First Night with a "Real" Astro Camera

Colorado CJ

Well-Known Member
I decided to upgrade to a "real" astro camera. It is a cooled CMOS B&W camera meant to use with filters to obtain a color image and also narrow band imaging.

I got my ASI183MM Pro, filters and filter wheel in Wednesday. Last night was the first test of the new equipment.

It took a little while for me to get everything set up, figure out the settings to use on the camera, then to start actually imaging.

Using these Astro Cameras is A LOT different than using a DSLR, I have a lot to learn yet.

Anyway, because it took so long getting everything set right, I only got a chance to shoot in B&W. I decided to shoot the Rosetta Nebula in Hydrogen Alpha.

This is a 90 minute total integration (9, 10 minute exposures at 179 gain).

I only shot 3 dark frames, no flats, dark flats or anything else.

So far i am VERY pleased with what I see.

 

JimFox

Moderator
Staff member
Wow! This is really awesome Andrew! Even in B&W the detail is pretty mind blowing.

Congrats on getting that dedicated camera, it's going to help lift your results astronomically. :)
 

AlanLichty

Moderator
Wow - if this is just getting started I can't wait to see what you can do once you get used to the new camera.
 

Nilo Photography

Well-Known Member
I decided to upgrade to a "real" astro camera. It is a cooled CMOS B&W camera meant to use with filters to obtain a color image and also narrow band imaging.

I got my ASI183MM Pro, filters and filter wheel in Wednesday. Last night was the first test of the new equipment.

It took a little while for me to get everything set up, figure out the settings to use on the camera, then to start actually imaging.

Using these Astro Cameras is A LOT different than using a DSLR, I have a lot to learn yet.

Anyway, because it took so long getting everything set right, I only got a chance to shoot in B&W. I decided to shoot the Rosetta Nebula in Hydrogen Alpha.

This is a 90 minute total integration (9, 10 minute exposures at 179 gain).

I only shot 3 dark frames, no flats, dark flats or anything else.

So far i am VERY pleased with what I see.

Whoa...never seen astro in black and white. I like it...great shot!
 

Mike Lewis

Staff Member
Andrew,
Bingo! I knew you would love getting a dedicated astro camera! You are seeing 3 of the advantages you get right away on this image:

  • The cooled camera has a lot less noise on long exposures than a DSLR
  • The mono camera when fitted with a narrowband filter like the Hydrogen-alpha one you are using here, really can give you great contrast on the right targets, as it ONLY passes the wavelength you seek, and greatly attenuates all the others (which include the majority of the light pollution...)
  • Every pixel of the camera is sensitive to whatever filter passband you place in front of it, giving you a resolution advantage over a DSLR with a Bayer color filter permanently installed. So you have gotten a very nicely detailed image as a result
this is a very fun result. You have gotten predictably great details on the Rosette, with lots of yummy Bok Globules, and other neato astro objects appearing in the nebula. You will also be able to go back and gather some RGB data at a later time if you want and combine it with this. When imaging an emission nebula like this one, lots of folks do a LRGB (luminance, red, green, blue) combo and use the H-a image stack that you have used here for the luminance layer. That allows you to get a colorized version but with some extra nice details. And with proper processing, you can also get accurately colored stars using this type of technique too.

You have been moving at light speed (pun intended) on your progress through the hobby, and with your new camera you are now really ready to get some serious results.

Congrats on a great first light!

ML
 

Colorado CJ

Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone.

Wouldn't you know it, clouds are thick tonight :(. I was hoping to get the LRGB filter data to add to this, but it will have to wait.

I am very excited to see what I can get now that I have the right equipment. The DSLR was great, but as Mike stated, really puts limits on what you can achieve.

I'll definitely be posting back with updates once I can shoot through the other filters.
 

Tom Narwid

Well-Known Member
I decided to upgrade to a "real" astro camera. It is a cooled CMOS B&W camera meant to use with filters to obtain a color image and also narrow band imaging.

I got my ASI183MM Pro, filters and filter wheel in Wednesday. Last night was the first test of the new equipment.

It took a little while for me to get everything set up, figure out the settings to use on the camera, then to start actually imaging.

Using these Astro Cameras is A LOT different than using a DSLR, I have a lot to learn yet.

Anyway, because it took so long getting everything set right, I only got a chance to shoot in B&W. I decided to shoot the Rosetta Nebula in Hydrogen Alpha.

This is a 90 minute total integration (9, 10 minute exposures at 179 gain).

I only shot 3 dark frames, no flats, dark flats or anything else.

So far i am VERY pleased with what I see.

Beautiful detail,contrast and sharpness.
 
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