So anyway... about today's APOD....

[Andy01]

Thrilled, gobsmakked and deeply moved that NASA have chosen my image as their APOD today.

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap160531.html

Following on from Peter Ward's amazing APOD image last week, seems that Aussies are on a roll.

... and it's taken from my backyard too :D

Once again, big thanks to all of you who have so graciously helped me out with your encouraging comments and critiques, the IIS fraternity rocks!

Andy (can't wipe this stupid grin off my face) :lol:

[graham.hobart]

Fantastic News Andy-well done and a deserving image. IIS does rock indeed!!
Graz:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Slawomir]

That's fantastic Andy :thumbsup:

Keep them coming! :)

[Atmos]

Congratulations Andy! Well deserved :)

[Peter Ward]

Fantastic result. You must be chuffed!

Well deserved APOD

[RickS]

Congrats, Andy!

[blink138]

it is well deserved sir!
pat

[rustigsmed]

hey hey!
congrats Andy massive accomplishment and great image.

rusty

[Placidus]

Bravo! Well done! We're thrilled for you.

[FlashDrive]

That's really outstanding ...:thumbsup:

[niharika]

Well done Andy :)

[RB]

Well done, congrats Andy.

RB

:thumbsup:

[Ross G]

Great looking photo Andy.

Congratulations on the APOD....amazing work!

Ross.

[alpal]

Congratulations Andy - well done.

cheers
Allan

[gregbradley]

Well done Andy.

Its a super image.

Greg.

[Retrograde]

Congratulations Andy a fantastic image and a well deserved APOD!
Are they RGB stars? They look great in any case.

[h0ughy]

fanbl00dytastic and it really supports what i was rabbiting on about in another thread (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=146175) - congratulations

[janoskiss]

Well done! You have every reason to be proud and have that "stupid grin" on your face!! :thumbsup:

[gvanhau]

Congrats Andy!

[Andy01]

Thanks everyone for your kind and supportive comments.

I love the way the IIS crew support one another, it's very motivating and helpful.

A bit of personal philosophy if I may.

We often work alone in this hobby, under the stars and deprived of human contact so it's wonderful to enjoy and share one another's accomplishments (and not so accomplishments!) on this forum.
It's a bit like a virtual star party on your lounge room :)

So to Graham, Suavi, Colin, Peter, Rick S, Pat, Rusty, M&T, Col, Raki, Andrew, Ross, Alan, Greg, Pete, Houghy Geert & Steve H, (and Mike S, Paul H, George in Darwin, Marc, Marcus, Marco, Bert, Al Sam, Rodney, Murray, Troy, Ray, Jen, Trevor, Bob, Simmo, Uri, Adrian, Ross, Phil, Richard, Michael, Lee, Geoff, Paul M, Paul L, Malcolm and anyone else I missed (I'm sorry but but thanks anyway) - deepest thanks for your endorsements, comments and deserved critiques- I honestly couldn't have got to this point in my imaging journey this fast without you!

It was only around three years ago since my first post here, and four since I looked through a telescope for the first time!

Oh, Pete, yes they are RGB stars- Paul H & Marcus rightly beat me up a little about them on my original attempt, so I tried harder to improve them on this version.

Thats why IIS works :)

Cheers everyone!

[strongmanmike]

Ha ha, well, not bad Andy..... for a garish OTT astroimage that is....:whistle: ;)

I see the first link in the APOD blurb there is to my Garish OTT version :painting:...that also shows once and for all exactly where the chicken is! :)

Mike

[vlazg]

Good one Andy, congratulations. Well deserved.
I finally managed to get out last night, ngc 6188, Ha and looking good.

[Bassnut]

Fantastic contemporary presentation Andy, it pops and colour balance is masterfully done. The Mike S link is funny too. And congrats on the APOD, very well done!

[pfitzgerald]

A thoroughly deserving APOD Andy - well done.

Paul

[Andy01]

Lol, cheers Mike - maybe the Apod guys enjoy garish ott images!
Hey if the shoe fits ...


Onya George, well done- was great to catch up in Darwin, must visit again :)



Cheers Fred, nice to see you back on IIS :)
You have certainly inspired many of my imaging attempts, so thankyou for the nice compliment :thumbsup:



Cheers Paul, hope to see you again at the next SV astrocamp :)

[pfitzgerald]

Same here Andy - I'll be there.

Paul

[multiweb]

Top shots. Great colors. Congrats. :thumbsup:

[Andy01]

Mike have you seen this? Another interpretation of the "chicken".
Personally: chicken, schmicken - I prefer to call it the "Gungan" nebula :)

[The_bluester]

Top image AC.

the only thing that has been lacking this year has been good new moon weekend opportunities that work to come out to my place. It is certainly more fun observing with company.

[strongmanmike]

:lol: love it....but...they (and you) are wrong :D

Mike

[rustigsmed]

I think we need to do a serious poll on this matter.
Have all the different running chicken variations in the first post and have the masses decide.

[strongmanmike]

Juuuust in case it is not clear to some, I do only run with this issue as an ongoing fun gag :P..in reality, I couldn't give a hen where people think the running chicken is, it is just a bit of fun :thumbsup:...However arhem :whistle:.. the origin of the running chicken shape is indeed originally linked with AAO and Schmidt plates and the outline I have pushed for some time now....just like the Toby Jug (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/162509110/original)nebula is linked with AAO too :)

Mike

[topheart]

Well done!
Tim

[janoskiss]

Good one! I'm going to steal that purely for fair use educational purposes. :thanx:

[Decimus]

Congrats, Andy. What an honour and a just reward for your stellar pic (:). Well done! :thumbsup:
Cheers,
Richard

[Andy01]

Thanks for your kind words Marc, Paul, Steve,Tim & Richard.
I submitted the image on a whim when I saw Peter Wards' amazing Carina image.
I had no expectations so was gobsmakked when I got the acceptance notification email a couple of days later.
If there's a lesson to be learned here it's that IIS folks are capable of producing world class astro images and we should believe in our abilities, and continue to support one another's efforts.
It seems that APOD has an incredible reach, this image was shared over 500 times worldwide on their FB page alone!
Pretty amazing for a backyard image taken with modest gear :)

[marc4darkskies]

Hearty contrats Andy! Well deserved!

[DJT]

Congrats, Andy, that's an awesome image and the APOD is well deserved.

:thumbsup: