Skull Nebula, NGC 246

[Geoff45]

I have had no luck with the weather at Wiruna for months and months and months....
I had a small window last new moon and got SOME data in s..t seeing--about 3.5" FWHM.
So for what it's worth, here is the result. It looks OK from a distance, but I don't suggest looking too closely.
http://www.astrobin.com/265582/

It does look like an object that is worth pursuing, although the weather doesn't look as if it will be cooperating at Wiruna this new moon.


Scope: 12.5" Planewave
Camera: FLI 16803
Exposure: 5L, 3R, 2G, 2B all at 10min
FOV: 32' x 32'
Geoff

[glend]

I have considered chasing the Skull but now seeing the size of it at your 2500mm focal length i think i will pass, my little 1250mm fl is not going to do it justice.
Btw it looks ok, your too critical me thinks.

[strongmanmike]

Nothing wrong with that Geoff, looks quite ok to me....for some reason, this is one of those objects that has never excited me enough to bother imaging :question:..still, I enjoyed your result :thumbsup:

Mike

[Atmos]

That looks pretty good Geoff, better than my attempt about a year ago (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=139394). A target that would probably benefit from better seeing for resolution but that's entirely out of your control!

[RickS]

Looks good for so little data, Geoff. Hope you get some decent weather again soon!

Cheers,
Rick.

[Geoff45]

Thanks Glen. I think that 1250 focal length would be fine with good seeing.


Thanks Michael. I guess PNs and nebulae don't suffer as much from bad seeing as galaxies do. Also, this object is pretty bright, so it's less critical to get good data.


Thanks Colin


Thanks Rick. Good weather seems lke a distant memory

[SimmoW]

Gawd, that is a little fella! Nice work Geoff. Yeah this cloudy weather has been, and still is, sucky..

[Geoff45]

Thanks Simon. Glad you like it.
Geoff

[gregbradley]

That's a beauty Geoff.

Greg.

[Placidus]

That's good, Geoff. The detail is already there. It looks like it would reward more exposure on another occasion.

This winter would be a very bad one to try astrophotography as a new hobby. Money in, rainwater out.

[Stevec35]

Nice skull nebula Geoff. Perhaps more data might improve it but there's certainly nothing wrong with the existing image.

Cheers

Steve

[Geoff45]

Thanks Greg


Thanks Mike. Detail may be there but it's not really crisp is it?


Thanks for the positive comment Steve. I'd certainly like to get sharper detail and a smoother sky.
Geoff

[Slawomir]

Nice work Geoff with such limited data.

There area already a few hints of distant galaxies present in your photo :thumbsup:

[Geoff45]

Thanks Suavi. More exposure is definitely on the cards.
Geoff

[multiweb]

That's a very good result considering the conditions. :thumbsup: I hear you about the weather...

[topheart]

A good skull indeed!
Cheers,
Tim

[Geoff45]

Thanks Marc and Tim. I got some better data on Friday night. Be interesting to see how much difference it makes.
Geoff