Eta Carina 7 Nm HA

[tornado33]

Hi all.
With a near full moon, but a clear sky and calm winds I wanted to capture something so got out the Baader 7 Nm HA filter and captured Eta Carina Nebula in the deep red of Hydrogen Alpha.

To make getting spot on focus easier I set the camera to Mono so images appear in monochrome not deep red, then take short 10 sec shots at ISO 1600 to compose the image, then locate a guide star, check composition and then focus, making very fine adjustments till focus is spot on.

Polar Alignment was within arc seconds thanks to Sharpcap software and was done even before the sky was fully dark. Only proviso is you MUST be able to see the SCP area. Not a single DEC adjustment was necessary during the imaging run!

Image is 12 x 10 mins ISO400, with the Hutech Modded 350D camera, Baader MPCC coma corrector and the 7 NM HA filter.

The off axis guider has a pick off prism outside of the focusser so gets unfiltered starlight.

Fully hand guided with the 1980's vintage Astro Optical Supplies Sampson GEM mount using a ZWO mono cam. and watching the guidestar on the laptop with a virtual reticle on it. Pressing fast or slow buttons on drive corrector to keep the star centered.

Calibrated with Iris free software, finished in Photoshop.

Full size version here. https://www.astrobin.com/401721/
Scott

[Mickoid (Michael)]

How dare you take such a high quality shot using primitive methods and a DSLR ! Well done Scott, a wonderful image.

[tornado33]

Thanks Love seeing what I can get out of my ancient gear!

[Saturnine (Jeff)]

Nice detail in the nebula, excellent image., I need to get more creative with the gear I have if this is what can be done with dslr cameras and narrowband filters in moonlight, light pollution etc.

[tornado33]

Thanks. Its great to be able to do stuff when the Moon is up.