Angel Nebula (NGC 2170)

[CaptainCook]

Just got back from a 3 night trip to the Warrumbungles. First time I'd been up there. Each day a clear morning was followed by afternoon clouds and storms (possibly same all over NSW? anyone remember the ABC saying a few years ago there would never be any clouds over the country due to global warming). It was never clear until early hours, which meant for a difficult & tiring setting up each night in the dark.

First night, there was an hour delay as a carefully packed camera cable had been left on the kitchen floor in Sydney :shrug: The first two nights were not great; guiding star SNR varied a lot, visibly there didn't look the greatest contrast with an intermittent halo around bright stars in the data. I did manage to accidentally capture the NYD aurora on my other camera, which I wasn't aware of until the following day. A comparison between 1st & 2nd Jan can be seen here (https://files.cdn-files-a.com/uploads/5360032/2000_677a193e46740.jpg).

By the second night I'd decided to stick to one target (Angel Nebula NGC 2170)..I managed another 2 hours but again not the best data.

Final night it was much better- looked like a proper dark sky, I could see the coalsack clearly- and I managed 3 hours of data, reluctantly stopping at 2.30am as I had the long drive back.

I stacked the best 5 hours of data (threw out night one) and the astrobin link is
here (https://astrob.in/52xxnk/0/).


Cheers
Gary

[TrevorW]

I was up to trying this one too, the clarity of the seeing has effected the image considerably IMO- but nice effort considering :)

[Ryderscope]

Hi Gary, you've certainly captured the different colours in the reflection nebula of this object. Was worth all the hassle from the nights activity to produce the final image.

[CaptainCook]

Hi Trevor,
There was no problem with the seeing on any night; the transparency in the data I used was OK too- I played the data back and rejected subs where I could see the stars halo and excluded over 2 hours worth on that basis (all of the first night for example). I'll have another look at processing though as its very difficult target and this was just a quick go. Most examples I've seen seem to overcook the colour but I dont have enough SNR for that and tbh I think it spoils it.
Cheers
Gary

[CaptainCook]

Thanks for your comment Rodney.

[CaptainCook]

Had another go at this...

https://astrob.in/52xxnk/D/

[TrevorW]

Yep second process on the mark :)

[CaptainCook]

Thanks Trevor, glad it has finally passed!:thumbsup:

[CoolhandJo]

your second rendition very nice. Imagine if you ahd cealr skies all night every night! I love it up there to image.

[CaptainCook]

Thanks Paul.
Yes, I took the Sydney weather with me unfortunately.

[Dave882]

I love the subtle colour variations that can only be captured from a dark sky. Nicely processed too!

[CaptainCook]

Thanks Dave.

[alan meehan]

Nice shot Gary, well worth the trip

[CaptainCook]

Many thanks Alan.
Happy Australia Day!

[gregbradley]

Wonderful image Gary despite the difficulties.

Greg

[Startrek]

Gary,
Lovely image
Nice write up too , I like a post with some detail and background
Well done !!
Martin

[CaptainCook]

Many thanks Greg & Martin. Hopefully I get to go up there again sooner rather than to later.