Ngc 2997

[codemonkey]

Finally managed to get some clear skies! I started this one months ago, but various things (mostly weather) conspired against me and so I've only just now managed to get anything close to a reasonable amount of time on it.

As usual I should probably have gotten more data, but got a little too eager to process it and now I find myself posting it. Total time is just shy of 7hrs.

The data captured months ago (a mere 2.5hrs) had some of the sharpest data I've ever had. The recent data was pretty average, and I think the collimation needs a tweak now too.

Full res on Astrobin (https://www.astrobin.com/398817/).

Edit: More data / reprocess

[Placidus]

Superb! Beautifully processed. A lovely inspiring result.

[Atmos]

Really well done Lee, lots of faint fuzzies in the background and especially along the left side of the frame. It’s nicely detailed :thumbsup:

[multiweb]

+1 Very detailed shot. Gorgeous colours. :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Top shot Lee, overall one of the best looking versions of this galaxy I have seen :thumbsup:

Mike
I know the feeling of needing to bloody well process something!:scared:

[Geoff45]

Great shot Lee. Nice vibrant colour. Sharp.
Geoff

[Camelopardalis]

Nice shot Lee :thumbsup:

Is it just me or do the stars look a little streaky, all in the same direction? TL -> BR? Could just be my eyes of course :eyepop:

[kosborn]

Very nice and particularly well processed. Really like the colour.


Kevin

[codemonkey]

Thanks mate :-)



Thanks Colin!



Cheers Marc :-)



Thanks Mike :-) When'll you be back at it again? You've got all your new gear finally, right?



Thanks Geoff :-)



Cheers Dunk :-)

Not your eyes mate, unless it's mine too. That's what I was referring to when I said that I thought the collimation was out. I don't think it's guiding; it doesn't line up with either ra or dec. I think it's also slightly worse towards the top left than the bottom right. I've had similar issues in the past that I believe were were caused by the mirror sticking to one of the cork pads which may cause astigmatism and might also lead to a bit of collimation shift. Last time I noticed the mirror was stuck on the pad I was seeing shift, which was resolved after freeing the mirror from the pad. Thinking I should replace the pads, or the cell entirely, not sure what with though.



Thanks Kevin :-)

[Andy01]

Stunning image Lee- top shelf processing too :thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

A wonderful 2997 Lee. I like it.

Greg.

[codemonkey]

Thanks very much Andy and Greg :-)

[strongmanmike]

Meah, soon enough...waited for all the bits to arrive for a while, then the cleaning, modifications, setup etc..been a bit slow, plus the weather and life, ah sigh :sadeyes: I'll get there.....

great 2997 again :thumbsup:

Mike

[Camelopardalis]

Phew, thought I was needing collimation myself :lol:

These newts are certainly high maintenance :sadeyes:

It's a beauty despite the (very slight) wonkiness!

[Paul Haese]

Beautifully coloured and detailed image of this galaxy Lee. The colour is quite striking.

[markas]

Splendid! Beautiful colour and detail:thumbsup::thumbsup:


Mark

[codemonkey]

Fair enough, I can certainly sympathise with that! Hope you're back up and running ASAP mate.



You got that right :( If only there was an affordable 8" F5 APO!



Thanks Paul :-)



Thanks Mark!

[codemonkey]

Had a look at the collimation today... primary looked exactly as I left it last time (perfect to the best I can read it with the cheshire). Mirror was free from all the pads. No visible collimation shift when changing altitude.

Secondary looked fractionally off according to the autocollimator, but I don't think I have the spacing on that quite right since one of my adapters is stuck on to the eyepiece adapter. I think it'd only be about 5mm out so even if I'm off a bit with the AC it should still be within tolerance :shrug:

[strongmanmike]

Just had another look at this Lee, it is really good, never thought this was such a great galaxy really :shrug: but your image has really brought it to life :thumbsup:...that's all, just had to say it :D

If you can fix those stars, hey, you will likely be at another level :thumbsup:

Mike

[Camelopardalis]

An Esprit 150 is looking appealing about now :lol:

[codemonkey]

Thanks again Mike, really appreciate your kind words :-)

Looks like we've got a few clear nights ahead and tonight is really steady... I'm going to get a few more hours on this one. Eccentricity is still high though, even with some of the best guiding I've ever seen, so definitely looking like an optical issue. When I reprocess it I'll try and see if I can apply some tricks to round up those stars. Of course the underlying data will still be compromised, but at least you might not be able to notice it so much...



lol. Whilst I would love a nice refractor again, I'm still yet to get the observatory sealed up well enough that I'd be comfortable leaving a refractor in it again after the mould issues on the Esprit 120 :(

[codemonkey]

Got some more data last night, now up to 11.3hrs. Reprocessed it, think the colour's a bit better, sharper and stars are a bit less elongated now.

[DJT]

what an excellent image. The detail is really good and the colours seem just right.👍

[codemonkey]

Thanks David :-)