The Fickle Finger

[strongmanmike]

All these great images of our beloved Eta and her Keyhole are great. I can't believe the amazing clarity with which we are now able to image these beautiful objects. Efforts on the Keyhole by Paul, Peter and Gary et al as well as the effort I linked to by Eddie Trimacrchi have all been incredible really for me given I still see myself stuck in the 80's with my cold camera and B&W Kodak Tri-X:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/in_the_begining

Here in full resolution I have zoomed in on my original full frame image of Eta Carina to showcase the very interesting feature known as the "Fickle Finger" or as I call it the "Up Yours" feature (There is a link to the full frame image underneath)

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/96425889/original

When I think about it, I am flabergasted that this particular image, while perhaps not the best example out there, was achieved with just a 6" scope, a mere 1140mm FL, normal piggyback scope autoguiding and just 60min total exposure.

Amateur imaging capabilities today are simply amazing, well done boys :thumbsup:

Hope you like imaging as much as I do :)

Mike

[EzyStyles]

:lol: :lol::lol: i love that finger! well captured mike.

Here's my finger back j/k :P

http://www.ezystyles.com.au/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=431742

[strongmanmike]

It's an interesting feature that's for sure. As a previous thread showed, the Hubble shot of it is of course incredible :eyepop:

Mike

[dcalleja]

I thought yours WAS the Hubble shot. Terrific imaging & detail as always. I wonder if the "Up Yours Nebula" will make it into the popular vernacular. I certainly won't forget it.

[tornado33]

Fantastic shot there. Heres one of an image I took last night, upsampled 2x. Is yours upsampled as well Eric, as it looks about the same size as mine. Mikes FLI cams pixels must be nice and small to get such resolution from that focal length, makes film look very grainy indeed.
I remember in the past some forcasting that one day amateir sized scopes might eventually take pics resembling those from large professional observatories.
Scott

[Ric]

Great image Mike.

I always enjoy seeing the fickle finger, it always brings out a smile and a laugh.

Who says astronomy is a serious business.

Cheers

[Garyh]

Stands out nicely Mike!
I need more focal length! :)
cheers Gary