NGC6302, the bug

[Paul Haese]

This object has been on my imaging list for ever. I really am intrigued by this planetary nebula as it has such an interesting look.

I don't really have enough data yet but this is a little taste. Unfortunately my STXL has crapped out again and will soon be off to the work shop again. So this will have to be the best I can do for now.

I have sort of used the palette of one of the Hubble images. Star colours are not what I am after but overall I like the detail myself (must have stolen that too I suppose ).

BTW this image was done with 10 minute subs. First time I have done this for a long time. Ray don't fall off your chair.

Click here for larger resolution image.

Feel free to comment.

[Slawomir (Suavi)]

I think it already looks spectacular

Sorry about the camera Paul, hopefully it will get fixed quickly and effectively.

[gregbradley]

Wow, that looks fantastic. Looking forward to the final image.

Greg

[Atmos (Colin)]

Hubble data stolen!!

Very nice Paul, it's not one that I have seen done by amateurs often but that's nice resolution

[billdan (Bill)]

That looks really good Paul, definitely a bug of some sort. Gee the Universe can produce some weird objects, like Greg's RCW58 as well.

Cheers
Bill

[RickS (Rick)]

Looks like a great start, Paul. It's an intriguing target. Sorry to hear about the camera...

Cheers,
Rick.

[Ryderscope (Rodney)]

And a fine bug it is too, just lurking there in space waiting for us to catch it.
Thanks for posting Paul. Let's get that camera back quickly.

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

Excellent! Extraordinarily sharp detail in the brightest bits.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

That's one damn fine bug you've got there, Paul. Nice work!

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys for the comments. It is a lovely looking PN and quite bright too. I did not expect it would be so bright, but the Ha appeared quite bright in only minutes. The OIII though was quite dim.

[Regulus (Trevor)]

As you say, it's a fascinating nebula Paul.
Really is worth looking at the HiRes, and I love the subdued colours you've used for this.

Trevor

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Coming along nicely Paul. You may need to consider taking some shorter subs to avoid blowing out the very bright centre.
Geoff

[astronobob (Bob)]

Thats pretty Awesome Paul, , !

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys for the comments. Geoff I think I would need to go pretty short to capture the core in detail. I have toned down the centre a bit so you can see more of the detail. The torus is now visible. I also collected a bit more data in OIII which was not cloud affected.

The camera is now on its way back to the US for repair. I am hoping for a speedy repair, so no more collection until after it gets back.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Crikey, that is good - beautiful colour and resolution.

thanks for the warning, managed to stay seated. Whatever subs you used, they worked!

[Paul Haese]

Originally Posted by Shiraz

Crikey, that is good - beautiful colour and resolution.

thanks for the warning, managed to stay seated. Whatever subs you used, they worked!

Thanks Ray. I just wish I had more focal length on this object.

Just experimenting with shorter subs on some of the brighter objects.

[Ross G]

A great photo of an amzing looking object Paul.

I love the detail and colour.

So sharp!

Ross.