Helix NB

[peter_4059]

Spent the weekend re-doing my polar alignment after returning from Astrofest. I've also been experimenting with PHD2 to see if I could improve my autoguiding. With the alignment nailed and some promising guiding results I decided to give the Helix a go in Ha and OIII with 10 min subs.

Here's 11x10min Ha and 11x10min OIII from Brissie using the Meade 80mm refractor and the QSI683. I've given it a crop. I used Don Goldman's suggested Planetry Neb colour pallet to process.

Big version here: http://astrob.in/55579/

Comments/advice welcome.

[h0ughy]

tutti fruiti - love it. for the uninformed could you enlighten those that may have just entered the narrow band circus :) on the Don Goldman way

[peter_4059]

Thanks Dave. That's an AAIC secret!

Map: Ha to Magenta, OIII to Green, OIII to Blue.
Blend to taste!

http://www.astrodonimaging.com/tutorials/#t9

Have a look at tutorial #9 for the technique not the HST pallet bit.

[multiweb]

Superb field Peter. Great details. :thumbsup: Little on the Ribena side but as you said seasoned to taste. Just a little too sweet for me. ;)

[peter_4059]

This colour any better?

New big versin here: http://astrob.in/55579/B/

[Larryp]

Very nice, Peter

[RobF]

Great image Peter. Why not use the extra resolution of the Newt though?

[peter_4059]

Cheers Rob. I was mainly working on getting the mount aligned and experimenting with guiding. The image was more of an afterthought and the helix was the only thing that was in a convenient place at the time. The ED80 is so much lighter and more compact than the newt and I was trying to eliminate other variables while I experimented with guide settings. I've recently switched to PHD2 - really liking the additional features and flexibility.

[strongmanmike]

Well the guiding looks pretty good :thumbsup: Colour looks o-k but to me the magenta-teal isn't quite right :confuse3: Maybe needs some more tweeking and saturation...Yeeeeah satuuurationnnn :party: :lol:

Mike

[RickS]

Second version looks good, Peter!