NGC 2070 Tarantula Nebula, Sydney Bortle 8

[Startrek (Martin)]

Captured NGC 2070 Tarantula on Tuesday night in Sydney using the new ZWOASI2600MC and ZWO 2” Duoband filter. A beautiful night / morning in Sydney , no moon , no dew, no bugs and good seeing
Started at 11.30pm and finished around 2.00am when my roof blocked the line of sight
6” f6 Bintel GSO newt on EQ6-R mount
42 x 3 minute dithered guided subs
No darks
No flats
Ascom drive set to Lowest read noise ( Gain 100 offset 50 )
Camera cooling at -15C
Goto and navigation EQMOD and Ascom Stellarium
Captured with APT
PHD2 guiding ( 0.80 to 0.90 total arc sec error )
Stacked in DSS
Processed in Startools V1.6 Linear OSC data set using the Composite module for colour
Image Version 1 Blue Green synthetic composite to produce Cyan
Image Version 2 Red Blue synthetic composite to produce Magenta

Comments most welcome
Thanks

[cjr (Cody)]

They look amazing Martin, If i had to pick one I'd say i like the first image a little more but both look spectacular. I see what everyone means about the different colours in the nebula. Great reference for me haha

[LostInSp_ce]

Fantastic images for Bortle 8 skies. They're both terrific but I'm leaning towards the cyan composite. You're racking up quite a collection. Well done!

[PKay (Peter)]

Very useful technique of varying the hues to bring out detail.

Most interesting M.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Originally Posted by PKay

Very useful technique of varying the hues to bring out detail.

Most interesting M.

Peter,

The developer of Startools, Ivo Jager showed me how to use the Composite colour module using OSC narrowband data to process some really cool synthetic colour blends.Very useful with the bigger emission nebulas like Tarantula

Thanks
Martin

[Anth10 (Anthony M)]

Another fine shot here, plenty of data in these and startools processing has done wonders. I’m akin to seeing a little more green/cyan also but nicely done Martin- the jump from using the old DSLR is quite obvious.
You’re bringing out some awesome pics for us to enjoy.

Anth

[Craig_]

Very nice indeed! The 2nd one is my favourite of these.

[AdamJL]

Great stuff, Martin
Really looking forward to seeing more from this fantastic nebula as the summer begins and progresses

[Startrek (Martin)]

Thanks All,
Appreciate the wonderful comments
Very happy with the results I’m getting from this new camera and the Duoband filter in less than desirable conditions for Astrophotography in my Sydney location
Bortle 8 skies
I’m located at the bottom on my street only 10m above sea level
Both neighbours either side has massive 2 story homes riddled with exterior wall lights and rear floods ( usually left on until midnight, for the life of me I don’t know why , haven’t people heard of motion sensors )
Limited view south ( above 40 deg )
Limited view north ( above 50 deg )
Limited view west ( above 50 deg )
No view south west
Plus some big neighbours trees east and north east

Why do I bother ?

Answer , once you have a passion for something you love , you put up with obstacles and do the best you can with what you have !!

On the other hand , I’m fortunate to have a retirement holiday home on the South Coast NSW with Bortle 3 skies located on the high side of my street and no neighbours lights etc.. lovely location !!

So in a nutshell I have both sides of the coin in regards to AP locations , which makes it so challenging and enjoyable. I also observe with my 12” Goto dob at my South Coast haven

[Zuts]

That is some great detail you have there. It looks like you have the perfect FL for that object. Are you using a flattener or reducer or is it at the native 900 mm.

[Nikolas (Nik)]

Very nice Martin some great details in that image, for mine I like the cyan better.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Originally Posted by Zuts

That is some great detail you have there. It looks like you have the perfect FL for that object. Are you using a flattener or reducer or is it at the native 900 mm.

Paul,
I’m using a 6” f6 basic $299 Bintel GSO newt reflector
You don’t need reducers or flatterers for basic newt reflectors ( most Skywatcher and GSO newts will focus at prime focus ( 55mm ) I only use a 35mm extension piece on this scope for planetary work with my Powermates other than that for all DSO work I just pop the camera straight into the focuser

Focal length is 900mm
Image scale with my 2600MC OSC camera is 0.86 arc sec/ pixel so slightly over sampled

Cheers
Martin

[Robert_T]

the detail here is incredible and really shows what a skilled user can do with a modest reflector with the benefits of the added aperture (over most apo refractors) it brings. I like the cyan combo one best.