Centaurus A - composite DSLR image - 46.8 hrs

[rmuhlack]

I had planned on undertaking a mega data assault on Centaurus A this year utilising data from both my VC200L and my 130mm f5 newtonian, however after about 25 hours of new data from 2015, both my DSLRs "decided" to stop working...in the same week!

That put a quick end to my aspirations on this (or any future) deep sky projects for the time being, so to make up for this setback I decided to integrate with about 22 hours of data collected from last year.

This image here comprises the following:

130mm f5 Newtonian
Uncooled Canon 1000D
21.95 hours
Data collection: March 2014

130mm f5 Newtonian
Cooled Canon 450 D
18.27 hours
Data collection: Feb 28 - Mar 20 2015

VC200L
Cooled 1000D
6.67 hours
Data collection: Feb 27-28 2015

Processed with Pixinsight. Hints of colour from the filament associated with the inner relativistic jet (shown clearly in Rolf Olsens image here (http://www.rolfolsenastrophotography.com/Astrophotography/Centaurus-A-Extreme-Deep-Field/i-7jpLBfQ)) are starting to show in my full res image, which is encouraging for a DSLR image like this. Still, I suspect that with more skilled hands that more subtle details (eg in the outer shell) could be teased out further.

Hi res here: http://www.astrobin.com/167305/

I intend to have another go at processing this, so comments and feedback are welcomed. :)

[rustigsmed]

excellent work Richard.

what is the plan for replacing the dslrs? amazing 'luck' with both deciding to pack up and leave in the same week!

Russ

[rmuhlack]

Thanks Russ. I'm hopeful I might be able to get at least one of them back online using spare parts I already have, otherwise i'll have to source replacement cameras from ebay/gumtree and refit my cold finger mod to those cameras.

In one camera it looks like the CMOS sensor has malfunctioned (although it could also be the main board). On the other camera it keeps changing from "M" (manual) to "A-DEP" (even though the main dial has not moved). I can't operate the camera using SGPro when it is in A-DEP mode. Not sure if this one is a problem with the main dial, or with the main board. Upon dismantling the camera I should know more.

[RickS]

Very impressive, Richard!

[gvanhau]

I like it a lot.

[leon]

Good stuff indeed Richard, I reckon it is fine the way it is, but that is only me !! well done.

Leon

[Andy01]

Fantastic effort and a great result, well done :)

[Ross G]

Great looking Centaurus A Richard.

Amazing detail and I like the colours.

Good luck with the cameras.

Ross.