IC 2944 Headless Chicken

[Startrek]

Some reasonably clear nights with intermittent high cloud early this week on the South Coast allowed some imaging time
Captured IC 2944 Running Chicken Nebula ( less head and feet ) under a Full Moon

NexDome Obs
8” f5 GSO newt
EQ6-R mount
ZWOASI2600MC Gain 0 cooled to -10C
Optolong L Extreme filter
42 x 3 minute dithered guided subs
40 x Flats
50 x Bias
Tracking and Goto EQMOD and Ascom Stellarium
Framed focused and captured with APT
PHD2 Multistar guiding ( 0.50 to 0.60 arc sec error total rms )
Stacked in DSS
Processed in Startools V1.7

Synthetic Luminance version
Some Bi colour versions using Compose and the Colour module Matrix (SHO)

Comments welcome

Thanks

[Stephane]

Martin, some really nice images here. I particularly like how the top-right bright star has come out so beautifully. I am just beginning to appreciate how challenging that side of processing is. Nice job!

[multiweb]

Great capture and nice process. Heaps of fine details. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[JA]

Well done Martin on a wonderful image :thumbsup:
Number 1 with the orange hues against the blue star/s is my favourite version.

Best
JA

[Kuz]

Lovely capture Martin. I am with JA the golden yellow with the blue looks really good

[Startrek]

Thanks Stephane

[Startrek]

Thanks Marc
It was nice just to get some clear sky time
Martin

[Startrek]

Thanks JA
Yes the first one does pop a bit more
Martin

[Startrek]

Thanks Kuz
The Compose module in Startools together with the colour Matrix allows you to create some interesting blends with OSC narrowband data , they may not be scientifically correct but pleasing to the eye
Cheers
Martin

[RyanJones]

I think I like number 4 better. I think the boks have better contrast and the cloud “ wall “ on the right stands out better. Horses for corses though.

[PaulSthcoast]

Martin,

Nice to see someone getting some clear sky..albeit briefly.

Great detail in the image...lovely.

Ryan.....BOKS ...in the chicken....FUNNY !!

Paul.

[xelasnave]

That is a wonderful image Martin I only hope I can do as well at some stage.
Alex

[Startrek]

Thanks Ryan
Yes I agree the Bok globules do appear more defined against the nebulosity in no.4
I tried to back off the dark Wavelet sharpening so they didn’t appear to dark. When you zoom in close they do actually have small bright regions although my 8” rig can’t resolve them that well.When I get my 10” in June / July the additional light grab and resolution should resolve them and provide more detail with good data
Born in the Netherlands, Bartholomeus Jan Bok discovered Bok Globules in the 1940’s and did spend some time in Australia in the late 50’s early 60’s working with the Australian government with Astronomical research then moved to the US to continue his work. A very dedicated talented Astronomer.
Cheers
Martin

[Startrek]

Thanks Paul
Much appreciated

[Startrek]

Thanks Alex
Pretty happy with the results for just over 2 hours of data
You just need some clear sky time with your incredible rig , dial everything in and start imaging
I’m sure your images will blow mine out of the water with that 2600MM
My 2600MC is a great camera but I have this anchor called a Bayer matrix so I need 4 times the data as a mono to get somewhere close.
Mono is on my radar for late this year early next year
I’m going to busy getting my new rig sorted in June / July
Thanks again
Martin