Messier 33 Spiral Galaxy in Triangulum [Explored]

90 x 90 second exposures -135 minutes.

Gain 100, Offset 50 @ -5c

Guiding with PHD2/Primaluce 240 F/4 guider.

 

RA RMS error 0.62 arcsec

Dec RMS error 0.51 arcsec

 

Polar alignment error 0.3 arc minute (PoleMaster).

Resolution 0.987 arcsec/pixel

 

50 x darks

Flats not usable - see below.

 

Im now using a ZWO ASI2600MC Pro as my main OSC camera and SharpCap 4.0 as my acquisition software.

 

Still on the learning curve. After a few goes, I was able to use plate solving in SharpCap 4/ASTAP to GOTO M33 without star aligning the EQ6 mount (3-4 seconds at gain 700).

 

Optimal exposures are still a bit of a guessing game: 2 minutes (Gain 100, Offset 50 at -5c) seems to equate to 10 minutes on my uncooled modified Canon 80D so I tried 90 seconds here which seemed to work well.

 

I had less luck with my EL panel flats - I took 50 x flats at 3000ms/2200ms/1800ms and 1725ms but all were too bright and caused negative vignetting! - will try a range of lower values next time. the recommended values from the Smart Histogram tool seem way off to me.

 

Havent got my Moonlite electronic focuser fully setup to use the automated multi-star FWHM tool either. Will need to bench test that.

 

Also differential flexure somewhere in the system - stars were oval but guiding good. My guidescope rings only just grip the scope and I think they got loose as the night progressed, the scope got more vertical and temperature dropped.

I ran PixInsight’s FWHM eccentricity tool which told me there was no significant sensor tilt. Have replaced the guide rings with some spares

 

Apart from that, not too bad!!!

Done