Pillars of Creation

[ChrisM]

This is the first time I've tried to capture the Eagle Nebula - or at least part of it. I didn't really know what I was looking for and the camera screen was pointing at the floor and somewhat less than a metre above it, so it was very difficult to see anything at all. So, I blindly took a short sequence of pics and didn't see anything until I downloaded them later.

Anyway, this pic gives me hope of making a better image in the future.

11 x 1 minute subs
Nikon D7000 with ICNR
ISO 800
Meade 14" SCT unguided
PixInsight
LR4

Cheers, Chris

[pluto]

Some nice details there. And great contrast, you must be under some dark skies :D

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Nice detail on the pillars Chris!

The 14" SCT must be ideal for these close ups.

Cheers,

Justin.

[ChrisM]

Thanks Pluto - I would say that the sky is medium dark at best. PixInsight can provide lots of adjustments.


Thanks Justin. Yes, the long focal length is good for that but it's certainly no astrograph.

Chris

[Larryp]

Very nice, Chris

[Elio]

good details, well done ;)

[ChrisM]

I thought that the image presented was a little dark, so I used LR4 to push the limited data a little more (although I probably should have done this in PI), and have also made a crop.

Thanks Laurie & Elio for your comments too.

Chris

[IanP]

You've achieved nice result, taking into account that the amount of data was quite limited (total of 11 minutes).

Thanks for sharing !!!
:thumbsup:

[Nathan76]

Hey Chris,

Nice pic for such a small imaging time!

I'm new to all this, just beginning to get my kit together. I will be using a D7100 for imaging. Hopefully narrowband imaging if my camera allows.

Did you use any filters, colour or narrowband? Is your camera modded?

Anyone can chime in on this one...I have an OIII and am looking at getting a Ha then SII...Can you get a result from an SII narrowband filter on a DSLR(without modding)?

Cheers,

NB

[multiweb]

Beautifully done. Great details in the pillars. :thumbsup:

[ChrisM]

Thanks Ian. I didn't expect to get such a result so it bodes well for a more serious effort.


Thanks for your comments Nathan.

I did not use any filters and the camera is not modded. It's just my everyday DSLR that I reluctantly take the lens off to attach it to the telescope. (Reluctantly due to the risk of getting dust on the sensor.) I always try to minimise the time that the camera is 'open'.

I don't see why filters wouldn't work, although I guess the required exposure times would increase, especially if you used NB. Without the mod to extend the sensor's sensitivity towards the red end of the spectrum, the Ha filter might not provide much joy.

Thanks Marc. Glad that you liked it.

[strongmanmike]

I actually quite like the framing of this one, looks like the Eagle is sticking its head around the corner :). You should have another go and do a longer exposure.

Mike

[astronobob]

1 minute subs with a 14" SCT, ripper result Chris :thumbsup: I actually like the compo you have here, the eagle sitting in the line of thirds rule, some nice potent stars in the center with some space at top left, works for me :thumbsup: good show .

[Ross G]

Great photos Chris.

Excellent detail.

Ross.

[ChrisM]

You're right Mike; I should do that. Not sure that I can get away with longer subs but would like to double or triple the overall exposure.

Somewhat embarrassingly, I can't find anything that resembles an eagle! I've looked on others' pics and that hasn't helped me....


Thanks Bob. See comments above re eagle (or lack thereof)! The composition was a fluke of sorts; it was purely down to my GOTO scope, since it was unsighted by me.


Thanks Ross. I don't know what the seeing was on that night, but the cold weather did seem to bring some stability to the atmosphere.
Chris