McNaught with LMC and SMC - 18th feb

[rogerg]

G'day all,

I took a trip out to the wheatbelt last night in an attempt to get a few shots of the comet with the magellanic clouds. I was hoping to get the Southern Cross in frame also but my 17mm wouldn't stretch that far :(

I'm reasonably happy with these shots except for the edge distortion. Perhaps not perfectly focussed which emphasised this distortion.

Nice startrail shot at the end too, shame I can't see the comet in it, I think it was too low in the muck covering the bottom 10 degrees of the horizon.

http://www.rogergroom.com/rogergroom/esh_rog_gallery.jsp?Item=559

Roger.

[h0ughy]

wow they are fantastic

[tornado33]

Excellent shots. Looks like was very dark skies there.
Scott

[leon]

Gee i like those images Roger, very nice indeed.

Cheers leon

[strongmanmike]

Yes great comet shots Roger :thumbsup:

Looks like a nice spot you go to, where is it exactly?

Mike

[rogerg]

Thanks all..

Mike: It's Kokerbin Rock, which is the 3rd largest granite monolith in Australia. It's situated about half way between the towns of Quairading and Bruce Rock, about 2.5 hours from the estern edge of the Perth metro area. Quite isolated with no light visible on any horizons on a good night, a little on a bad (foggy or dusty) night). My girlfriend and I have been camping there for 5+ years, and about 2 years ago I started going out there with fellow amateur astronomers just for astronomy (previously the focus was more nature & landscape photography). I just advertise any coming trip in ASWA and see if anyone wants to join in.

It's a good spot, although it'd be nice if the local shire would maintain the facilities provided.

Roger.

[gaa_ian]

Great shots roger !
Looks like a very good observing area

[Ric]

Fantastic images Roger.

Excellent work

[iceman]

Excellent images Roger, looks like a lovely site.

[Garyh]

Hi roger, nice shot of the MCs and mcnaught...I get exactly the same distortions on the left hand side of my frames with the 17-55mm standard lense, focus is so touchy..but looks much better a stop down.
Well done!!

[rogerg]

Ahh, of course! I didn't think of stopping it down :( Next time :)

[sheeny]

excellent work Roger!

Al.

[fringe_dweller]

:thumbsup: well done Roger - gee the wheat belt area reminds me a lot of most of rural SA!

[seeker372011]

brilliant images

[atalas]

Nice shots Roger.

[EzyStyles]

well captured roger. very nice

[RB]

Great work Roger.

[CometGuy]

Roger,

Nice and deep! Is that a hint of tail going upwards from the Small Magellanic Cloud to a point to the right and about level with the Large Cloud?

Terry

[Striker]

Lovely images Roger..well done mate