NGC 3293 - proof of concept

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

This was just a test image, while waiting for the Moon to set so I could hit The Dark Doodad.

Since installing the FSQ-FLI16803 rig, side by side with the AG12 F3.8 Newt last year, I have been happily banging away with wide fields and I am quite happy with the results.

So last session I decided to swap over to the high resolution AG12-SXH694 rig after a 6 month hiatus, just for fun while I waited.

Had to be something bright given there was a 50% Moon up...so I decided to shoot the bright open cluster NGC 3293 in Carina near the Gabriela Misteral Nebula and known as The Gem Cluster. It sits amongst some nice HII as well so thought it might make for a nice quicky image

I shot LHaRGB but the seeing was pretty crap so I ended up ditching the Lum because it was just too soft and bloated and went for a straight RHaGB of just 1.5hrs total exposure.

Certainly not ideal conditions and way too little data for a good colour image but meah... it turned out ok considering and it was good to know that I can swap to using the AG12-SXH694 rig anytime in a matter of minutes

I might need to tweek collimation too as I haven't since re-positioning and mounting all the FSQ-FLI hardware and massive counterweights..in fact I haven't touched the collimation since Sept 2014 actually

One cool thing, the finder, mounted on the side of and aligned to the TakFSQ, placed my alignment star just 5min from image centre using the much longer FL and much smaller FOV of the AG12-SXH694....sheesh , I couldn't have got all three OTA's this parallel if I had tried! and I was fully expecting to have to use some iterative trial and error to get an alignment star in the small FOV..Ha!.fluke

NGC 3293

Slightly bigger file here

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

The AG12 really does make images pop. That's a nice cluster on it's own. The Ha in the background tops it all off.

[RickS (Rick)]

Very pretty, Mike. Jewels on red velvet

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

A very pretty and compelling "test" shot Mike! Love it. Rich but not overdone colours.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Nice one Mike

Have you tried the smaller pixels on the FSQ yet?

[Andy01 (Andy)]

That's a familiar target!
Nice job Mike

[LewisM]

I think you proved it, now make it so Number 1.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by cometcatcher

The AG12 really does make images pop. That's a nice cluster on it's own. The Ha in the background tops it all off.

Thanks Kevin, was certainly weird looking at such a small field of view again...my eyes have grown accustomed to a huge field, usually full of wall to wall tiny stars, where at 3.5"/pix, the seeing quality is hardly noticeable, every shot is pin sharp ....but not at 0.83"/pix

Originally Posted by RickS

Very pretty, Mike. Jewels on red velvet

Yeah, good description Rick ...that might make a good line in a song too...

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

A very pretty and compelling "test" shot Mike! Love it. Rich but not overdone colours.

Thanks Marcus, had to dip my toes back in higher res imaging...just for a bit

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Nice one Mike

Have you tried the smaller pixels on the FSQ yet?

Cheers Dunk...what? and waste a fully corrected and well illuminated 88mm diameter image circle on a 12.5mm X 10mm postage stamp chip ...never

Originally Posted by Andy01

That's a familiar target!
Nice job Mike

Cheers Andy was nice to get back to higher res imaging..even if it was only briefly

Originally Posted by LewisM

I think you proved it, now make it so Number 1.

Sorry, missing the slang here...wadda ya mean

[LewisM]

I thought you were a Star Trek nerd...my bad

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

I thought you were a Star Trek nerd...my bad

Aaaaah riiight ..the kinda first Spock.....?

[gregbradley]

Good shot of a compelling glob. I imaged this widefield recently. Yet to be processed. Its a lovely area.

Greg.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Good shot of a compelling glob. I imaged this widefield recently. Yet to be processed. Its a lovely area.

Greg.

He he he, thanks Greg...but t'is an open cluster dude

Mike

[beren]

Great image Mike.......that must be a sight with the NJP mount carrying all that gear

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by beren

Great image Mike.......that must be a sight with the NJP mount carrying all that gear

He he yeah, you should'a seen me when I was mounting everything by myself!!! sliding counterweights on and off while holding the massive load...made me sweat and I had more than a low level of fear doing it all by myself ...but hey, I still got it ...well some of it...ok, not that much really...too much beer

[atalas]

Wonderful cluster and nebula Mike well composed for a test shot don't you think?

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by atalas

Wonderful cluster and nebula Mike well composed for a test shot don't you think?

Cheers Louie, I stay well composed, even when testing

Mike

[DJT (David)]

Big fan of this open cluster and looks like for a test shot you’ve done it proud.

Noice.

[multiweb (Marc)]

+1 Great cluster to image with that red neb. Nice colours too.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by DJT

Big fan of this open cluster and looks like for a test shot you’ve done it proud.

Noice.

Originally Posted by multiweb

+1 Great cluster to image with that red neb. Nice colours too.

Cheers Dave and Marc, glad you liked my micro data image

Mike

[Atmos (Colin)]

Really nice field Mike! It makes me want to shoot some open clusters, something I haven't done except for incidental capture in wide field shots :/