NGC7293 The Helix Nebula

[cometcatcher]

NGC7293 The Helix Nebula, data from April to June 2015. 810 x 30 seconds, Baader Semi-Apo and Astronomik CLS filters, HEQ5 Pro unguided, Pentax K-5. Bigger at Astrobin. ---> http://astrob.in/188560/0/

My longest (total) exposure to date of 6.8 hours. It's taken 6 nights with this stupid weather since April to get this much data. It's been the wettest winter we've had for many years. Can see some of the outer loop.

I put some pavers in the backyard so I can setup the scope without it sinking into the ground.

[Rex]

Nice going Kevin. Lovely star colours mate and the you can see the outer ring coming through as well. Nice job with the pavers as well mate, should make it easier to set up and align each time as altitude shouldn't change much from one time to the next.

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Rex. Now I just need to build an observatory around it. ;)

[strongmanmike]

A lovely solid image that Kevin :thumbsup:

The frustration of weather and life and how it affects those without automated remote setups in dark locations that can be literally programmed to do everything (which must be very cool), is made worth it when a beautiful scene like this ends up on the screen :)

Your setup looks very neat and capable too...shame it doesn't get blessed with more clear weather and seeing Lewis thinks I am friends with the Deacon, here, I'll pray for you :prey: :innocent:

Mike

[Mick]

Very nice Kevin.

[Placidus]

Very fine Kevin. A Herculean effort, well rewarded. Good, gentle, unforced colour in the nebula. Several little edge-on spirals in the background.

[Rod771]

Gee that looks alright Kev! Only viewing on the IPad ATM (IPad one too), kids are hogging the PC. Nice star colours, great effort!

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Mike. Well a few of us here in Mackay bought some new astro gear so the sky gods have rain planned for a while. :sadeyes:



Thanks Mick!



Thanks Mike! It's been ages since I imaged this thing. I think this is actually my first serious DSLR go at it.



Thanks Rod!

[rustigsmed]

Seriously kev that us an amazing image you should be proud of your efforts here. You have beautiful colour and I really don't think you can get any more outer shell unless going nb and that's from 30 sec subs is incredible. Amazing work champ.

Russ

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Russ! I don't think I'm going to get more outer shell unless I use a modified camera. Then I think it would be possible.

[Somnium]

looks like the perfect spot for an observatory

[cometcatcher]

That's what I was thinking. That spot has a good view.

[gregbradley]

That's gorgeous. Love the colours.

Greg.

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Greg. I think the filters helped with the colours, especially since the camera is unmodified.

[Tony_]

Beautiful image Kevin, great colors - and you took your scope for a trip outside - the pavers is closer to an observatory than I have!

Tony.

[Camelopardalis]

Wow Kevin, what a cracker :thumbsup:

[Nortilus]

Nice job Kevin, if only this Mackay weather would clear while im on holidays from uni I might get a chance too...

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Tony. Yes the outside trip was needed to finish this before the bad weather set in. Just got it in time.



Thanks Dunk!



Yeah I know Josh. It's winter, it should be clear!

[RickS]

That's a really nice Helix, Kevin!

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

You really amaze me what you do with a lot of short exposures Kevin!!

Quite a lot of detail and nice colour.:thumbsup:

Cheers,

Justin.

[AlexN]

This is really amazing for 30sec subs with an unmodified camera.

I might give this a try, at my location skyglow kills longer exposures.

How many darks do you usually take to subtract from hundreds of lights?

Very nice indeed.

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Rick!



Thanks Justin! I am continuing the recipe with a 10" F4 scope now too. If I had a 20" F4 I'd.... probably behave and do it properly. Or not. :P



Thanks Alex. Usually 20 darks is all. But I took this image in 3 sets so the number of total darks would be around 60.

If you are shooting nebula a gentle LP / Skyglow filter will help in light polluted sky.

[rmuhlack]

810 subs is quite an effort indeed !! did you stack them all at once or in batches which were later combined? either way its a great result under challenging conditions :thumbsup:

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Richard! Three batches from 5 nights. Half of them out the kitchen window. ;)

[AlexN]

.... Out the window. You are kidding right? You get results like this without even braving the outside world. Just seems so unfair.

[cometcatcher]

I kid you not. I've been known to do stupid things to get astro photos. This is my 10 inch out the window. :)

[Camelopardalis]

Awesome Kevin :thumbsup: I'm guessing you don't have a dew problem ;)

[cometcatcher]

Not inside I don't. :D Actually that's one of the reasons I shoot indoors. I have yet to invest in a dew heater cos when It's bad, as it has been this "winter", I can't image outdoors for very long before everything dews up.

[multiweb]

Looks great! :thumbsup: Really nicely done.

[strongmanmike]

:eyepop: :lol: Gold!

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Marc!



And a bit silly. :lol: FYI The largest diameter scope I've imaged out that window was an 11 inch F5.2 Newtonian. The longest focal length scope was an 8 inch F8.8 Newtonian. Sold the latter, dismantled the former.