Sharing my attempt at M20 in Ha. I was unaware of the extent of hydrogen nebulosities around the Trifid Nebula, so it was a pleasant surprise to notice so many interesting structures, especially in the top right and bottom right corners.
Yes quite extensive Ha, not usually highlighted in images of M20, look forward to what you do with this one Suavi generally I don't recon M20 looks very aesthetically appealing in full narrowband... maybe an NB-LRGB hibrid, that will likely be pretty cool.
Thank you Colin. I figured I better learn how to get the most of my 4” before, if ever, I invest in a larger guide scope.
Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
Yes quite extensive Ha, not usually highlighted in images of M20, look forward to what you do with this one Suavi generally I don't recon M20 looks very aesthetically appealing in full narrowband... maybe an NB-LRGB hibrid, that will likely be pretty cool.
Mike
Thank you Mike and challenge accepted - going to try putting together aesthetically acceptable 100% pure narrowband
Quote:
Originally Posted by Decimus
Beautiful image, Suavi. What camera did you use? Just when I am considering buying a OSC CCD camera and you deliver this gorgeous monochrome image!
Cheers,
Richard
Glad you like it Richard. It’s QSI 690 wsg-8 with ICX-814 sensor. It’s a very nice sensor IMHO, when paired with an under 1m focal length. I’m sure you thought of pros and cons of mono vs OSC; I have tried both and personally prefer mono.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryderscope
Lots of nice deep detail in the core of the nebula there Suavi.
Thank you Rodney. It was a bit of a challenge to show faint bits and the core without making the nebula looking too flat.
Great start Suavi
Looks like we're going to have a narrowband Trifid-off as it's also my current project
Let the games begin!
I look forward to your interpretation of the Trifid Andy
Your impressive signature clearly indicates who is going to dominate in this Trifid-off, but I will do what I can, given the skies will clear up
Just to set the bar - attached is a comparison with the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in northern Chile. I have noticed a streamer/beam in my data (just below the cursor) and it was nice to confirm it was a real thing with the ESO image.
Last edited by Slawomir; 04-07-2019 at 02:13 PM.
Reason: Trifid-off
Looking forward to seeing the end product Suavi. You've certainly gone very deep in Ha - great detail.
Kevin
Thank you Kevin. Unfortunately we are having unusually wet dry season at the moment in Central QLD with possible flooding so will need to wait a bit for clear skies.
It is interesting to see the really stark difference between what shows up in HA and what shows up in the red channel of my OSC camera.
There is dust that stands out hugely in my red channel that almost does not show in your HA, but then the dust lanes in the middle of the nebula are a lot sharper in HA only than my red channel. Looking at the stars though I really think I need to try a UV-IR cut filter even with my SCT. If I lean toward replacing that scope later with an SCT more suited to imaging then it is not wasted money, but the scope itself is really not intended for this stuff, the coma and curvature are a little depressing compared to what other people are doing with more suitable gear.
It is interesting to see the really stark difference between what shows up in HA and what shows up in the red channel of my OSC camera.
There is dust that stands out hugely in my red channel that almost does not show in your HA, but then the dust lanes in the middle of the nebula are a lot sharper in HA only than my red channel.
Your comment Paul about the red showing up much more prominently in your image triggered my curiosity, so I dared to put two images side by side to identify the area of your red channel not showing in my Ha - honestly I am not sure which red area is not showing in Ha. But your image shows so many more stars!
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Originally Posted by gregbradley
Another wonderfully detailed CFF image. So sharp for such a small aperture.
Dare I say as sharp or perhaps even sharper than an FSQ?
Your tracking is a little off and that pulled down what could be an even sharper image. Perhaps a tad of PS sharpening that corrects for motion blur?
Greg.
Thank you Greg. I am suspecting my FTF having a bit of play, because this tilt disappears completely when taking subs with the scope pointing up vertically, while it is most noticeable when the scope is pointing closer to the horizon.
Side by side, your HA on the left versus my red on the right. Ignoring the bloating that I am not sure if at this point is a result of 2200mm focal length challenging the guiding and seeing, or the same sort of issues that the IR cut resolved on my refractor. When I have some spare cash I will get the filter for the SCT and find out.
This is what I was meaning before, there is much nicer detail in your HA in the middle of the nebula, but conversely there is some obscured areas in my red channel (Which obviously covers the HA) that do not seem to appear in HA only.
Fascinating Paul, thank you for clarification. Perhaps some red is coming from SII (deep red) and NII (almost identical in colour to Ha) and some other emission lines that your broadband Red filter lets through
The bottom left near the bright star - there seem to be more signal in Ha than in your Red though. This gives me hopes that NII and SII might contribute some different information to the composite.
): 
generally I don't recon M20 looks very aesthetically appealing in full narrowband...
maybe an NB-LRGB hibrid, that will likely be pretty cool.
