My 1st LRGB image - NGC5643 in Lupus

[Logieberra]

We've had a great run of clear nights here in Canberra!

NGC5643 in Lupus.

My first LRGB combined image. Also my deepest image over consecutive nights. I've much to learn on the processing side of the house! :eyepop:


5.25hrs of Luminance.
50min of each channel RGB.
F, D and B frames.
Captured with SkyX and PHD2.
Processed in PI.

GSO 12" Truss RC
http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/Cassegrain/Bintel-GSO-RC12-A-f/8-Astrograph/1790/productview.aspx
@0.54 arcsec/per pixel
@2438mm or F/8
Atik's new 414EX mono CCD @ -10deg.

Cheers, Logan

[RickS]

Looks like a challenging target. Well done, Logan! Time to hone your processing chops.

[jase]

There is a first for everything Logan. :thumbsup: Good first go at an LRGB composite. Adding luminance data tends to wash colours away so you'll need to consider different approaches to managing this. Doesn't look the easiest of targets to cut your teeth on. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

[strongmanmike]

Year riiiight, of course we have...just when I go away for 4 nights to a star party :rolleyes: :doh:

Did manage to grab some data when I arrived home on Sunday night though :cool: even after three straight almost all nighters at SPSP :screwy:...bloody well sprained my ankle though, walking out of my observatory when unloading the car and had to have Mon off work with it elevated and icing :doh::doh:

Anywaaaay...great start there Logan, I love galaxies and this has come out nicely, a bit more colour would be nice but still good to look at, reminds me of NGC 5068 (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/149683186/original)in Virgo :thumbsup:

Mike

[Logieberra]

Thanks Ric. Yes, a challenge. She's not all that bright and I'm capturing data right over the roofline of my house, with its thermal currents and all that. (Correction - my image scale is actually 0.54 arcsec/per pixel). I'll keep at it :)

[Logieberra]

Thanks Jase, good to know that about colour. I've been advised by another member to capture more colour on this object, as she's not putting out much. Next time.

[Logieberra]

You missed a real cracker of Cbr clear nights Mike! I agree, these objects are similar, but your colour rendition is much preferred :) I got this scope and CCD setup specifically to target the small stuff. My sensor is like 7x8mm or something silly! But, plenty big enough for these little beasties :)

[Logieberra]

If anyone reading this is considering the Atik 414EX for example, galaxy work, check out this full frame sensor shot of the same object by Mr Crouch using a similar F/l scope. Knowing that my shot is not cropped, it will help you gauge just how small this sensor is. Again, no biggie for me - I have the FSQ + 6D for wide field work :)
http://members.pcug.org.au/~stevec/ngc5643_STL11K_RC.htm

[strongmanmike]

Yeah that camera is essentially a more sensitive version of my venerable SXVH9...great specs but certainly a very small chip for a 2500mm focal length RC though...? :eyepop: Have you considered upsizing?

Mike

[Logieberra]

Ok. I was told to boost saturation. Done! Guys, please see above. I like the little planetary nebula at 7 o'clock, at least I think that's what it is...

Mike, the chip on the 414EX is small... but these GSO RCs don't come with in-built glass/correctors, unlike the RCOS and CDKs out there. A full frame chip is wasted in the scope's stock configuration. I believe that Paul H. is currently testing a range of Europen-made flatterners - I've also been told that OPTEC is designing a new flattener for these GSO RCs. I avoid the need for that extra glass (and the cost) in using this little chip. Also, I love the image scale of galaxies on chip :)

[PRejto]

Hi Logan,

Good first image!

Speaking of the ATIK 414EX, I'm actually using this camera as a wide field guider on my system with the ONAG. Overkill, perhaps but so far I've never moved the ONAG stage to find a star. And with cooling I'm getting very good sensitivity and dark backgrounds. The camera is perfect and has never dropped connection....something I cannot say about my others. I might just try the camera on my TEC180 with a barlow because as you say for a small galaxy a large field is rather unnecessary!

This link shows the FOVs of my three cameras. Largest is 8300 chip Moravian, middle Trius, and smallest the ATIK414EX. I should explain, however, that the FOV of the Trius is though my TEC140, and the other two through the TEC180. Obviously the Trius on the TEC180 would show a much smaller FOV relatively.

http://www.pbase.com/prejto/image/159103698

Peter

[Logieberra]

Thanks for that Peter :)
Wow, the poor 414EX! Relegated to guide cam!
Please do try her on the other end of the scope. You might be pleasantly surpised.
Re my small FOV, my thinking might be off -but why pay for big chip if galaxies are the goal?
And they are reliable. Glad you've found the same.

[SpaceNoob]

Unreal first LRGB dude! :D

That 414ex certainly punches above its weight, looking forward to seeing more come from it.

[Logieberra]

Hey thanks Chris! We've got decent astro conditions out here in North-west Canberra, you'd agree :)

[SpaceNoob]

Yeah, very good, assuming there's no clouds! Although not as good as it was a couple of months back when the transparency was like glass. Still very still though, at the right time.

[Ross G]

Hi Logan.

Great looking closeup.

Sharp and detailed. Colour looks ok to me.

Not bad for a first attempt!

Good luck.

Ross.

[Logieberra]

Ta Ross. Your M31 standard isn't easy to achieve. Baby steps for me. One image at a time :)