Dark Doodad Widefield

[Ryderscope]

Data for this classic and strangely named object were collected in March/April and I've only just had a chance to finish the processing. As part of my research into this object, I now know about the Aage Sandqvist catalogue which lists a number of southern dark molecular clouds. Should be a good list to check out and see if there are other gems lurking therein. The Dark Doodad is number 149 in this particular list of objects. I found this one particularly challenging to process and had several attempts before landing in place that I was ok with.

Link to Astrobin post here. (https://astrob.in/uwc99z/0/)
Click on image for a high resolution copy.

Clear skies,
Rodney

[gaseous]

Cracking image Rodney! Very subtle, yet somehow striking.

[strongmanmike]

Yeah cracking is a good word, perfectly natural capture, restrained and realistic, love the steadily increasing star density, from right to left, makes the viewer wonder what might be further off to the left, without detracting from the composition, really great work Rod :thumbsup:

Mike

[Ryderscope]

Thank you. In processing these images we are quite often in a quandary as to how far to push the processing steps to make the image stand out whilst retaining a sense of realism. The result can sometimes come from many hours of staring blankly at the screen :)

[Dave882]

Very nicely done. Full of sparkle and beauty. Great stuff!

[Retrograde]

Another great wide-field Ridney!

I imaged this along with part of the Chamaeleon molecular cloud a few months ago & I know what you mean about the processing.

[astronobob]

Real nice, very 3D with the darker of the doodad appearing closer or in the foreground although could be just the density of the dust totally blocking any stars.
Striking colours and a grouse golden spattering amongst the stellar population..

[Ryderscope]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I like your wide field image Pete and in fact I’ve also collected data on the Chameleon Cloud Complex which I’m processing currently. The whole area is quite fascinating.

[Paul Haese]

That's a lovely wide field image of the doodad. I like the colour.

[Ryderscope]

Thanks for the feedback Paul.

CS,
Rodney