SL-17 Fenrir Returns!

[Andy01]

Initially popularized here by Paul Haese, the noted Kiwi Astrophotographer Rolf Wahl Olsen noticed the resemblance to the monster of mythology and popularized the object as FENRIR NEBULA. SL 17 (Sandqvist and Lindroos 17) is the official name of this object. ;)

According to Wikipedia: In Nordic mythology Fenrir is a monstrous wolf. In mythology Fenrir is the father of the wolves SKOLL and HATI and is one of the sons of LOKI. He is presaged to kill the ODIN God during RAGNAROK and be killed by the son of ODIN VIDAR. Located in the constellation of Scorpio, the resemblance to the monster of mythology appears ready for attack, like an immense dark shadow leaping into space.
(Text borrowed from Maicon Germiniani)

When I first imaged this three years ago (https://www.astrobin.com/full/342889/C/) - I encountered some tracking issues, and had to correct the stars in Startools. Although the resulting image was shortlisted and published in the Greenwich Observatory IAPOTY yearbook for 2019, I kinda felt the need to revisit this and do it properly. :question:

Unfortunately, we're back in lockdown here in Melbourne, :rolleyes: and with travel restrictions in force I can't get to a dark site - so this HaRGB version (https://www.astrobin.com/full/vrnh3k/0/) from my suburban bortle 7 backyard will have to suffice for now! :D

There was some high cloud about while capturing the RGB, creating soft haloes around the stars, reminiscent of the Akira Fuji effect.

(I quite liked this look and instead of waiting another week for a clear night here, I may have been guilty of emphasising this a bit in post ...) :lol:

[mswhin63]

Really good image, It a coincidence that Ragnorok just started season 2 on Netflix as well.

[Andy01]

Could be Malcolm, and we just binged the entire second season! :D
Thanks for the nice feedback :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Both nice shots Andy, I like the crisp, contrasty brightness of the old version aaaand the subtlety and slightly greater details visible in the new version, hmmm? :question:..ok, I know!... blend'em! :D

Mike

[marc4darkskies]

Nice one Andy! Natural palette too - yippeeeee! :thumbsup:

I do prefer that name - it's very evocative!

[Andy01]

Cheers Mike, yep subtlety, that's my name! :lol::lol::lol::lol:



Thanks Marcus, I tripped across your version on Flikr today, nicely done! :thumbsup: That's the difference dark skies make alright! :D

[gregbradley]

That's an impressive Wolf Andy. It stands out very clearly.

Greg.

[mswhin63]

I haven't watched the full season but interested now what the tapeworm is actually. :)

[Alchemy]

Rather striking composition, nice to see you can produce some natural colour images deep within the lockdown light zone.

[Andy01]

Thanks Greg, one advantage of lockdown is being able to shooting lots of Ha from the LP backyard. :D



No spoilers but if you were to carefully watch the intro credits..... ;)



Thanks Clive, my processing skills were put to the test here, with only 30 mins of high cloud affected, colour data per channel to work with. I must have tried every trick in the book! A remote obsy is sure looking more attractive every day. :D

(wonders how he's going to get a nightcrawler/rotator past the finance minister :lol::lol::lol:) :whistle:

[The_bluester]

You have always had it, right?

I really like this new version, just a pity that lockdown means no visit to do it from here, you wouldn't even need to bring the mount given I currently have one less camera than I do telescopes, we could put it on the CEM70!

[RugbyRene]

I was trolling through the KStars planetarium and planning my next target and came across this and thought it would make an interesting target.

Very nice image.

[Retrograde]

Love the contrast and sharpness in the Nebula. Nothing wrong with some Fuji effect either. Excellent! :thumbsup:

[pfitzgerald]

Another cracker of an image Andy - I actually quite like the "fuzzy" stars in this one.

SL-17 is one of my favourite dark nebulas.

Paul

[JA]

That's an incredible image Andy. Well done - The wolf lives :thumbsup:

Best
JA

[Andy01]

Tempting thought, thanks Mate! :D



Cheers Rene, would be good to see this done again from a dark site, looks like you're up next! :thumbsup:



Thanks Pete! :D
Sometimes I wish I had a pc to run starspikes pro 4 as it does a fuji effect quite nicely, but sadly there's no mac version. :sadeyes:



Cheers Paul, always happy to indulge you by imaging one of your favourites! Glad you liked it :thumbsup:



Lol, cheers JA, an American Werewolf in Scorpio perhaps? :lol::lol::lol:

[Ryderscope]

Plenty to like there Andy. I see the fearsome dark dusty daemons lurking amongst the glowing gaseous nebula awaiting their prey. The glowing bring stars add to the aesthetic appeal :thumbsup:

[Andy01]

Thanks Rodney, this is the classic example of deep space Pareidolia for sure. :D
I'm thinking I kinda like the glowing stars. Who would have thought imaging through high cloud has benefits? :lol: