DSO 3 - M31 and NGC 884

We were blessed with a nice clear sky last night in Cork so I just had to go out and play.
Here are stacked/processed photos of Andromeda galaxy and the double cluster NGC 884 with
some photoshop voodoo applied.

OTA: WO 72mm Megrez w/ Moonlite Focuser & SkyWatcher FF & LPR Filter

Camera: Nikon D3100 14.2mp

Mount: HEQ5 Pro

Exposures: 10

Exposure: 45sec

ISO: 400

OTA: WO 72mm Megrez w/ Moonlite Focuser & SkyWatcher FF & LPR Filter

Camera: Nikon D3100 14.2mp

Mount: HEQ5 Pro

Exposures: 1

Exposure: 1min

ISO: 3200

These were all unguided using the HEQ5 Pro. Just some accurate polar alignment.

The SkyWatcher FF (which I got from Stephen at KTEC) made a huge difference while imaging with the 72mm Megrez, as you can see from this shot without the FF:

DSO 2 - My First M31 Andromeda Galaxy Image

Last night we finally saw an end to the seemingly perminent grey weather and were blessed some some clear skies. I've been itching to give my Megrez 72 it's first imaging run and chose M31 as my target, as it was positioned very conveniently in the sky. Here are the results

OTA: WO 72mm Megrez w/ Moonlite Focuser

Camera: Nikon D3100 14.2mp

Mount: HEQ5 Pro

Exposures: 1

Exposure: 1min

ISO: 3200

My next goal is a guided image of M31 using an OAG and Orion Starshoot Autoguider.

I foresee that acquiring a guide star will prove difficult, as I learned last night while trying to use PHD. However, I'm sure with a little patience and luck I'll succeed.