IC1396A and VdB142

[Nicola]

Today I show you my first “serious” image acquired by the GSO RC8, that replaced the VISAC for the narrow field. The data acquisition was performed in two nights, respectively on September 8th and 13th, 2013.
It is an LRGB + Halfa composition.
I wanted to image this region since a long time ago (it’s a classic summer sky object after all), but for various reasons I was never able to have the setup ready for the period required for its capture.
This image definitely allows me to say that I am satisfied with scope’s performance, I think I’ll keep this toy for a while…

Link to tech details and highres: http://www.skymonsters.net/immagine.php?img=ElephantTrunk4.jpg

C&C always welcome!

[Paul Haese]

That is pretty nice. Good colour and not over saturated. Stars look nice and the field of view is very pleasing. Thumbs up from me.

[gregbradley]

A very nice image. Very rich colour and nicely framed.

Greg.

[Larryp]

Very nice, Nicola!

[RickS]

I like that a lot better than the Hubble palette for this object. Very well done, Nicola!

[multiweb]

Very nice close-up. :thumbsup: Very red. :)

[rmuhlack]

that is very nice indeed. Just out of interest, why did you swap a VISAC for a GSO RC8...?

[Ross G]

Great looking photo Nicola.

I love the colour and composition.

Ross.

[marco]

Bella Nicola! :thumbsup:

Clear skies
Marco

[SkyViking]

Fantastic piece of sky, and you've captured and processed it expertly. I love the colours. Thanks for the view!

[David Fitz-Henr]

I echo all the previous comments Nicola, that's a wonderful image :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Nicola]

Thanks a lot to all of you, I'm glad you like it.

@rmuhlack: VISAC was a great scope and especially a nice training scope for me, as I was new to reflectors,collimation issues and so on. I did change for the following reasons:
1) Diamond-shaped stars, very annoying for one that has an FSQ :)
2) Collimation out of control. I was never sure to have it properly collimated, no matter how good some of my images (some of them still to be processed) looked like.
3) Lack of dot/circle on secondary to aid collimation
4) f/9 system, but in reality much slower.

Moreover now, with the GSO, using the KAF8300, at full focal length I don't even really need a flattener which leaves me only with two mirrors between the Universe and my sensor (not considering our atmosphere of course).

Too many pros to not consider moving to a low budget RC, IMHO, and I'm glad I did the move.

[iceman]

Lovely work Nicola, this is now IOTW (http://www.iceinspace.com.au)!!

[naskies]

Beautiful - well processed too. As a fellow RC8/8300 imager, I can say that this scope provides great bang-per-buck :)

[Nicola]

Wow! Thanks a lot, it is much appreciated :)

[Nicola]

Thank you and needless to say I totally agree with you.:thumbsup:

[telecasterguru]

I love the image.

Frank

[marc4darkskies]

Nothing new to add to the comments above - a beautiful image!

Cheers, Marcus

[Nicola]

Frank and Marcus, thank you! :)

[Astromaniac]

G'Day Nicola,

Bellissima foto, mi piace molto.:thumbsup: Bravo!

Well done,

Cheers,
John

[Nicola]

Forgot your msg! Thanks a lot John! :)

[broca]

Well done Nicola! Beautiful colors!