IC2944 Ha now with 10.5 hours

[Paul Haese]

I thought it might be of interest to for people to see how an image might develop with increased levels of data.

A week or so ago I posted an image of IC2944 with 150 minutes of data. I have included that image here for comparison albeit a smaller version.

The noise levels and signal were weak at 150 minutes but now with 630 minutes the data starts taking on a whole new look.

Click here (http://paulhaese.net/IC2944.html)for higher resolution image.

So while the need for gratification can be high so as to justify our hobby, I want to urge you all to take the time and get as much integration as possible. Remember this is just the star of this project. I will need to collect 3 hours in each colour and about 7 hours in the lum yet before I am satisfied. I might not get it finished this year, but that is the aim.

[strongmanmike]

:lol: on ya Paulie

...:question:...I am, I am :scared::scared:

I've got 15hrs already on one object :party:...my longest exposure with the AG12 so far and that's only with one filter :D (only 4 to go now :sadeyes:) Am I annointed, am I..?? :prey: Well, just gotta finish it now...see what you've started!! :mad2:...No motorised dome rotation and no automation :sadeyes: Having the obs is helpful though :D at least I don't have to setup each night :rolleyes:

BTW, no veiled insults in there, all genuine emoticons to reflect the lighthearted friendly humour to all - truly, viva long exposures! :thumbsup:

Mike

[Paul Haese]

Yep that is cool to hear you have 15 hours on one filter. Yep gutsy effort with no automation or motorised dome. You need that so you can sleep while it all happens. ;)

So what did you think of image? :)

[Peter.M]

Thats a marked improvement on the first stellar image, I cant wait to see colour!

[strongmanmike]

That's me, Mr Guts :P

Quite frankly just the thought of getting 3 X that amount all the while at the mercy of the clouds and weather, moon, working 7 days at times etc and with an impending house move aaaand new observatory construction about to start is scaring the pants of me :lol: even with a permanently setup rig getting mega data is not easy without an automated system. At least I'm better off than I was 18 months ago (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/146652329/original) :)

Your image?..you would likely see some flaws such as elongated stars and too much noise :lol: but to me your image is quite nice - that area lends itself well to Ha only.

Mike

[RickS]

Looks damn good to me, Paul. The extra data made a big improvement. Of course, I'm already a card carrying mega-data-ologist :P I'm up to 56 hours on NGC 6164 and I don't even have an obsy :sadeyes:

Looking forward to the result of your top secret project, Mikey! :lol:

[el_draco]

Wow, that is one seriously amazing shot.:eyepop:

[strongmanmike]

:evil:

[clive milne]

That is really good Paul.
In the spirit of constructive criticism, there appears to be a very slight collimation error visible by virtue of the asymmetric corner stars. It is simply a product of a steeply curved focal plane, slight de-centering and the astigmatism inherent in all RC's.
The 11002 chip really is big enough to benefit from a field corrector when it is used the manner that you are.
All that aside, that is a really good image... the opto-mechanics, guiding, framing, processing and seeing leave nothing to be desired.
I am impressed.

c

[Paul Haese]

Yes the elongated stars are field curvature and some tilt at the top. I don't have a flattener and don't want to spend 3000 odd Euro on a flattener for a 4" system via ASA, so I have to put up with the elongated stars.

Not much noise in my full res shot and I cannot see any in the posted image, so not sure where you can see it. Adding more data tonight as I did a heap last night on M66 and M65 but that was not really worth the effort. With tonight I think that will be enough and I will have to wait until my new OIII (3nm) and SII (5nm) filters arrive from Astrodon to do much more to this image in moon light.

[Paul Haese]

Indeed you are a card carry member of the Mega data set, mate. I am very envious of your scope. Nicely grabbed, I have been looking for months and not seen one yet.

[Paul Haese]

See I told you that the optics on these things are not junk. :) I was being methodical in sorting all the issues over the many months before I started using this scope in earnest.

There is some very slight miss-collimation but the bulk of the elongation is is mainly field curvature and yes I am umming and ahhhing about whether to get an AOX or a field flattener. I have 75mm left in my back focus and cannot have both. The AOX is cheaper too. The field curvature would be nice to get rid of though.

[clive milne]

Paul... re-read the thread.
I think you will find I said that the optics were probably fine and not the issue because the distortion in the star images was not consistent with this scenario. I put it down to tracking error because the distortion was aligned with the RA axis..... I struggled with this because of the quality of the tracking expected with the mount you are using and that you stated (on your web page) that you were using an off axis guider. Had I known that the off axis guider was on your guide scope and not in the imaging train then mechanical flexure would have been an obvious diagnosis.
My bad.

[strongmanmike]

Ok...you still have trouble interpreting my posts huh?... I was being flippant :P Yes the stars are slightly elongated in places but I knew why and of course there is next to no noise but you always seem to be able to find some :shrug: :lol: all good fun :P...sorry, I ain't gunna change, not for you not for no one :nerd: If you can drag me down the mega data road, well, I'm going to drag you down the light hearted have a lend post road ;) :thumbsup:

[David Fitz-Henr]

Very nice image Paul; stars are nice and tight ignoring the field curvature in the corners as you mentioned. I would probably vote for the field flattener over the AOX as I think it would reap the greater rewards.

[drdavekaplan]

Paul Thank you for the great shot it has allowed me to navigate over the running chicken like never before with my Mallincam
Dr Dave
across the pond
South Africa

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys for the replies. All appreciated.

I have now collected 780 minutes on the Ha for this object. Check the link here for the look. I have just installed OIII and SII filters from Astrodon at 3nm and 5nm respectively so am keen to do this in Hubble mustard palette in the next month. I really like the detail in dust lanes at the bottom of the image.

http://paulhaese.net/IC2944.html

Still plenty of noise though Mike. :P

[Joshua Bunn]

Fantastic shot Paul, quite an interesting and contrasty object.

[multiweb]

The extra data and length of the integration time certainly shows in the latest version. Amazing details and definition. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Exfso]

That is really first class Paul, cannot wait to see the final product. APOD coming up!!!

[atalas]

Looking good Paul!