M 101 Galaxy Collision and an ASI294MC+Antlia TriBand Filter Update

[@MakeAMark]

Surprised you didn't mention the recent Supernova discovered in M101!

[@Aero19612]

Haha. Just think how surprised you’ll be when I tell you I had no idea a supernova had been detected. Sounds like it was the day after my most recent images. I’ll go back and look more closely at that area. Cross your fingers!

[@secretstill]

Fascinating, James. I like your personal testing (I've gone back to OSC myself just so that I have time to image and finish the job) and the broader scientific view. Excellent work!

[@Aero19612]

Thanks for watching! I’ll still keep my mono system, haha, but the OSC approach sure is convenient, especially if I get the Ha and RGB all at the same time.

[@Space-Stuff]

Hi James, I haven't gone through the other comments so this information might be in there. But, if it is not in the comments already then you may find this useful. ZWO has redesigned all versions their Filter Drawers to eliminate the light leakage. If you visit their website they clearly layout the new design and what they changed to eliminate the exact problem you're having with your current Filter Drawer. Just thought I'd mention it in case you weren't aware of the, much needed, design changes.

[@Aero19612]

Thanks for commenting. I have the latest version of the filter drawer and, indeed, recent imaging with a taped-over drawer still gives me the gradient. So, I believe the filter drawer is fine after all. Could be that I'm seeing actual sky glow gradient rather than light leakage.

[@billblanshan3021]

Nice image and video Jay! I might have to get one of those filters myself.

[@Aero19612]

Thanks, Bill! Not a bad filter at all. I’m becoming an Antlia “fan boy” I guess.

[@Barbaria_Sailing]

Interesting video, and a very nice image of the triplets.

[@Aero19612]

Thanks for watching! Haha. I’ve done worse images of the triplets! Anyway, I was pretty pleased with the filter, considering the imaging time and “slowness” of the F5.6 OTA.

[@Robservatory]

Would you recommend the Antlia RGB Ultra over the Optolong L-Pro? I am ina Bortle 8\9.

[@Aero19612]

I haven’t had a chance to use my L-Pro a lot. The L-Pro does provide some sky pollution protection, but the Antlia TriBand provides even more. Plus you get a decent amount of the Ha. For a Bortle 8/9, I think you’d be better off with the Antlia (I’m in Bortle 7/8ish)

[@stuparker776]

Hi James Great vid.A guy I know has just found a SN in M101 days ago.Have a look at your data you may have imaged it and that data could be really improtant.Its well worth a look and see if it blinks with an old reference image.I cannot seem to see it in your images but utube is more than likely affecting seeing it.Good luck

[@Aero19612]

Why am I always the last to know about these things? Thanks for noting it. I’ll go back and check my recent images. Seems like discovery reports are the day after my mine were taken. But I’ll check! New video maybe? Thanks for watching, Stu!

[@MrBebopbob]

Hi James. Thanks for another great video. The simulation you discuss is very interesting. I must have missed something in that I didn't know you were using OSC cameras (ever). In Utah (where I am), I am lucky if I can ever get enough integration time (which I modestly try to get 12+ hrs) without using multi-year data. I will have to give the Antlia tri-band filter a try. Your results look very nice. Thanks again. Bob

[@Aero19612]

Hey Bob. Started off with a Canon T2i but had to give up on it because a non-cooled camera in Texas ain’t that awesome. Switched to cooled mono camera(s) and that’s my go-to imaging setup. Then, pretty much on a whim, I decided to pair the ASI294MC with the C9.25 (see kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGnLgp6ggth9o7c) since the targets I tend to shoot with that scope are RGB (i.e., galaxies). We’ll see how this pans out…

[@MrBebopbob]

@@Aero19612 Hi James, I forgot to mention that I ended up putting black vinyl electrical tape around several connectors, my Starizona filter drawer and the angle adjustment plate on the bottom of my ASI2600MC to eliminate stray light. It helped allot. Now I just need to put some electrical tape around my neighbors house to block the stray light from 2 flood lights and what appears to be 1000W of kitchen lights which face my house (I may need allot of tape). I wanted to ask you if your Antlia Triband filter makes it so that you can take subs when the moon is not new? Thanks again. Bob

[@Aero19612]

@@MrBebopbob Yep. I have that same tape wrapped around my filter wheel and OAG. And now a couple of layers around the filter drawer. One day I’ll have clear skies again and be able to check it out. Maybe. I know what you mean about neighbor’s lights. No big flood lights for me to deal with, but the neighbor behind me has lights in their trees. I’m pretty sure that’s why my images of M81/M82 are always a little weird. I keep looking at that BB gun in my closet (had it since I was 7). Yes, I think the Antlia TriBand would help. I shot 40 deg from a relatively bright Moon and see no difference when the Moon was new. I’ll test that more one day.

[@Ronbo765]

Are you using a ZWO filter drawer? I believe they upgraded the drawer due to light leakage issues.

[@Aero19612]

Interesting. It is the ZWO filter drawer, but I just bought it so I’m assuming it’s the most recent model. Who knows, maybe my “guess” that it’s from light leaking through the filter drawer is wrong. More work to do on my end…but only if the sky clears

[@LogansAstro]

Great video. Love videos that talk about the interesting features of a target imaged and that info about the collision simulation just adds enormously to the image, I think. Good to see the Antlia triband filter capturing the Ha well as I still have my 294MCPro which I'm planning to pair with my Samyang f2 135mm lens and now that I have sold both my L-eNhance and L-eXtreme filters, I'm looking for a replacement filter. Any hint of halos? (I hate halos!!😡🤣). I'm also looking at the Antlia golden filter for narrowband stuff.

[@Aero19612]

Thanks for watching, Logan. I also have the dualband filter but have not used it yet. As for halos, not yet. But, to be fair, none of my images have a really bright star in them. I like how my Antlia 3nm Pro filters work so I’m hoping these two Antlia filters are halo resistant as well.

[@screetch82]

Hi i assumed OSC with only UVIR Filter is best, as the more you filter the more signal you loose. Seems however with the filter you seem to get a much better image which highlights the right parts of a galaxy. What are your thoughts on Triband vs no when e.g. there is little light polution

[@Aero19612]

Hi Norman. If you have little light pollution, I’d go with no filter. The Antlia cuts out a good bit of light - counterproductive if there’s no light pollution. Of course, you’ll need a dualband or Ha filter to get the Ha, if that’s something you’re interested in. Thanks for watching!

[@anata5127]

Where is that supernova, that was discovered 4-5 days ago?

[@Aero19612]

I need to go back and check my images. I wasn’t aware of the supernova until reading the comments here. Thanks for pointing it out!

[@anata5127]

@@Aero19612 It is very bright. 10-15 sec frame easily get it.

[@Aero19612]

@@anata5127 Well it’s going to have to be pretty darn bright for me to see it through these clouds. Looks like my 5/17/23 images just missed the explosion…

[@anata5127]

@@Aero19612 I You will not miss it. It still increases brightness. You have 6-9 months to take pictures.

[@Aero19612]

@@anata5127 finally had a clear night last night and spent most of the night imaging M101. Very bright indeed. And very blue. Glad I finally got to image it. Will try again tonight if the sky cooperates.