The Horsehead Nebula

[gregbradley]

This was the first real image I took using the CFF 105mm F6 and FLI Proline 16803 a few months ago now. A small amount of tilt was still uncorrected but its not that noticeable.

Seeing wasn't that great and clouds threatened. But still a nice wide view and some LDN objects up in the top left.

https://pbase.com/gregbradley/image/170730728/large

Greg.

[JA]

You've got to love the depth of the black and the fine nebulous detail.
Excellent Greg :thumbsup:

Best
JA

[Peter Ward]

Some interesting diagonal "diffraction" spikes (I know they are not) are happening on the brighter stars....and a curiosity/instrumentation quibble at best. :question:

But the overall image is really good.
So vibrant and inviting!
Most excellent :thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Cheers JA. Its always an interesting imaging target.



Yes the FLI Proline 16803 has always shown these little diagonals. A peculiarity to them for some reason. I presume its something to do with microlenses but it may be something else. The other FLI cameras I have/have had don't show it. Perhaps its something that could be adjusted in the firmware.

Greg.

[Ryderscope]

A grand horse head Greg. The wider field presents the object nicely :thumbsup:

[multiweb]

Top shot Greg. Love the colors and details. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
Totally missed that one this season. Such a cool part of the sky.

[gregbradley]

I agree, there are some interesting items in the wider field. I would have liked to go longer but the weather was unstable.



Thanks Marc. I tried doing a similar shot with an AP140 and its quad corrector but the adapter I was using had a step in it and this caused an odd reflection that looked like a spiral galaxy!
I also have a similar shot taken on the AP Honders:

https://pbase.com/gregbradley/image/165243586/large

Greg.

[Andy01]

Beautiful wide field there Greg. :thumbsup:
The Horsehead has been popularly done to death in a zillion closeups paired with the flame, so it's really refreshing to see it all in context - love it! :)

[strongmanmike]

Some slightly wonky/flared stars across the frame as you say, which I think you have dealt with since and perhaps a little colour variation missing :confuse3:... but otherwise, wow, it's really quite a compelling, sparkly, glowing and interesting scene :thumbsup: One of the classic fields that I hope to finally shoot myself with the FSQ :camera: some day

Mike

[gregbradley]

Thanks Andy. It turned out reasonably well as the weather was not great and it was one of the very first images I took.



Thanks Mike. I wanted to take a fair bit more exposure time on this but as it turned out the weather the following nights turned sour. Still I managed to extract something half decent out of it. Yes the blue reflection cave near the Horsie is missing the blue hues. Just lack of exposure time really.
You would have laughed seeing how jerryrigged my AP1600 was to handle the CFF piggybacked on the CDK. Old bike batteries - you name it, got taped to the counterweights!

[strongmanmike]

Ahhh naah (https://pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/166437751/originl) I wouldn't have and (https://pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/134719005/original) :lol:

...love to see batteries hanging off an AP1600 though...:question:

Mike

[gregbradley]

Haha, yes it would be a close competition there.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

:rofl: yes indeed...that looks awesome! :lol:...love to find a bit of land next to you someday to share such crazy experiences, they make our hobby :thumbsup:

Mike

[gregbradley]

Yes that would be fun. I have since become more civilised and gotten 2 x 11kg gym weights. Hard to find. There's been a run on them since the virus started. I had to get them off ebay, all the gym stores had none.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

...I've been looking....;)

[Slawomir]

I really like the wide field Greg. Please send your photo of improvised counterweights to George from AP. Or better not :lol:

[gregbradley]

Hehehe, better not they may steal the design!

Greg

[graham.hobart]

A really warm and colourful shot Greg, beautifully done.

[Placidus]

A rich and rewarding image. Features we've not noticed before.



A tiny strand of spider's web actually inside the light train once caused a single diffraction spike like that for us. The spider must have been born in there.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Graham.



Some small spiders can actually ride air currents. They spin a small length of web and they are so light they fly up.

Greg.

[marc4darkskies]

I like this a lot Greg! :thumbsup:

It's a lovely image and has excellent depth but your colour balance is a smidge off IMHO. Yes, you need more blue data but it actually has a slight yellow cast that subdues what little blue data you have. A quick tweak in PS to reduce highlight yellow confirmed this and brought out the blues more without creating a blue cast.

[gregbradley]

Thanks for the tip Marcus. Ye I thought the colour wasn't on the money as the little cave next to the Horsehead has blue reflection nebula in it.

I'll try that and repost the result.

Greg.

[Nikolas]

Lovely widefield shot

[gregbradley]

Thanks Nik. I would've liked more exposure but that is true of any image.

Greg.

[topheart]

Well done Greg!

An interesting discussion too.
Cheers,
Tim

[gregbradley]

Thanks Tim.

Greg.