This log relates to the following Observation Report: NGC 7000, My Progress in 1 Month.
22:13 – Once again, the first log entry is after I’ve already got everything running. Let’s jump straight into what I’m doing today, and how it differs from previous attempts:
- I’m using ISO 1600, instead of ISO 400.
- I’m leaving the camera to run in batches again, but I’m going to be less hands-on during the runs. Instead, I’m going to be inside writing my log and watching Shaun of the Dead.
- I’ve got my new lens set up which is 200mm max focal length (upgraded from 55mm max) and has a firmer focus ring.
I’m aiming for the North American Nebula, hoping for an improvement over my previous attempt’s results. The increased focal length, combined with the higher ISO will hopefully allow me to a higher level of detail and colour.
Tonight’s conditions aren’t great, I’ll admit. Guilty as charged: I keep going out when I probably shouldn’t bother. While there are some clouds around, more offensively, there are strong winds in my area. To minimise the impact of the wind, I’ve placed my camera in a corner of the garden. It couldn’t be directly against a wall, as I needed to be able to see Polaris for my alignment, but it is hopefully tucked away enough that it’s bombarded less than it otherwise would have been.
22:21 – My current batch of 20 photos will finish at 22:28. At that time, I’ll check my focus, check my alignment, and then start the next 20. The plan is to repeat this cycle over and over until the weather conditions get too harsh, or I get tired.
22:30 – Things are looking good. I checked the exposures, and they all look good. In fact, in a single exposure, I can see the silhouettes of the various nebulae in the constellation. I’d have loved to have gone up to 90, or even 120-second exposures, but there’s too much wind for me to feel confident in doing so. My alignment seems to be spot on, there’s no visible movement at all between frames. My focus seems to be holding strong as well. I’ve started the next batch, setting it for 30 this time. While the wind continues to hold off my confidence, this all looks good so far. Meanwhile, in Shaun of the Dead, Shaun has arrived at his Mum’s house and is planning on killing his stepdad. The next batch will be done at exactly 23:00.
23:03 – The last batch finished, all looks good. I checked everything again, and it was all pretty much spot-on. I adjusted the focus, just for the sake of ensuring it was as good as it could be, and the alignment is unchanged. It looks like we’re starting to get some clouds rolling in. They’re dotted around here and there. Some images will have definitely fallen victim to them. With any luck, I’m hoping most of what I’m capturing now will be usable. The single frames are looking strong, so here’s to hoping that carries over to the final image. The next batch of 30 finishes at 23:33. (They’re now hauled up in The Winchester, and Shaun just arrived after giving the zombies ‘the slip’… Or did he?!)
23:35 – I’ve just gone to check after the last batch finished, and I’ve decided this is the time to call it for tonight’s session. The clouds are very much here in full force. I’ve brought the mount closer to the house, and I have put the lens cap on so I can take 15 dark frames. These dark frames will finish at 23:50. At that point, I’ll bring it in and that’ll be me done for the evening.
While I’m a bit gutted I couldn’t keep it running for at least another hour or so, I’m glad I was able to squeeze this small session in. Depending on how the clouds were behaving throughout, I’m hoping to see somewhere up to/around 60 minutes of exposure time. I’m optimistic that the higher ISO and focal lengths will yield a much stronger final product. Assuming I’m happy with the end result, I think the final blocker for me and this target will just be the weather. I’m still waiting for that one, magical evening where it’s 0% cloud coverage throughout. It’s yet to happen, and I’ve been watching like a hawk. Sooner or later, it’ll happen.
Camera: Nikon D5600
ISO-Speed: 1600
F-stop: f/5.6
Exposure time: 47 minutes (47*60)
Description: The North American Nebula and the Pelican Nebula.
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