M17 Diffuse Nebula

[leon]

Hi All

I was out under clear skies last night, and could not resist the opportunity to have a go at M17, called a number of things, either Swan, Horseshoe, Lobster or Omega Nebula's.

Anyway this object was still pretty low, but it managed to still show some detail.

FSQ 106 Takahashi, on G11, 20 unguided images @40 sec's each, at 800 ISO, Master light/dark subtracted and processed in Image Plus.

I'm having fun :)

Cheers Leon :thumbsup:

[jase]

Think you may have to go a little deeper on this image Leon. Have you got your guiding set up organised? There is a lot more nebulosity surrounding M17, but it doesn't appear to be present in your image. Regardless, its a nice image, just need more data thats all. Keep them coming mate.:thumbsup:

[Ric]

Well done Leon.
Very nice

Cheers

[iceman]

Lovely stuff Leon, i'd probably also resize it to 800x600 or so before posting, so it doesn't need as much compression.

[leon]

Thanks Guys, any help and suggestions are welcome, i need as much as i can get.

Leon

[leon]

Jase, I don't have any guiding set up at all, I wouldn't know where to start and what i would need.

I have actually thought about doing it, but need help with that lot, other than that the G11 is really very good, and aligned pretty much spot on, some of the tracking errors I think might still be present, I haven't yet done a PEC training run, but hope to soon.

Leon

[jase]

You'll get there Leon. Plenty of people here that can help you out with guiding. If you've got a illuminated reticle eyepiece on hand, you should have a go at recording PEC. Any form of PEC is a good thing, at least compared to nothing. You maybe able to squeeze out some two or three minute unguided exposures with PEC depending on how good your polar alignment is and/or bad your PE is. If you get into the CCD side of imaging, then you can use something like PEMPro which does wonders. I went from +/- 5 arcsecs down to around +/- 1.3 arcsecs PE using the software on the Titan.

Seriously, you're making me very edgy with all your images. Having placed an order for the new FSQ-106ED in mid November last year, I'm suffering anxiety attacks as the shipping date draws closer (early next month). I'm presently scopeless, feeling lost, confused, bedazzled.;)

Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

[leon]

Thanks for the engouragement and kind comments Jase, when you receive your scope I'm sure you will be stoked, just to look at them makes one
smile :D

It's really fun learning how to drive the set up, and it was not as scary :scared: as it was made out to be.

Although my images are not world class, I'm quite proud of my efforts to date, and am very happy with my progress.

Cheers Leon :thumbsup:

[Ingo]

Nice pic...but how in the hell did you go 40 seconds unguided?

I can't do 15 seconds at 24mm, and you're going 40 on a telescope? :shrug:

[leon]

Ingo, yea, I know what your saying, but i spent a considerable amount of time drift aligning, and i feel I'm very close to the SCP, and of coarse the G11 helps, it is a very solid and smooth mount.

Cheers Leon :thumbsup:

[RB]

That's a good image of M71 Leon........:poke: (Just kidding mate)

Leon your getting great results, once you get guiding and PEC going you'll be beside yourself.
I'm so excited for you and very envious of your observatory setup.

Cheers

[leon]

Thanks Andrew, I feel very happy with the results to date, and having fun at the same time.

Leon

[atalas]

Your doing well Leon,keep at It and as your processing skills improve you might just do world class images.

[leon]

Louie, The processing is something i probably still have to master, but i will get there one day.

Thanks for the encouragment

Cheers Leon

[Dr Nick]

That's sharp! Well done! ;)

[leon]

Thanks Nick, but i think i might have to have another go at it when it is a little higher, got to get a bit more detail out of it.

Cheers Leon

[gbeal]

Leon.
I will echo what everyone else has said. A nice shot, and now you have attained this, lets get you deeper.
I really can't see what there is to do with guiding that you need help with though.
I can give you a list of the items you will need, and assist with the "order" in which you need to go about this, if it will help.
There is a wealth of knowledge on this forum, and it is simply a matter of gearing up, and doing it.
Gary

[leon]

Yea I know Gary, all the info is there, and heaps of people have sent me links to find out all that there is to know.

I will read all this stuff first, and then find out all i have to know and then go for it.

I will certainly keep you, and some others in mind for the decision of what to get to make the experience easier.

Thank You Leon