30 seconds max, why?

I've found lots of ads for books.
Here is a brief tutorial for some open source stacking software, which I've heard is quite good.
http://www.russsscope.net/staxtutorial.htm

If I find anything else, I'll let you know

Thanks Father Ted

I'm quite interesting in astrophotography, I always had an simple telescope as a kid (I sound so old )
Need the digg in a bit further in the matter to see what can be done.

I'm really amazed what greyhoundman has done, it's fascinating

What kind of exposure time do you use, if you use long exposures you probable need a tracking system right?

I think the longest I used was about 2 mins...oh, except for a 35 minute star trail.
I didn't get any really good shots. A few average ones of the moon, but I struggled with the planets, having to guess exposure times etc ( i was using a Super ME ).

Since getting my istDL, i've either not had the time, or it has been cloudy, so I've only got to use it on my telescope once. But I'm hoping to get out over Christmas while I'm off.

As you say about greyhoundman, interesting stuff, I'll have to have a good read of that. Mine is a refractor 'scope, but I've just been given a reflector, not sure on the spec, I'll pick it up over Christmas

Too bad you didn't had another chance, I would like to see more from you and your telescope.

That isn't that long I was already thinking about times against the 10 minutes or so
Why did you need such a long exposure of the star trail was it so dim?

It looks quite simple to make one, we have a CNC on school so we might be able to make a parabolic mirror of any size... maybe use a softer materiale (faster milling cheaper for us) and use a reflective fabric or some sort or coat it, hmmm... i need to think about that

I haven't really had any noise issues on shots of 2 to 3 mins when using ISO of up to 800

I'm off over Christmas, so I'm hoping to get more chance...if we ever get a clear night around here!

Star trails are very easy, but do take time. Centre the camera on Polaris ( the north star ), and leave the shutter open. As the earth rotates, the north star should stay as a fairly small dot, ( the greater the accuracy centering it, the smaller the dot ) and the other stars should create an arc around it. So, the length of time is not to allow more light in, it is to allow the stars to travel further across the sky.

I'll see if I can find mine and scan it to put on here.

I don't use a tracking mount at this time. I've been using a series of newtonian scopes from 4.5" to 8".
Using Registax or Deep Sky Stacker, you can stack hundreds of 30 second subs to get a better photo.

Star trails>
You can set up the camera and tripod, then set the exposure for 30 seconds. Now set the shutter for continuous shots. A locking remote is excellent to keep from bumping the camera. The camera will now take let's say 100 shots. These are then stacked to give a complete star trail. Far less noise, and you don't have to be there.

I've found mine, I had scanned it. I've put it in the gallery.