Wiruna Long Weekend

[MLParkinson]

Here is a set of images based on data I recorded during a long weekend at Wiruna, Central Tablelands, NSW, 3 to 5 October. We had a run of three breathtaking dark nights. I combined the RGB data recorded at Wiruna with H alpha and OIII data recorded back in the suburbs of Sydney. I am interested to know which permutation(s) you think work best.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlparkinson/sets/72157635528367165/

[TimberLand]

Busy weekend by the look of it.

My pic would be the Seven Sisters, the Andromeda shots have good detail but are a bit burnt out in the middle.

Great shots otherwise.

[batema]

Looks like a fantastic weekend. Great images.

[MLParkinson]

Sorry, I often make mistakes when I type too fast. I meant to ask for your opinions about which combination of RGB data with H alpha and OIII data works the best for the wide field images of the Large Magellanic Cloud. The other images (in this set) are LRGB images.

[strongmanmike]

Nice selection of northern and southern favourites there Murrray - a productive few nights :thumbsup: So much HII in the LMC there huh? Either of the versions is ok to me.

Mike

[MLParkinson]

Well, you're amongst the best astro-imagers in the country, so if you think that either of the LMC images works, then my judgment is probably improving. I suspect that sometimes I combine narrowband data in ways that make the final image look horrid. Showing good judgment when manipulating the colour channels is a constant challenge for me.

[strongmanmike]

Well nice of you to say Murray :thanx:

In the case of the LMC, at least for me, it is the field of view and portrayal of the abundant HII regions across the swath of galaxy that is the impressive bit and the reason I think all the versions essentially look pretty cool...if I had to pick though, it would be the last one becaseu it highlights the HII the best :thumbsup:

The LMC is an amazing galaxy and I first shot it (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/120165003/original) when I was 18 years old back in 1986. If I had been able to produce what you have here back then...heck I would have been World Famous! ;) :thumbsup:

Mike

[multiweb]

Very tidy collection Murray. Really well done. A productive outing. :thumbsup:

[cazza132]

Fantastic work! Like the first LMC shot. Amazing details with the B&W Andromeda shot - never seen such detail so close to it's core, even if the highlights are a little blown (not much of that really). Nice details on the M45 cloud structure. The California Nebula came up well. What sort of gear were you running? I'm seriously considering a jump to an 8" or 10" f4 Newtonian. Would be stoked to get half the detail you're turning out here!

[MLParkinson]

Thank you very much Cazza. The telescopic shots were taken with a Televue 85 mm f/7 refractor fitted with the Televue f/5.6 corrector and a QSI 683wsg camera. The mount was a EQ 3 driven with 0.5-sec corrections to help moderate its multiple periodic errors.

When it comes to imaging: quality, dedication and technique are more important than aperture. Having a big scope helps, especially for faint, small galaxies, but I wouldn't get hung up on getting a big scope. It is more important to ensure that whatever gear you buy it is very high quality, and then concentrate on developing good data collection technique and post-processing skills.

Having said that, I agree with you. People produce fantastic results using f/4 Newtonian telescopes fitted with Baader or Wynne coma correctors. I am thinking of venturing down that path myself. Fast Newtonians can also be used for visual deep sky observing which is an added bonus.

[cazza132]

Thanks for the heads up MLParkinson :) And well done with the fantastic work you're doing - with a system less than 500mm FL! I would be happy to stick with the shorter focal length systems - deep sky galaxies haven't captured my attention yet. Wide field nebulae are what I am finding most interesting atm, so a system with a FL less than 1000mm is what I'd be looking at. Hey, would a 8" f4.0 newt imaging circle cover a full frame DSLR sensor? Haven't found much info about that.

[MLParkinson]

Troy, you have probably noticed that "strongmanmike" produces spectacular images using a large format camera and a fast, highly corrected Newtonian:

http://www.orionoptics.co.uk/AG/agrangeand(ota)t.html

Alas, these astrographs aren't cheap, especially with the Ausi-dollar trending downward.

[Ross G]

A great collection of beautiful photos Murray.

Wiruna is an ideal place for imaging and you certainly made the most of your visit.

My favourites are your M31 and Pleiades.

Ross.