Tarantula from cloudy Sydney

[CaptainCook]

A rare double header of clear 'nights' (approx 3-4 hours) saw me drag my gear out and sit in the communal driveway til 4am (I have to babysit it to protect against neighbours cars that pass within a few inches).

This image is based on 2 hours of 5 min subs for each S, H & O 6nm filter, AM5 & ASKAR103. Calibration bias, flats, dark flats. Bortle 7.

Processed in Foraax palette in PI, final edit in Gimp.

I'm still playing around with the colours and hope to get more data soon but I am pretty happy with it so far.

Reduced image below and astrobin link here (https://astrob.in/full/y66k6h/0/).

[Startrek]

Gary,
That’s a fine image of the Tarantula
Detail is exceptional and colour to me looks fine.
Looks like you had your challenges as well on this target
Well done !!
I think you mentioned about switching back to OSC due to inconsistent clear nights.
I just take a look back at my OSC images and my answer is always nah stick it out with Mono , especially under heavy light polluted skies. Mono will always be better l can vouch for that after 16 months with Mono.
I will probably only use my OSC at my dark site down south on rare occasions

Cheers
Martin

[CaptainCook]

Hi Martin,
Thanks..yes its hard work doing astro here and not just with the weather! My 2 neighbours have 4 cars and I can expect any of them driving by several times til about 2am- at which point I dare run into the house and make a cuppa!!

For OSC I meant going back to duoband- but yes you're right mono is better. I think I just have to be realistic about targets. Anything requiring 12 hours or more is a non starter. I was pleasantly surprised with this after 6 hours and to be honest its come in the nick of time as I was really getting depressed about the clouds.

Cheers
Gary

[Dave882]

Nice image Gary with good colour and detail! As if astrophotography wasn’t complicated enough, you have to grapple with the weather and pesky neighbours. Keep up the great work!

[CaptainCook]

Thanks Dave. The weather is certainly the biggest hurdle thats for sure!

[strongmanmike]

Very pleasing Gary, has a slightly different "look" cool...I like the colours too :thumbsup:

Mike

[CaptainCook]

Thanks Mike.
Cheers
Gary*
*5th Yorkshireman

[DebinOz]

That is amazing! I can’t even calibrate my tracker in my backyard.

[Bodon]

Lovely spider there, well done :thumbsup:

[CaptainCook]

Thanks Deborah & Steve.