M45 - ED80 with Meade 6.3 FR

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

This is about a two thirds crop of full frame dimension. I forgot to take some flats so there was some nasty vignetting. There also seems to be a large unfocused "donut" appearing after processing, but managed to mask most of that. The meade 6.3 FR does an ok job, but there is still elongation starting towards the corners of the shot.

Canon 300D, unmodded, 5x120sec @ ISO400 @ f/4.7. Resolution around 4 arcsec/pixel. Full uncropped image was about 140 X 205 arcmin. Seeing was atrocious at about 2/10. To give you an idea of the transparency, I got rained on by black snow during my imaging session last night and this morning (sugar cane burnoff).

This image is about the best of the lot from the session. Combined in ImagesPlus, curves and levels and masking in PS, noise tidied up in NeatImage and then resized in PS.

[RB (Andrew)]

Despite the conditions you had to endure Paul, it's turned out beautifully with lots of nebulosity and great colour.
Well done mate.

[rogerg (Roger)]

I know how hard it can be to get nebulosity on M45, I tried for years with film, never ended up with much on 45min exposures.

This is a great image for 5 x 120! Amazing. I'm really enthused to give it a shot again with my 350D, perhaps next weekend.

Roger.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Thanks for the positives guys. I'm my worst critic. It was a bugger to focus last night so I find it a little bit soft. Maybe I'll have to try and sharpen it up a bit with Strikers diffraction spikes if he's finished with them

[h0ughy (David)]

nothing wrong with that. my effort was so bad last night ( affected badly by light pollution I binned it! Wonderful result Paul

[matt]

That's pretty nice, Paul.

I love the look of those cool blue stars and the nebulosity.

I'm really looking forward to eyeballing this object this year with my new filter/s

[Lester]

Nice one Paul.

The ED80 with FR does a great job. Like the rich blue nebula.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Nice result Paul, I'm curious to know whether it would be any better at the edges with the WO focal reducer.

[spearo (Frank)]

Looks excellent to me
Love the blue (always do-excuse the rhyme...)
Focus seems good, could be the adjusting of levels (unavoidable understandibly) that brings out the brightness and reduces the seperation between some of the close stars? because the other smaller ones seem nice and sharp?
I wouldnt know really...just a though. Looks great
cheers
frank

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

If you've got one, I'd really love to borrow it to find out Phil

Thanks again for the comments guys. I'll try not to be too harsh on myself

[acropolite (Phil)]

If you've got one, I'd really love to borrow it to find out Phil

I was hoping you would buy one and be the guinea pig

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

How much are they?

All donations to this worthy cause welcome

[acropolite (Phil)]

Lee Andrews has the following listed

P-FLAT 2 2" APO field flattener 0.8x reducer for refractors. Includes 2" adaptor (recommended for use with f/6.5-f/7 system)

$299..... Ouch....

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Just as well the Orion falls outside that range at f/7.5

There are a few here is you would like to buy me one Phil
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product_list.asp?t=71

[acropolite (Phil)]

Hmm looks better, I assume we're talking this one, but landed here it's still going to be around $300. Unfortunately, I don't think HRH Liz will let me buy if for you.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

We could share it

[JohnG (John)]

Thats a nice shot there Paul, would look good with a better FR. Still nice though.

Cheers

JohnG

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Phil and I are up for donations atm John. Care to help out

[avandonk]

Paul do you rememember this thread?
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=7023

I have the scopestuff Canon adapter and the lens, all that is further needed is a 2" eyepiece extension to get the distance right. You are welcome to try it out.

Bert

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I do remember that thread now. I'd love to give it a go.

Is this the adapter you are talking about Bert?