M8 Lagoon Nebula with repaired 2600MC

[Startrek]

Thursday night in Sydney was nice and clear so took the opportunity to image the M8 Lagoon Nebula, a big bright easy target with my 2600MC after it had been warranty repaired by Bintel due to silicon grease smeared over the sensor.

Sydney Bortle 8 skies
30% waxing Moon
Seeing average and deteriorated later into the evening
6” f6 Bintel GSO newt
EQ6-R mount
ZWOASI2600MC set in Ascom to Highest Dynamic Range ( Gain 0 ) cooled to -10C
42 x 3 minute dithered guided subs
Optolong L Extreme filter
Goto and Nav EQMOD and Ascom Stellarium
Framed focused and captured in APT
PHD2 Multistar guiding ( started around 0.90 to 1.00 arc sec and then as heavy dew set in later on, guiding error increased to 1.30 to 1.40 arc sec ) guide stars FWHM jumping around quite a bit ) Discarded about 8 subs
Stacked in DSS sigma clipping
Processed in Startools V1.7 linear data set ( Bi colour preset )

Original frame version
Crop versions to show close detail and demonstrate the capabilities of the ZWO ASI2600MC at a focal length of 900mm and the L Extreme filter

Comments welcome
Thanks

[xa-coupe]

Excellent detail.

[Alchemy]

Currently doing exactly the same target, but only Ha, recently bought one of these filters you’ve used but unsure of using it with the moon out…. You had any “moonage” issues ?, it would be nice to have the confidence in it for moonlit nights.

[Ryderscope]

The framing grabs the lagoon quite well Martin. I think the colour works well and plenty of detail in the nebula. The dusty halo surrounding the nebula adds a lot of character too.

[gregbradley]

Good to hear the repairs went well.

A lovely Lagoon. Very detailed for a 6 inch scope.

Only suggestion would be a bit more yellow and magenta in the reds to enhance the colour.

Greg.

[Startrek]

Jeff,
Thanks very much
Main objective was to fully test the camera , which passed with flying colours
Martin

[Startrek]

Clive,
I’ve used the L Extreme under a full moon with my Bortle 8 skies in Sydney and it performs so much better than my previous ZWO Duoband. My 2600MC is a super camera too, makes all the difference, you just have to get a feel for the sweet spot in regard to sub exposure lengths using these filters but so far 3 minute subs have worked well on the brighter nebula. I’ve had good results with 2 minute subs too
Every set up, image train and camera is different but in regard to imaging under the moon lit nights , the L Extreme is a winner
Cheers
Martin

[Startrek]

Rodney,
Thanks for your kind comment
Martin

[Startrek]

Greg,
Thanks too
Yeh colour could have been tweaked a bit but a satisfying result just the same , I was more concerned about the cameras performance after being serviced , the sensor had all silicon grease and gunk all over it
You know I bought that 6” newt 5 years ago for $299 and it still amazes me what it can do, I think it does a better job that the f5 version, the extra 150mm of focal length really helps
It was advertised as a visual scope at Bintel and maybe for some lunar imaging only etc.... Ive imaged everything with it , not bad for a low end budget GSO Taiwanese OTA
Cheers
Martin

[Alchemy]

Thanks for the reply, using Ha I’m doing 5 min subs, you’re f6 I’m f7 so slightly longer for me. Clear night tonight, so will give the filter its first run 👍

[multiweb]

Nice M8. Good details. :thumbsup:

[Startrek]

Thanks Marc
Glad to get the camera up and running again
Martin

[Retrograde]

Great to see the camera is now in good working order.
You've picked up some nice detail there despite the Bortle 8 skies (and goes to show you don't need mega expensive optics to do astrophotography).

[Startrek]

Pete,
Thanks
I agree you don’t need to spend a zillion dollars on a scope ( especially a newt ) to capture reasonable images
Cheers
Martin

[Ant0nio]

Very nice M8 Martin,
I recently acquired an L-Extreme filter also, it does a great job of bring out the Ha & Oiii but I'm getting unpleasant halos with the ASI094.
Looks like the the High Dynamic Range setting could be the answer to this. Your imaging is going from strength to strength mate :thumbsup:.
Cheers,
Tony

[CoolhandJo]

The colors are nice and natural! Any reason why you didn't go with unity gain? Great work

[Startrek]

Tony,
Thanks for your comments
I’m down at my observatory now , hoping for some clear nights over the next 2 weeks ( new moon ) , fingers crossed
I use my newt and don’t have any issues with large halos using the L Extreme filter on the 2600MC
Refractors seem to suffer a bit from halos using NB filters
Cheers
Martin

[Startrek]

Paul
Thanks
The 2600MC doesn’t have unity gain
I choose highest dynamic range to take advantage of the full well of 50k e-
Some folk choose Lowest Read Noise at gain 100 but I’m getting god results from Gain 0 or HDR
Performance charts for the 2600MC attached
Cheers
Martin

[matlud]

Looks great Martin, nice detail and I also like the halo. Glad the repairs were successful 👍