A now, less-noisy coil...

[Peter Ward]

I guess it's helix season... :)

Probably too early to publish this yet, as I need about 8x more data to tame the noise... and bring up the subtle outer arcs hinted at in this image...

...but must admit I'm pleased with how the data is progressing.

This is just 1 hour of Ha, and half that in OIII. Hope the weather holds :prey:

The link is here (http://www.atscope.com.au/BRO/gallery259.html)

[RickS]

Looks like it will be very nice, Peter. A great start considering how little exposure time you have.

Cheers,
Rick.

[asimov]

That's going to be quite nice if you can add the extra data..

[Larryp]

Looking good, Peter. I look forward to seeing it with more data :thumbsup:

[Peter Ward]

Thanks guys.. yep the Helix is a multi-hour affair for sure.

That said, I'm amazed that the spoke structures are visible even at this early stage.

[Paul Haese]

Yes that is quite interesting that the spokes are showing through so early. I suspect the size of the aperture is making that happen quickly. I found that 1.2 hours with the TSA was necessary before any part of the spokes really showed up. Lots more integration and you will have a winner.

[Ross G]

The start of a great looking photo Peter.

Looking forward to the finished version.


Ross.

[David Fitz-Henr]

Yes, a great start; lots of detail already showing through.

[Peter Ward]

Ta... but still plain yogurt at present.

(Spaceballs fans will understand the plain yogurt reference :) )

Me too... got a couple more hours in last night..but won't bore everyone with progressive results.



Ta, I'm hoping it will end up with the same res, less noise, more data.

As for being a winner, there have been some heroic efforts here (I rather like Martins sublime rendition) hence I doubt I'll get the time to even be on par.

[marc4darkskies]

May the Schwartz be with you!! .... And deliver you more clear nights to finish this off. In between the noise, I can see the beginnings of a nice image! ;)

Cheers, Marcis

[Peter Ward]

Lonestar! I see that (soon ) your Ritchey-Schwartz will be as big as mine.

I wonder how well you will handle it! :thumbsup: :lol:

[Phil Hart]

The colours are looking great.. reminds me of a transparency slide I had of the Helix from AAT or some other big scope many years ago. 'Feels' different to most other digital versions I've seen..

[Peter Ward]

Thanks for the input Phil.... I think I'm headed in the right direction with this one :question:

My run of clear nights look to have ended, hence "only" six hours of Ha and two of OIII are in the bag to date.

Looks like it will need about triple that to bring out extended halo well. As for the "feel" yes, it's intentional. :)

The extended halo is incredibly faint and I'll be trying to preserve that brightness relationship with the core in the completed image.

[cybereye]

Peter,

It looks good already so I'm looking forward to what should be an impressive image when you get more data! :thumbsup:

Cheers,
Mario

[Peter Ward]

Thanks Mario. Given the weather has brought a halt to proceedings, I've since uploaded a deeper version (same URL (http://www.atscope.com.au/BRO/gallery259.html)),

[Peter Ward]

Humm

Rain predicted for the remainder of the week.

Totally revamped the web page (http://www.atscope.com.au/BRO/gallery259.html). New picture of the Helix, of the rig, some text, even a HST comparison !! :eyepop:

:D

[marc4darkskies]

Now you're talking Peter - looking verrry nice!

CCDOps though?!! :question:

[Rod771]

That's an excellent image Peter :thumbsup:

If I had seen this yesterday I may have thought twice about posting mine :D

Well done!

[Peter Ward]

Ta Marcus...but not there yet :rain:

YES! CCDops! :)

Seriously CCDops has the best AG algorithm bar none.

Sure....you can't kill it with a stick and it means very limited automation... but that's what remotely controlled domes, remote-desktops and central heating are for :lol:

[Peter Ward]

Ta Rod...but hey, you got to go with what you've got.

I've been *very* impressed by the latest DSLR deep sky images popping up on the net of late. :thumbsup:

[marc4darkskies]

Fair nuff. I'm now a full fledged TSX + CCDAP man. I even use @Focus2 now. Watching it all work (yes, I like to watch) is akin to listening to a good symphony! :rockband: (closest emoticon I could find :shrug:)

Looking forward to seeing your final and definitive amateur Helix ... no pressure though! :)

[Stevec35]

Nice one Peter. That RH sure is impressive.

Cheers

Steve

[Peter Ward]

Thanks Steve, to be sure the AP Honders, is in a class of its own :thumbsup:
But I'll feel a lot happier when I can get another 10 hours of data.

[multiweb]

Very cool picture. Unreal gear. :thumbsup:

[dvj]

That 8300 seems like a great match to this scope! Well done Peter.

[Peter Ward]

Thanks John, but there is some work to be done here yet :)

I think the jury is still out as to whether the smaller KAF8300 pixels work best with this scope...but I'll know more after a few exposures with the AO adapter.

Hey Marc, thanks, ....but, well, tepid at this point ...hopefully headed toward cool. :)

I've since updated the rig photo...gives a better idea of what it looks like

[Bassnut]

Gee, thats impressive for 1 hr in Sydney, well done.
I happen to be imaging this remotely in dark skys now, based on what ive done (assuming dark skies are supposed to make a difference :P), youve done an excellent job so far with capture and processing.

Interesting you went with 7nm filters, whys that?.

You commented on the internal guide before filters on your SBIG with the pic. Ive tried this now with my new STXL6303E and after initial scepticism looking at it in the flesh, Im amazed at how effective it is. Before, even with a cooled guide cam and MOAG, I was forced to use a rotator to guarantee a guide star, but now I find quite a few and at least one always (so far) and I havent touched the rotator yet.

Even though the new guide cam isnt cooled, it is very sensitive and the built in 0.67 reducer gives a relatively huge FOV, even over 2m FL. Finally, SBIG got all that sorted, im well chuffed :D.

[Peter Ward]

Ta Fred.

Ah...in the fine print.....you'll see the exposure is now at the five hour mark...

I find the Baader 7nm filters have well behaved reflections, robust coatings and don't cost the earth.

Indeed my experience has been the same with guide star selection. There is always one there....it will great to use it with the AO. :)