An utterly futile but amusing Hubble comparison ...

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

I know Hubble comparisons are Mike's turf, but I couldn't resist - it's full moon after all . The recent Hubble image of part of M66 was just amazing so I thought I'd compare the gross detail in a scaled down version to a 200% scaled up version of my image taken recently.

Behold ... a Hubblonio of M66!! My version (brightness & contrast compensated) on the left (or is that the right?). The gross detail is a good match and even some of the finer detail is there! Utterly futile I know, but it brought a smile to my face!

[David Fitz-Henr]

Interesting comparison, Marcus - and your image even beats the Hubble by showing a couple of the galactic stars as much brighter!! Perhaps you've captured some simultaneous micro-lensing events !!!

[gregbradley]

It really is surprising how good amateur images are. Of course the Hubble image you can just keep going into it deeper and deeper with more and more detail.

Its that extra bit of resolution that costs the $2 billion! Much like APOs.

Greg.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Close...and just goes to show you how far amateur astronomy has come in recent years. Look at it this way, grab your scope and stick it in orbit. Hubble's image may be brighter but your resolution would be pretty damn impressive

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

I know Hubble comparisons are Mike's turf, but I couldn't resist...Behold ... a Hubblonio of M66!!

we think our APO's are HST's...there, there, shhhhhh, it's ok the white van will be here soon....

The stars seem elongated...?

[Bassnut (Fred)]

umm, that would be SCTs or RCs (or neuts) Mike, something large, with a MIRROR in it .

I cant tell any diff at all Marc, at all, excellent comparison, and a top image

[Phil Hart]

not futile at all.. very impressive.

seriously.. before hubble (ie twenty years ago), did any other observatory have an image as good as what you have now?

'amateur' astronomy is incredible..

[RobF (Rob)]

+1 for what Phil said. What an amazing time to be an amateur astronomer/imager. Fascinating comparison, and really does bring home the high standard of your work now.

[sjastro]

Sorry for sounding negative but what's being compared?
If you want a comparison try a full resolution images.

Regards

Steven

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

Aaahh Steven, you're missing the point mate.

Thanks all ... really, just a bit of fun while the moon is up . But I guess it was gratifying to see that the fine detail I teased out from a mere 5.9" aperture was in fact real (for the most part).

Cheers, Marcus

[sjastro]

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

Aaahh Steven, you're missing the point mate.

Not at all Marcus. I'm referring to some of the comments that seem to take this comparison seriously.

Regards

Steven