M16 in near infrared

[Stevec35]

This a near infrared image of M16 using Astrodon infrared filters which utilize the fact that the STXL6303 sensor has response out past 1100 nm.

Many more normally obscured stars are visible in the infrared image. and the "pillars" are less prominent. Anyway it's something different.

Cheers

Steve

http://members.pcug.org.au/~stevec/M16_IR_STXL6303_RC14.htm

[Atmos]

There is quite a few more smaller stars within the field. Interesting field :)

[Stevec35]

Thanks Colin. You always get interesting results with infrared where there's lots of dust.

[Andy01]

As Spock would say - Fascinating! ;)

Pretty cool new rendition of a well seen target :thumbsup:

[Ryderscope]

Certainly is a fascinating rendition and brings out the ‘pillars’ nicely.

[Stevec35]

Thanks Rodney. Actually I think the pillars are less prominent in IR



Thanks Andy. It certainly is a different look.

[JA]

Very nicely done Steve:thumbsup:

Best
JA

[Stevec35]

Thanks very much

[gregbradley]

A very interesting and fresh take on a familiar target.

Greg.

[cometcatcher]

That's very cool. You will have to re-shoot everything in IR now.

[Merlin66]

Interesting result....
Looking at the QE curve it doesn't seem to go beyond 1100nm....

[Stevec35]

Correct. I guess most of the action is probably happening in the 700 - 900 nm range.



I doubt it. It's only worth doing for some targets. Mainly where there is dust in the way.



Thanks Greg. It's a new look.

[LewisM]

Faskinating. VERY faskinating.

Wonder how it'd go combined with H-a and LRGB...

[Stevec35]

Yes, it works well for some objects. I'l probably get round to merging it with other colours at some stage.

[atalas]

Yeah more stars Steve but not very pretty is It.

[Stevec35]

Sorry you don't like it Louie. I almost always go for the unusual stuff and this is my latest attempt to do just that.

[multiweb]

Looks great Steve. :thumbsup: Have you tried to blend it with Ha and a Lum? Looks pretty cool mapped to RGB. See the stepped reflection you get on your bright stars? I've got the same (https://zbt1yg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4mW0mqTSvKjkq1tslV90bccUo-LN2c5cKU8jxIMlC2Zinf9vLUZjSdB3zRAjs zdX7IXmIbTjoemSQcu5dbQ_cZZz9cRtQCRr 0lNkASbPgjgRp7A_6vlxNF5ldz3uMErJGR6 BVvyElupRKhTzcMNNeWj6CXq8dj3vsaKb1H sfogIOXhzsIEoyM1lek2cbp3416-t2nnxweAf350VKHcMOU7Pw/NGC3372_NIR-blend_fff.jpg?psid=1) on a refractor. I reckon the IR bounces internally in telescopes where visible light and other bandpass don't.

[Merlin66]

Based on our work with spectroscopes.... we find that black anodised parts are very (I mean VERY) good reflectors in NIR and above. Velvet flocking recommended.

[Stevec35]

Noted. Of course this is not intended to be very scientifically accurate. Just to demonstrate in general terms what objects look like in NIR as opposed to visual.



Thanks Marc. Don Goldman says that the stepped reflection is due to the CCD cover slip not being optimized for canceling out IR reflections so I think your explanation is pretty close to the truth.

[multiweb]

Right, didn't think about the CCD reflections. Makes sense given their size. Have you ever done the HH in IR? I reckon that'd be pretty cool. Like M16 you've got only the pilars and central region with a black starry background, the HH should almost be like a negative pricture, bright silhouette without the red curtains in the back. I wanted to try last summer but it got stinking hot. Might try at astofest it it gets high enough. :question:

[Stevec35]

You mean the waterfall nebula? That would be a good one for sure with all the dust around. I think that might be an upcoming project.

[multiweb]

No, the horse head.

[Stevec35]

Ah sorry - senior moment

[multiweb]

Must be my French spelling. :lol: I had no idea the waterfall neb official designation was HH. Well, you learn something every day. :)
I did Orion in IR (https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21ACnUIS_stUVCu-s&cid=6930D3AD12D5044C&id=6930D3AD12D5044C%211350&parId=6930D3AD12D5044C%211054&o=OneUp) a while ago and it's a good candidate as well. More stars. But the horse head should be more dramatic.

[Stevec35]

No - I think you were correct. Somehow I had a fixation on the waterfall nebula. Certainly the horsehead would be a very good candidate.

[RickS]

That's very cool, Steve!

[Stevec35]

Thanks Rick. Given it's infrared I suppose the term "cool" is appropriate.

[John Hothersall]

You have picked up so many extra stars that were hidden in rgb, a few deep red IR stars lurking.

John.

[Stevec35]

Thanks John. M16 is one of the objects that shows up well this way. Not all do.