M27 The Dumbbell Nebula

[cometcatcher]

It's been 20 years since the last time I imaged this. Haven't been able to image it for a while due to trees. Amazing device these new electric chainsaws. :D I've forgotten what a pretty little gem this is.

116 minutes over 2 nights (stupid guiding computer, air turbulence, satellites and airplanes lost half the data), Skywatcher BD ED100 at F9, unmodified Pentax K-5.

Full frame at Astrobin ----> http://astrob.in/110384/0/

[RickS]

Nice image, Kevin! Congrats on the improvements to your northern horizon :)

[strongmanmike]

Yes, this would be quite well placed at the moment from Makay..? Really loverly result regardless of your pain in the R's issues, it looks good in a slightly wider field like this too, a floating dumbell :)

Actually, M27 was the subject of my very first LRGB CCD image ever (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/56899952/original):), taken low in the sky from Queanbeyan (Canberra) waaay back when I first used a CCD camera in 2003 (on my 12" SCT)...and I haven't imaged it again since :question: :sadeyes:...I would love to have another shot sometime.



Doh!!!...ahhh, all part of the fun, eh? ;)..not :rolleyes:

Mike

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Rick. It took comet Jacques to get me to get one of those aroundtooits. ;)



Thanks Mike. It reaches 46 degrees at the meridian, though I can't image it that high due to the tree. I can't chop it all down, it's an excellent eating avocado. It's just gone a bit wild over the years. And I need it to block 5 street lights and a busy road to the north. Other than that, the north is quite dark from here. Apart from the road there's no further LP as it's bush to the ocean.

How high does it get in Canberra? You must lose another 10 degrees in height?

[hotspur]

great result,lovely colours-well done:thumbsup:

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Very good Dumbbell Kevin!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Really like the colour balance, I'll have to have another go after seeing yours.

Cheers,

Justin.

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Chris and Justin. Glad you like the colours. I was trying to get a balance between the blues and reds. Hopefully I've done that.

The first night was with no filter but it looked a bit too blue. The second night I thought I'd use the Semi-apo filter which enhances red and subdues blue. Data was then combined from the two nights and balanced. It seems to have worked.

[Camelopardalis]

Lovely Kevin! I like the red X across the middle is coming through nicely :)

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Dunk.

[Shiraz]

Very nice work Kevin - very attractive colour.

[gregbradley]

That's a very nice image Kevin all the more impressive from an unmodified mirrorless.

Greg.

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Ray!



Thanks Greg. I have to wonder what those new Sony's would be like. Have to wait until they get cheaper though.