Xmas Tree

[casstony]

I took this over the last two nights during full moon with the L-enhance filter. The filter doesn't do as well as narrower band filters, mainly because the OIII band is not so narrow, but it does help subdue moonlight significantly.

The Cone at one end and Fox Fur at the other end show up nicely with the bigger refractor.

3.5 hours of 5 minute subs through the 150ED with Apex 0.65 reducer.

[Saturnine]

That's quite a respectable effort considering the moonlight. The L- Enhance filter certainly seems to cut through well and the 150mm ED seems a versatile scope for imaging and visual. Enjoy seeing your images.

[Mickoid]

A commendable effort under a full moon when most of us would not even contemplate imaging deep sky objects under such conditions. You're proving that you should never let a clear night go by without giving it a go. When do you ever sleep? :lol:

[casstony]

Thanks Jeff and Michael.

The L-Enhance is a big advantage under light pollution generally and it cuts off the blue star bloat that would otherwise happen with the FPL51? doublet.
I hope Optolong releases a filter similar to the OPT Triad Ultra but at half the price.

The outlook is cloudy so I'll be able to catch up on sleep Mick :) I had extra incentive to go out since I'd fitted a new focuser to the scope that day plus the Orion region will disappear soon.

[multiweb]

Great details. Very nice field too. Well done. :thumbsup:

[casstony]

Thanks Marc. I'm happy with the big refractor and it guides well on the AZ-EQ6.

[Ant0nio]

Perfect framing for this target with the ED150 & Apex FRFF, & some lovely detail there Tony. :thumbsup: I reckon this is worth another shot without the Moon.
Cheers,
Tony

[casstony]

Thanks Tony. I'll certainly try to repeat this without the moon before it's gone for this season - should be a very nice image without the moonlight.

[Startrek]

Tony
Great image considering the moons was up
If you keep imaging at this rate your going to run out of objects by the end of this year !!
Can I have some of your clear nights up here
I’ve probably asked before but whats your imaging camera ?
Well done !

[Startrek]

Tony
Sorry, just saw it on your post , a Nikon 5600 modded
Nice camera

[casstony]

Thanks Martin. It's a perfect camera for my cool climate and casual imaging style..... and it's cheap and relatively easy to modify.

I might get another go at the Xmas tree tonight - forecast to be clear until moonrise around 11pm and a low of 7 degrees. The camera seems best when minimums are headed towards 12 degrees or less.

[Startrek]

Tony
Yes DSLR’s are a versatile camera for Astro but suffer terribly from noise when the temperature is above 18 degrees degrees C
I made a little cooling fan for my Canon 600D which drops the sensor electronics by 5 degrees , it does help a bit in my images
I making the step to a ZWO OSC cooled camera later this year and can’t wait ( when the supply chain from China eventually starts flowing again ??? )
Cheers
Martin

[casstony]

If I lived farther north I'd be using a cooled camera too Martin, however the Nikon d5600 has much less noise than the Canon 600D and does well enough in my climate.

[LostInSp_ce]

I'm not familiar with this one Tony but whatever it is you certainly showcased it well. Looks like an interesting target to try one day. Thanks for sharing.

[casstony]

Thanks. I gave it another run without the moon and it turned out a little better, even with 1/3 total imaging time.