1st Attempt IC 2948 Running Chicken Nebula

[Startrek (Martin)]

My 1st attempt of the Running chook
Unfortunately my focal length and sensor size can only capture around 40% of this huge Nebula
25 x 4 minute dithered subs
15 x darks
ISO 800
Canon 600D unmodded
PHD2 guiding
Jetstream was running around 65 to 70kt that night so my tracking and guiding was ordinary but I did manage to pick up the black spec dust clouds
Also once again the DSLR was warm at 29 deg C so lots of noise to contend with even with dithering
In retrospect I should have placed the main star Lambda Centauri towards one corner rather than smack dab in the centre of frame
Can only improve
Cheers

[RyanJones]

Nice work Martin,

I learned very early on to compare star positions in other images to decide where to frame my shots. When I did the running chook the other night, my goto centralised on lambda centuri too. Comparing to other images, I moved it to the top left as you suggested. Cone nebula is another prime example of an object where the NGC designation doesn't include a lot of the feild of interest and as such has to be reframed.

Great detail Martin. Sees like you're getting a good amount of imaging time at the moment.

[Paulyman (Paul)]

Looking great Martin. I still can’t get over the reduction in noise from the dithering. That shock wave running next to Lambda Centauri looks awesome. I managed some Ha on this last weekend but the seeing was terrible and my focus was soft. The great thing about this hobby is that it is still waiting for us to capture photons the next clear night.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Thanks Ryan
Still learning composition, framing and AP strategies, the more you image and process the more things you find out what your not doing quite right
Retirement = More Imaging Time
Although I’m busy for 4 weeks with a nieces wedding and family visits up the north coast. Hopefully imaging again at Easter
Thanks Paul
I’m trying not to get AP burn out , a break once in a while is good I think even if you might miss some good nights, life has other priorities when your a Grand Pa. Somtimes I’d wished I started this Astro journey earlier in my life but it is what it is and I’m super excited that I started in the first place
Clear Skies
Cheers

[RyanJones]

I think that finding new things, tweeks etc never stops and each tine you make adjustments or changes to your gear, it all changes again. What you're producing so early on in your AP journey is fantastic so keep it up

[Capt_buscemi (Mark)]

Excellent work! Agreed, dithering has made a big difference, still trying to get my head around that myself.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Mark
Thanks for the kind comment
Here’s an image of M83 without dithering and a month later with dithering at same no of exposures and ISO etc
The difference is quite obvious
Dithering is a must using a DSLR at exposures greater than a minute

[xelasnave]

Sorry I missed this one Martin...I have missed a few..dont know why...but I like it cause its well done...I want to get it sometime ..I did a wide field but it did not turn out so well.
Alex

[Startrek (Martin)]

Thanks Alex
I could have spent more time processing but happy with the result
Maybe using the filter module in Startools to remove the remaining red pixels in the sky background might have improved the final image and a few other tweaks

[Ant0nio (Tony)]

Very nice Martin you guys have been busy.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Thanks Tony
Yes there’s been some late nights and early mornings
Bit of a break now for a couple of weeks