Ha Cats Paw

[peter_4059]

Managed to get a couple of hours with the SN10 on the Cats Paw last night - all in Ha due to the full moon. I'm quite pleased with how this turned out.

Here's the full res version: http://astrob.in/191814/0/

Comments/advice welcome.

[Paul Haese]

Nice detail Peter and the contrast is just right in my opinion.

[topheart]

Strong data indeed!!

Good to see the moon didn't have any impact at all!

Cheers,
Tim

[ozstronomer]

Nice image Peter, looks like you have that scope all sorted.

Should get some great data from Astrofest

Cheers Geoff

[RickS]

A good result, Peter! Do you have a little bit of tilt? The stars in the top right corner look slightly funky to me.

Cheers,
Rick.

[peter_4059]

Yes - I think it is the camera-focuser interface as it was all good the previous night. Being a compression fitting interface (all others are screwed) it can be tricky to ensure the camera is sitting perfectly square and I like to remove the camera at the end of the session each night to keep it safe.

[multiweb]

Wow! Excellent shot Peter. A wealth of details in that field. Super sharp. Agree about the contrast. Just right. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[troypiggo]

Lovely. Looks like you've got the optics sorted for sure, now.

[peter_4059]

Thanks Paul.



Cheers Tim. I was quite surprised the moon didn't have a bigger impact. There are some large trees that were shielding the OTA from it however I'm surprised the skyglow wasn't a bigger issue.



Thanks Geoff. It's quite a relief to finally be getting some images after many months of messing around with the OTA. Looking forward to Astrofest and hopefully the end of the dew issues.



Thanks Marc. It's an interesting nebula with so much variation in the structures.



Fingers crossed. A few more clear nights and some LRGB imaging would be good to see if it is going to fit the bill.

[Placidus]

Excellent image, Peter. Very sharp and beautifully processed - bringing out faint detail while preserving highlights and overall feel.

[strongmanmike]

Wow, some reeeeally great details there Peter :eyepop:...a good Ha shot that :thumbsup:

Mike

[peter_4059]

Thanks for the encouragement.



Cheers Mike. It's nice to get a good result after so many months of rubbish weather followed by months of tinkering with this ota. I'm looking forward to some new moon nights now.

[Rex]

Great Shot Peter, as has been said awesome detail and contrast.

[strongmanmike]

Yes and I see from your equipment thread that said tinkering may well have paid off :thumbsup:

Mike

[gregbradley]

That's a superb Ha image Peter. Welcome to the tinkering club!

Greg

[peter_4059]

Thanks for all the feedback Rex, Mike and Greg. I'm beginning to think that tinkering is almost as much fun as getting an image.

I also thought I'd share the back-story. Our poor cat was unwell on Wednesday night so we took him to the vet for a check up on Thursday. By Friday he was admitted to a specialist animal hospital and on Saturday night he was put to sleep. When NGC6334 came into view on Friday night it seemed like a fitting choice.

He wasn't an old cat and had been extremely healthy up until Wednesday. He was an outstanding cat with an amazing personality and is sadly missed. As you can imagine your positive feedback has been greatfully received.

Thanks.

[strongmanmike]

Yes, very fitting then :( :)

Mike

[RickS]

Sorry about the poor cat, Peter :(

[Garbz]

Oh wow. That's crap news. This target must be cursed in a way. I was doing the cat's paw 2 years ago and between the first and second night mum ran over my cat in the driveway. :sadeyes: