Keyhole to Cluster

[multiweb]

4 overlapping panels shot from Monday to Wednesday while tweaking collimation and learning how to use the temperature compensation with the sharpsky pro.

70% version here (http://www.astropic.net/astro/keyhole_to_cluster_GSO8_ha_fff.jpg)[4606x1287 - 2.4MB]
HD version here (http://www.astropic.net/astro/keyhole_to_cluster_GSO8_ha_HD.jpg) [3865x1080 - 1.8MB]

Image scale is 1.39 asp so high-res had a fair amount of details.
Shot with a CF GSO8" F/4 QHY9 Baader 7nm Ha on G11.
Registered in Prometheus and stacked in CCD Stack. Further processed in Startools and PS CS5.5. Stitched in Registar 1.08. They now have a 64bit executable.
Enjoy the view. :thumbsup:

[AlexN]

That's sensational Marc!

Seamless blending on the panels and tons of detail to swim in.

You must struggle choosing what scope to use having 4 imaging scopes with fairly similar focal lengths...

[Atmos]

Looks amazing Marc, I am so envious :P

[multiweb]

Thanks Alex. :thumbsup: It's been a long while. Where you've been?
I know what you mean. I have more scopes than clear nights. :lol: Well for the field I take the FSQ106N. At home the 8" F/4 now. Still got the C11 with the hyperstar but that's for summer time. I have another refractor which I'll probably sell because I'm getting a Mewlon 210 soon for long FL galaxy stuff. :) So see, it's all planned out.


Thanks Colin. :thumbsup: Just get out there and enjoy yourself. That's what it's all about.

[AlexN]

I had a 6 year break in which I have built, raced and sold a race car, at extreme financial loss Hahaha. I Found the woman of my dreams, had two beautiful girls and about two months ago I found myself outside at dusk, gazing towards alnitak thinking... You know what I need. A good quiet hobby that can be performed from the back yard. Got a mount, a c130slt and a baby sbig and off I went. The mount I bought 2nd hand was a total dud. It's been two months of tweaks, tuning, replacement parts and headaches but I do feel I'm just about back in the game ... Feel like a total new though. Drift alignment took me ages. Setup takes ages. Processing has been a nightmare. But I am having fun

[Placidus]

Superb, Marc. That went straight into the “Brilliant works by others” folder.

I very much like the way it shows the relative brightnesses of the Eta Carinae nebula, Gabriela Mistral, and the Gem Cluster and it's often overlooked background neb. There’s detail all the way in.

[rustigsmed]

didnt think i'd see ETA for a while being the end of the season, but glad i have! Great work, and yes 4 panel mosaic i seem to think this should be one panel for you for some reason. nice to have the scope options!

Russ

[gregbradley]

That looks fantastic Marc.

Greg.

[multiweb]

Quite a story. Good to see you back under the stars.

Thanks a lot Mike. :thumbsup: Bit of HDR needed across the strip but I tried to respect the light as much as possible.


Thanks Russ. It still pretty high. Yeah, one panel with a lens. :)

Thanks a lot Greg :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Came together nicely Marc, I like deep sky panorama compositions like this :thumbsup:

Mike

[multiweb]

Thanks big Mike. :thumbsup: Eta's always bright, high and available.

[RickS]

Nicely stitched up, Marc!

[multiweb]

Thanks Rick. :thumbsup: Registar always does an impeccable job.

[Ross G]

Beautiful wide photo Marc.

You are the "Master of Mosaics"!

Ross.