jerryy

Hmmm, there are some things you might try.
Assuming you are using .raf frames, jpeg or tiff* frames do not work well for astro stuff, open one of the raw sub frames in your favorite raw converter (even Fujifilm’s Raw Converter will work) and push the ev exposure all the way to the right, in the + direction, as far as +3 ev or as far as it sill go. You should see nebula stuff showing up, it may be faint, but if that frame has any, you will see something. Based on the image you posted, there is a pretty good chance you have some of Barnard’s Loop hiding there.
You are probably using Windows since DSS does not run on macOS, have you considered using Siril https://siril.org ? It will work with .raf files without needing to convert them.
edit: I should also mention ASTAP: https://www.hnsky.org/astap.htm works with .raf files.
edit: Affinity Photo, which you have probably heard about more as an image editor, has an entire built in section for astrophotography and has some macros written by James Ritson (one of the developers) that some folks like.
Starnet is a free version of Star Exterminator, it works with both PixInsight and Siril or as a standalone app. It has its fans and detractors like any other plugin, but it may give you some help for stretching the starless nebula regions. https://www.starnetastro.com/download/
Welcome to the next, altogether different kind of fun step of astrophotography, processing the images. Very different from the fun of getting the images.
* tiff frames that are still linear will work, but tiff frames that come from converting raw frames do not work well because they have had a tone curve (essentially stretching the image) applied to them.

A whirlpool in space ...

M51 The Whirlpool Galaxy (larger object on the left) and NGC 5195 (smaller object on the right). Located not too far from the Big Dipper -- Ursa Major. This is equivalent to a just over 97 minute exposure.
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2017/messier-51-the-whirlpool-galaxy
https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-51-whirlpool-galaxy/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlpool_Galaxy
 

Hi Jerry.......used Deep Sky Stacker and I was playing around with the photo in Pixinsight, I was pushing and pulling using GHS and I couldn't really see any differences or nebula...........I thought I was going to be able to see something.  I haven't tried separating the stars yet, thought about purchasing star exterminator.

This is pretty good. How did you go about stacking the sub-frames?
I think once you recover from the fun you had, and decide to start editing, you will find a lot of detail in this image.
More please.

First attempt at a tracked photo, Orion, 16mm 1.4, shot at f2, 20 60 second exposures stacked, no editing done......yet. Welcome any tips/opinions.

I love it!!!  I wanted to photograph it in DE, alas, it was cloudy!

So far, it seems like the eclipse is no different visually in the sky than the normal waxing and waning. But as the Moon drifts deeper into the Shadow, the rest of the Moon re-appears tinted red.


Full eclipse.
3 / 3.

The Shadow is winning, the Moon is disappearing.
2 / 3.

Red Head ...



I believe these are House Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus).
 

Guys,
The Brazilian tech service gave me an important info: this model has a setup option in the config menu which allows the camera keep recording in Higher temperatures.
As i said, my camera is brand new and was set to STD auto power off temp.
Probably it Will keep getting hot, but i believe  it Will keep recording since i changed the set up. 
 
Of course the information was avaliable in the manual PDF but i did not read it until now.
best regards all 
 

the eclipse is here!  unfortunately, it is realllllllly cloudy here, says I have to drive over an hour to have a reasonable "chance" to see it......debating.

Just a quick reminder, the Earth is supposed to eclipse the Moon soon.

https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/moon/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-march-2025-total-lunar-eclipse/
https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2025-march-14
🤔 As far as I know, a host of dragons is not going to erupt out of the dark side of the Moon and swoop down to devour the Earth.

December 21, 2024, Winter Solstice Day.

Locally, winter is unpacking the sled and looking around for the best digs to stay a while. Those cool misty mornings and colorful landscapes are finished for this year.

Something like this should work for you:
https://www.smallrig.com/smallrig-l-bracket-for-fujifilm-x-s10-camera-3086.html
It is Arcs-Swiss compatible, as is a lot of Benro tripods, or if your tripod’s ball head is not, you should be able to swap the ball head for one that is Arca Swiss compatible fairly inexpensively.
Note: AliExpress and various auction sites carry similar l brackets for the X-S10.

At The Cross Roads...

The North Celestial Pole.
Alpha UMi is the designation astronomers give Polaris. Although it does not seem to move if you casually watch it; from the watcher's perspective, Polaris does rotate 'round and round' the celestial pole, it just does it verrrry imperceptibly. There is a corresponding south celestial pole and Earth rotates around that polar line, making the stars in the sky seem to go in circles.
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