubble nebula at this time of year it's such a fascinating deep space object surrounded by lots of hydrogen gas.All the best

[@Apocalypsor]

djkrilos what he says! And regarding your choice of the ISO and exposure lenght: always check your histogram! Try to set the data between 2/5 to 3/5 of the histogram field to avoid a data clipping. Clear skies

[@Foxhillfarms]

Astronomy has never taken my interest, but I am finding this very interesting rick, you seem to have a natural talent as this.

[@beltonuuk]

Some advice. When guiding if you change your target, you'll need to re-calibrate PhD for better results. Look into noels actions for Photoshop which has an action to reduce blue/ purple bloat on your stars. For your flat frames you want the histogram around 1/3rd to 1/2 the way in from the left for best results.

[@ndpitch]

I like the candid style of your videos. Very relaxing. It’s like I’m in the shed with you just hanging out and enjoying some astrophotography. I don’t have any equipment to be able to do this, but I hope to someday. Keep the videos coming!

[@azimuth2142]

Nice end result. Waiting to get my scope set up.

[@stevec2151]

Brilliant video again rick so easy to watch and very informative especially for a beginner in Astrophotography.I am always on look out for your new videos. Keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@longhunter1951]

Thanks Rick ,enjoyed your presentation very much, cheers Steve

[@marklowry4431]

Love your videos. Here is something I've heard: If you calibrate phd2 in one part of the sky, it's a good idea to recalibrate it when you move to a different target. It will help the guiding be more accurate with those longer exposures.

[@rickvanman]

Great tip! Thanks :)

[@underseacreature2088]

These videos are awesome. I’ve been gathering as much info as I can to begin my astronomy venture and I’m quite tired of the tutorial type of videos. Your videos counter those with practical use and without assuming the viewer is a complete moron. Truly I learn more from your videos than the tutorials. Kudos to you. Keep em coming

[@69Phuket]

Rick. Have you thought about pointing the telescope horizontally from a high point to see how far you can see? That would be interesting. I'm thinking that hill you love and Canary Wharf in London's East End.

[@jacklawrenson9434]

You can use stellarium to track the stars with you're telescope. You plug you're telescope into you're computer and then you connect it. It's accurate enough to take 30ish seconds of exposure.

[@Mach1Greeble]

I'm a total beginner, i learned some stuff watching this. Cheers Boss.

[@bobdavis2011]

I really enjoy these videos, while I probably will never own such a home observatory I truly enjoy watching these. The conversation makes me feel like he's talking to me as a friend who's interested in astrophotography would explain explain it.

[@neilcuthbertson72]

Might be worth ditching the battery all together and going down the power adapter route which plugs into the battery compartment. Its much lighter than a battery and means you can shoot for hours without worrying if you have enough power left in the battery. Hope your good and enjoying the more recent clear skies we have had. Keep up the good work mate :)

[@joestafford8775]

I dont know if you are still reading these but you should use the grey point eyedropper in the levels. it will make the object 'pop out' more against the sky.

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for the tip :o)

[@PeteSztencel]

Very nice stuff. I like the presentation style - the calm enthusiasm fits the subject matter perfectly. My stargazing nowadays (from West Yorkshire) consists mainly of watching KZbin videos from fine people like yourself whilst waiting for a clear sky. (We had one three months ago which lasted for 38 minutes.) Seeing that coffee mug on the desk made me nervous, though; I hope you've got a waterproof keyboard... Thanks for posting!

[@ehuffman2035]

I love your setup. This is what I want!

[@Detectingtheinvisible]

I am just learning DSLR thanks for explaining your thought process.

[@MattyExplore]

Love your videos, I also laughed so hard when you mentioned about not being able to decide what to watch on Netflix. I'm exactly the same, glad I'm not the only one lol.

[@dunsbypeter]

Advice on APOs - I would sell your existing scopes and get a 102 mm APO. You actually do not need a 6'' to get great pictures! I'm using an 80mm and it's absolutely fine for all but the faintest galaxies.

[@UNSCPILOT]

The 6" is probably better for planetary

[@vansolo9794]

Love these type of videos....especially after I have flicked through the entire catalogue of Netflix and wasted 5 hours !! It is a lonely pastime this star gazing. I also trade forex and that is equally hours spent flipping through charts all on my own in an attic room where I can be for 12 hours at a time. I get so hungry for knowledge and love trying out new things on my Telescope Everything else, to me, is a distraction........I'm single, which helps :-) I don't think I have switched on my TV for over 6 months now !

[@zazoreal5536]

Talk about your setup or other setups people use. You can even put on some time lapse of you just looking for that nebula or galaxy you want to shoot with some relaxing music.

[@iancar29]

Hi Rick, another enjoyable video. Keep them coming! It helps get my own "fix" until i can get out myself again. Just would like to give a tip if you don't already know about it but the RAW file "dehaze" option works wonders on astro shots, I found it worked really well on the heart and soul nebula. Wouldn't go anything above 60 as it starts to degrade images then but its really helpful in getting ready single files before stacking. Clear skies Ian

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for the tip Ian, what program is the dehaze option in?

[@iancar29]

It's in the FX ( effects ) tab in camera raw after any 2015 version of photoshop and lightroom.

[@IMCDundee]

Try M13 in hercules,you might also want to try NGC7000 in cygnus & M27 in Vulpectula & M57 in Lyra ,and you can get "fringe killer" filters to stop the colour aberation and an LPR (light pollution) filter for your scope.Are you using any dew control heating bands?Also your Canon has its best dynamic range at 800iso

[@andreagianopoulos]

Rick, I'm an astronomer in the USA. May I suggest you try imaging the Pleiades (a.k.a. Seven Sisters or Messier 45/M45). They are visible in the Northern Hemisphere's early-morning sky now, evening sky in the winter. The Pleiades are a relatively young, open cluster whose bright-blue stars still hold some of their star-forming nebulosity. The cluster is in Taurus, The Bull. The cluster is bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye, and looks great in binoculars too. I also suggest trying globular star clusters. Globular clusters are spherical collections of thousands of ancient stars. You might enjoy testing the limits of your scope's resolution by seeing how many stars you can resolve. I'm not sure where in England you are located, but you should be able to see M13 (NGC 6205) in Hercules in the Western evening sky at this time of year. Stellarium should be able to give you rise, set, and local meridian times for M13 and M45. One other star suggestion: the binary star Alberio (Beta Cygni) in Cygnus, The Swan. Alberio is a beautiful binary system. The brighter star is yellow and its companion is blue. The color contrast is striking. Alberio is a true binary, not a visual binary. Both stars revolve around a common center of mass. To the unaided eye, it looks like a bright star, but even binoculars can resolve these blue and yellow companions into separate stars. Finally, you might find Vicker's Deep-Sky CCD atlas helpful. It is a collection of deep-sky objects photographed with a backyard telescope (I can't remember the size or type of telescope he used). It offers amateur astronomers real examples of the details they might see in their own telescopes. It's a wonderful observing tool. He published it as a book and also a CD-ROM. Anyway, I hope this helps. I've been following you for many years and have enjoyed watching your many adventures: came for the gardening videos, stayed for the adventures. :-) Thank you for sharing them with us! Clear Skies!

[@Sparkey]

Love your videos Rick, You're a modern day renaissance man.

[@ar4n2i0ee]

Great video! Looking forward to more.

[@nettyvoyager6336]

the reason for the haze in summer is the heat that rises into the atmosphere creating a haze blanket winter months obviously have cold air rising therefore clear nights

[@marcvwest]

Rick, Good to see you back in Shed-ouston control and having fun with your astrophotography setup. Love to see more detail on your Auto guide setup which auto guide software you using, assume its the one that came with celestron autoguider you have? I assume the Guider has a wider FOV so it tracks your star close to the nebula while you take images? Notice you didn't use the Baader in these shots, be great to see a video of the differences with and with out the Baader Semi Apo filter? Additionally have you thought of setting up a serial wireless connection for your mount? For a little cost $25 you can setup a serial wifi adapter to talk to your HEQ5 Pro mount. www.usconverters.com/downloads/support/Controlling-a-telescope-over-WiFi.pdf That way when the winter sets in you can go mobile in the van to some great dark areas with your scope and a trusted www.celestron.com/products/powertank-12v-power-supply and nestle down in your van and the warmth with a laptop wirelessly and take some stunning images. Thanks Marc

[@ronjlwhite4750]

Get a full sheet and have them cut it up. It will be a way better deal for profit too.

[@Skibumsplace]

Hi Rick I assume you keep your scope in the shed when not in use. I was wondering if you could do a video on your evening setup procedure before a nights viewing. I'm a few months behind you with all this stuff. My new ZWO camera arrives this week. Thanks!

[@TGF120]

I don't know if you'll ever get to read this but this man's mentality is truly inspiring for me. Probably even far more educational as well. Hope you've done a video on your kit as I'm curious as to what you're using. And yes, you should have went with the apo but those are indeed much more money. I'm thinking on the Meade LX200 for myself but the price difference between us and the US is insane.. it's like 2000 euro's more for the same damn scope..

[@ar4n2i0ee]

I have a similar problem here in Canada, though not quite as bad as you have it from the sounds of it. Very few suppliers in Canada. I'm looking at possibly getting an Explore Scientific Carbon Fiber Newtonian 208mm, but even it is too expensive for me at the moment :(

[@TGF120]

Aaron C the LX200 costs 3000 dollars in the US. The same exact scope costs 4999 euro's so it's even more than 2000 euro's tbh. I am still doubtful either way because of it's insanely long focal length as it will make photographing pretty difficult. As for the newtonian you mentioned I haven't seen those here in Holland.

[@ar4n2i0ee]

HajkK Ouch, that's unfortunate (and very frustrating) that the cost is so much higher in Holland. I believe the newtonian I mentioned is rather new as I haven't seen it until recently myself.

[@TGF120]

Aaron C it really is. And they refuse to ship it to me from the US too so that helps in the "pisses me off" department. It would still cost me considerably less.. so now I'm just refusing to buy it here in Holland from a moral highground. I feel like paying 2000euros for jack shit?? I'll try to find them and see what those cost here in Holland once I'm back there.

[@mar504]

If you are just starting with astrophotography a 80mm apo refractor is the way to go. Save your money for a good mount, the mount is the most important piece of kit for those of us taking photos. I started with an 8" SCT and it was nothing but frustration for over a year, a focal length between 500-1000mm is ideal.

[@petarbabic4746]

Why didn't you buy the Explore scientific ed80 essential series. Its smaller and 150 bucks cheaper and is a triplet apo so you won't get cromatic abberation and it has a smaller focal lenght so it's easier to guide.

[@nettyvoyager6336]

your tracking is perfect dont change it i've seen graphs on my own screen looking like an oscilloscope wave with a headache you are doing great RIck well done ! that haze you can remove with a nice bit of equipment called a filter :P

[@murf411_4]

Best app I’ve used for astronomy is Sky Guide hands down.

[@Hortman25]

I really LOVE those types of videos!!!

[@simonworger]

Enjoying your vids, especially the AP ones as I am quite new to it. I've just started guiding too, but need some practice with it as my graph is all over the place ! What vid's did you use to learn about PHD ?

[@jefflucas_life]

Good morning from America, I am shooting for NGC 7822. So glad you're back on your telescope RICK!

[@nettyvoyager6336]

morning trouble :P

[@Sharpless2]

I think, if you can, take 2 images of andromeda. One of the core and one with higher ISO and Exposure time for the Rest of the Galaxy and then blend them together. i Think ISO 100 is a bit low. maybe try 400 or 800.

[@gabewrsewell]

yes I've been waiting for another astro session!

[@musicbox8351]

astronomy is so easy now with tech technology

[@The80sBoy]

Not dull at all Rick, very inspirational and very interesting: we want more, we want more, we want more ... please?

[@MarkGarth]

Yes Rick, Winter is better than summer for seeing. Just get used to going numb :-)

[@banday78]

Fantastic work ... a question, how do u polar align so correctly?

[@glennjshuttleworth4365]

Not sure that trying to get detail out of a single exposure is the way to go. Had you taken 30 exposures of Andromeda and then stacked them you would be in a better position to stretch the result in photoshop.

[@nettyvoyager6336]

by the way repeating yourself in any learning process is part of that process people join you intermediately so a good recap and back story is paramount in any curve your doing well and dont be afraid to repeat yourself :)

[@jaserogers9449]

Thanks again for a good video Rick .keep it up pal.

[@gabewrsewell]

Oh also you can alleviate your chromatic aberration problem with the 'Purple Fringing' slider in Adobe Lightroom

[@nettyvoyager6336]

do a small drawing on the wall with you horizon termination point infact just do a 360 degree picture of your garden and measure the height to the first available object on your horizon dont forget pointing in one direction is fine it all comes around anyway its call the procession of the equinox also try and get away from DSLR and go CCD

[@ianmcdonald8648]

Rick I am guessing hat you are in teh UK. Do you ever get to see the Crux - Southern Cross from your place?

[@Caedo12]

Ian McDonald, Crux is too close to the south pole for it to rise for folks in the northern hemisphere to see, as is the galactic center. It's a shame too because in my opinion, some of the most interesting things to see in the sky (galactic center, Magellanic clouds, Tarantula nebula, etc.) are in the southern hemisphere.

[@ianmcdonald8648]

Caedo and that is my point exactly. I live near the 38 degree lattitude southern hemi. Those far enough north can't see the Crux with their own eyes. I have said elesewhere that E W Bullinger in his book - The Witness of the Stars, has an entry on pages 48-50 approx that describes it being seen in Jerusalem low in the horizon about 3 or so BC, but was not seen 30 years later when Pontius Pliate gave approval for Jesus to be crucified. Some 1600 years later it was seen in the Southern Hemi around Cape of Good Hope and other southern areas. People far enough north visit Australia just to see the Crux, and the other sights you speak about. this is one of the few Aussie vids of our southern sky kzbin.info/www/bejne/an7EmphnfcyIi5Y

[@jefblogs3279]

Pleiades, you will be impressed.

[@gunnarjensen5910]

Light room might remove chromatic Abberton ?

[@BookOfFaustus]

Do you have an astrobin account? I've been watching your technical skills skyrocket since I started watching this channel. Cheers!

[@tracyvernon2426]

Fantastic pic! it takes an awful lot of patience to photograph stuff like that,wouldn't mind a picture of a galaxy if its clear enough,or a red star,or even a black hole?.

[@mar504]

Mu Cephei would be a good target, it is also called The Garnet Star

[@nettyvoyager6336]

look into atmospheric dispersion its very interesting :)

[@Ray-se1km]

Rick do you work? What do you do.

[@TR6Telos]

After the bedroom tax I read in the Sun that an observertory tax is on the way.

[@PlotToPlates]

Thanks Rick.

[@elainelkooburton7854]

Plot To Plates Allotment jokjlm😅😘😍

[@slippreygritz]

1:56 what is flying across the screen looks fast

[@francored4166]

Best video, thank you Rick, i have one question for you, with rain or bad weather you cover this hardware, mount, telescope, etc., etc. thanks for you answer

[@rickvanman]

Franco Red the setup is disassembled at the end of the session 😊

[@francored4166]

thanks for you reply Also i must buy canon 1300D, in this moment i have asi 120 MC, see my simple video..:kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKWceHSnoryinKs

[@zenithzonemedia]

Tnx for your videos, what is the model of your telescope?

[@rickvanman]

here you go... kzbin.info/www/bejne/moWoeGSjm72SoLc

[@irenepotter2709]

Very interesting Rick and how do you make your coffee.............looked lush :o)

[@donsigurdson2617]

Really love your vids . Watching this one brought some things to mind . Could you please do a video on your phd settings ( I like the star mag. Screen ) and your stallarium settings . Also your spilt screen ( 2 computers or on ?) thanks for your style of vids. DSO browser is a winner

[@sillyfrog]

Can you please link me to the light sketch board you used. Thanks

[@rickvanman]

I can't remember the specific one I bought, but if you do a search on eBay for "artists lightpad" - there are lots to choose from

[@reptilerick]

after a quick search on amazon I found a bunch anywhere from 15.00 us to over 135.00 us. SSearch for LED lightbx

[@UKJay1971]

Great video Rick, as always. In regards to Andromeda, patience is key; you should have continued to shoot and the blob would have added detail in stacking. Winter is great for imaging in the UK but there are also summer targets with the right equipment - all these were shot this spring / summer using filters: www.dso-imaging.co.uk Keep up the videos - I love them!

[@thekingstone8632]

Great video Rick can i ask ..this time of year do you get big spiders in your shed? or does the silver insulation keep them away xxxsha

[@rickvanman]

The Kingstone8 so far I haven't had any encounters :)

[@petehog1972]

Hey Rick, another great vid, what DSLR do you use? im just in the process of looking into buying one, cheer pete

[@rgoodenough]

Hi - where did you get the USB/LED panel that you used for flats, please?

[@rickvanman]

Just go to eBay and do a search for "drawing light panel" :o)

[@3ccdmike]

Are you doing multiple exposures and dump and stack.

[@33cash66]

Hi Rick I am new to your channel. I am looking to get a telescope. If you would please look for the Red Dragon in the sky.

[@michelbliek_2148]

Yeah great video... thanks for sharing!!!!!

[@mann5852]

Why the aka shed is red lighted ? 🤔

[@llamarvasquez1803]

Hello rick! I notice when you were picking a guide star, you picked from the West... can you explain why you pick from West when imaging from east?? I’m asking because I’m having problems guiding this might help me thanks a lot

[@rickvanman]

The main reason is because I don't know what I am doing :)

[@nettyvoyager6336]

yeah we are all out of the office at the moment because the weather in the UK SUCK's SHIT

[@rickvanman]

Agreed. I've had this setup almost a year and only been able to use it less than a dozen times :o(

[@paulhartley9847]

awesome thanks for sharing!

[@michaelmyres7416]

Hi Rick..this was a fascinating watch..just wondered..do you believe in aliens & ghosts?

[@rickvanman]

Thanks, glad you liked it :o) I don't do "belief" as such, at least not without some pretty hard evidence, but I do always remain open minded to possibilities. To answer your question: Ghosts: I'm not convinced and will err on the side of 'unlikely', until a time that hard evidence is forthcoming. Aliens: I am currently very open-minded to the possibility that we are not alone in the universe. :o)

[@michaelmyres7416]

Thanks for replying Rick..that's interesting to hear your view on the subject :)

[@petehalford5425]

You're the new Patrick Moore, Rick !!

[@rickvanman]

Does that mean I'll have to get a monocle?

[@petehalford5425]

Probably need to grow your eyebrows a bit too !!

[@steveparkes4365]

rickvanman You would have to get those trousers that fit around the chest. Lol

[@Ambassador_Kobi]

You are on your way. Don't buy anything new yet unless it is obvious you really need it: expect dew problems in the autumn. First make some multi hour sessions capturing targets like M27 dumbbell, NGC7000 North America nebula, Veil Nebula, NGC 6888 Crescent. Don't do NGC 1333, this is an advanced target. For an interesting cluster try M35 and NGC2158 in the winter.

[@nettyvoyager6336]

its light as a feather :)

[@WestcountryYokelOnYoutube]

cracking vid mate missed this one. ;-) ufo spotting episode next i recon. ;-)

[@goonluv]

I can spend two hours trying to find a film on kodi lol

[@gabewrsewell]

When you're shooting those faint nebulae, try overexposing the image without completely blowing it out if you get what I mean, that way you have more data to work with and you can recover it no problem in photoshop

[@nasanction]

Planets are always good even in brutal conditions.

[@HHolmgaard]

did you just say ufo at 31:32, well if you´re looking for them juse some more time at the moon then for exambel

[@ScotsWildcamper]

Fascinating , if i win the lottery you can have a payed holiday to set-up something for me !!

[@michaelhill4796]

its helps us all, well dun. mick hill.

[@rmsoni8647]

great

[@bigbazer]

Another great vid, Thanks. It looks like your brew was stone cold by the time you finaly drunk it :-)