Urban Keyhole

[Peter Ward]

Found some H-alpha data from last year's Malins' that I rather liked...but never published on its own....which of course was sticking with my incessant Eta Carina program :).....

The RC16 was in Blitzkrieg mode that night...capturing sublime data in short order, awesome optics plus excellent seeing...the seeing being a rare event at my location....but when it happens. :cool:

Do you think the result was not too shabby? (http://www.atscope.com.au/BRO/gallery396.html)

[Martin Pugh]

Sublime indeed mate. You obviously now need to incorporate that into the Carina image you took with the RH305 (or was it the Alluna?). Would look pretty awesome methinks.

cheers
Martin

[multiweb]

Subzero cool Peter. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Peter Ward]

Thanks guys...if the image has a familiar look, it's because I did indeed incorporate this h-alpha data into the colour image that got the Malin award and APOD last year.

Looking at the h-alpha on its own however, it has a certain drama to it that I thought was rather special....hence the stand alone posting.

[Atmos]

This is why I need to be shooting with something bigger than my 5" scope :thumbsup:

[Peter Ward]

LOL.

Wide field....while somewhat wussy....:)...can be just as striking. Maybe embrace it more (without taking out the car loan) ...move say to a 4" FSQ?

[LewisM]

Really sharp Peter, but you've washed out the colour too much :P :P :P :P :P

[Atmos]

Not enough of a backwards step, should get a Zeiss 135mm F/2 and go WIDE :P

[Peter Ward]

As Sgt. Schultz would say: Jolly jokers! :lol:

The stars at the extreme edge deserve some recognition...remarkably tight given this was taken with a 16803 sensor.

[LewisM]

I resemble that remark

[zardos123]

power ,drama and detail, appears to have it all would make a lovely mono print

[Andy01]

That's awesome Peter, for the first time I see swirling gases in the three dimensional maelstrom that is the keyhole.
Thanks for posting this :thumbsup:

[Peter Ward]

My pleasure...glad you enjoyed the view.




You know :question: it might make a nice B&W art-house print. If I throw in a set of steak knives they might sell like hot cakes :)

Your feedback muchly appreciated. :thumbsup:

[leon]

Absolutely beautiful, ;) so crisp and clear, do i say well done or another one for the pool room, with the others :shrug:

Leon :thumbsup:

[Stevec35]

Definitely not shabby at all Peter. I dream about data like that.

Cheers

Steve

[alpal]

Sharp pic Peter,
You know it's good when the "finger of God"
stands out so well.
That has to be sub arc second seeing?

cheers
Allan

[Peter Ward]

Thanks Leon.



You have a superb system Steve...just a matter of being there on the right night.



Thanks for your input....but as for sub arc second seeing ...I wish!

No, it's about 2 arc sec. The norm from my backyard is more like 3-4 arc sec. The 16803 CCD is a big chip (you are looking at a 50% sized image) and while the optics should deliver 5 micron stars to the focal plane, sadly, I rarely see single 9-micron pixel illumination!

But during winter, big blocking-high weather systems descend over Sydney (five or six nights a year) and if I'm not away working or have a full moon when it happens, things tighten up remarkably.

The other important aspects of my imaging system are thermal control (via Zerodur optics, Carbon fibre and environmental fans) and Adaptive Optics. Particularly the AO. During nights with slow seeing, the AO simply works. Needle like stars are eazy-peezy at 300mm.....but they lack resolution..and heroic exposure times to make a stand-out image.

Imaging at the Alluna's native FL of 3300mm it's rare to see needles to say the least! ...seeing dominates the view....so when it finally does co-operate, having perfect guiding, optical correction and focus all ready to roll seems like a no-brainer to me.

Occasionally you do get lucky and it all comes together.... as it did for me here.

[marc4darkskies]

Very cool! Lots to look at! :thumbsup: But oh how I wish you'd post a full res version! :sadeyes: Hmmmm ... you know my email address so feel free to put me out of my misery! :)

[Placidus]

Peter, your ability to produce crisp high contrast detail, both in dust and shock fronts, continues to delight and amaze. All our favourite bits and pieces are there as sharp as can be!

[topheart]

I second that!
Cheers,
Tim