DMK shoots the Homunculus!

[1ponders] (Paul) · #1 05-03-2007, 12:57 AM

While out making the most of the clear skies the other night I thought I'd see how the DMK 21AF04.AS would go on a really deep sky object. I think next time I'll spend some time getting everything just right. The focus was out and there might have been some collimation issues, but the promise is there.

The colour image inserted over mine is from the Hubble of the Homunculus Nebula surrounding Eta Carina. Clearly visible are the two lobes and the transverse jet of nebula. What surprise me was the similar detail that appeared in my image.

50frame Avi at 2sec/frame @f/25 with 8" SCT, stacked in Registax 4

iceman (Mike) · #2 05-03-2007, 06:02 AM

So you're talking about the white dot in the centre? I can only just see something faint either side of it?

Could be this LCD screen though?

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 05-03-2007, 08:40 AM

On my screen I can clearly see the two lobes of emission nebula extending diagonally from lower left to upper right at least 3 star widths. There is also a jet streaming towards the lower right towards the group of 3 fainter stars near Eta Car.

I've really stretched the contrast on this one, it might show it better on your screen. It looks terrible on mine

iceman (Mike) · #4 05-03-2007, 08:50 AM

I see them now!

Nice one

[1ponders] (Paul) · #5 05-03-2007, 11:28 AM

I see what you mean Mike. I'm at work atm and on the Dell LCD I can hardly see any nebulosity at all, even in the second image. And that is with the contrast and brightness wound right up. But on my laptop screen at home the first looks fine and the second looks too much. On the TV (plasma) it look good as well

atalas · #6 05-03-2007, 11:48 AM

Nice catch Paul ! you don't see a shot of this very often.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #7 05-03-2007, 05:45 PM

I couldn't see it Paul, so I stuck it in PaintShop Pro and wound the brightness up heaps and the contrast a bit.

And BINGO!!! There it is!

Great job

[1ponders] (Paul) · #8 05-03-2007, 05:55 PM

Isn't is amazing how different everyones monitors are. On my monitor my first image shows up as clearly as yours Ken but without the washout of the background

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #9 05-03-2007, 06:00 PM

wow paul great shot.

matt · #10 05-03-2007, 06:13 PM

Paul

I can see the nebulosity really nicely if I look from an angle above (looking down) on my laptop screen.

Very nice

Now I'm all excited my DMK's on the way

[1ponders] (Paul) · #11 05-03-2007, 06:42 PM

If you get clear skies, it is fun Matt.

h0ughy (David) · #12 05-03-2007, 07:23 PM

LOL well done Paul. I can see hundreds of Aussie astronomers performing strange but ritualistic manoeuvres around the monitor looking at a dot......

strongmanmike (Michael) · #13 05-03-2007, 10:24 PM

Yeh I was one of those people Dave

- now close your eyes and picture it....

I didn't want to say anything for fear of hurting Pauls feelings (he's a very sensitive guy) and I didn't want to just do the "Emperors New Cloths" thing but now I see what he was talking about.

Nice one Pauli

Mike