Small Magellanic Cloud (5 hours worth)

[dugnsuz]

Hello all...
Spent all last week collecting SMC data totaling just over 5 hours worth.
Exposures ranged from 300 - 600secs, all 200mm @ f5.6, iso1600.
ICNR on, Flats done too this time!

Canon 40D (modded)
Canon 70-200mm f4L lens, 200mm @ f5.6 (+ IDAS LPS filter)
Skywatcher Synscan EQ5 mount
Autoguided with PHD

Stacked in Images Plus, processed in PS.

All comments appreciated...personally I like the way the HA regions are helped into view by the 600sec exps, but overall I feel the image is a bit "gritty" looking! I was hoping for a much smoother look given the amount of exposure time.:shrug:

Link to the higher res version...
http://s327.photobucket.com/albums/k461/doug-robertson/?action=view&current=16b.jpg

Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[Tandum]

Spectacular Doug ... Memories of Barambah for me ...

[h0ughy]

you must be very happy with the result though i am not sure of how much more you would get?

[Tilt]

Warmer weather causing higher noise possibly, DSLR starting to lose out to cooled CCD's as the temp climbs.

I know that last weekend when David and I were capturing data from NGC2070, the noise was quite high compared to the last time we had a go at imaging (which was in winter).

Still a great image mate, I always like what you do with the 70-200 L glass.

Michael

[multiweb]

Very nice colors and details. Nice pic. :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Thanks All

Yeah houghy - think the law of diminishing returns must kick in somewhere.

[Craig_L]

Nice one Doug. Those flats seem to be working well.

[Jen]

Nice pic Doug :thumbsup:

[Kevnool]

Nice Image Doug .....is that NGC 603 half right on the left side of the image,The poor bugger nearly made it all the way in......cheers Kev.

[dugnsuz]

Absolutely Kev!
It was so burned out after the processing I cut it off to save my embarasment!!!;)

[leon]

Nice one Doug, 5 hours worth hey, :eyepop: bet you are pleased with that, very impressive mate. :thumbsup:

Now there is still on thing that puzzles me, however I'm sure that it has been explained to me before, but forgive me I'm getting old. :P

I always thought that all exposures processed in Image Plus had to be of the same length, :shrug: but obviously, with the beauty you have produced that is not the case.

Please explain..???????? :whistle:

Leon :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Cheers leon,
I think they all have to be the same image size - at least that's the only time I've run into problems with IP.
:thumbsup:

[leon]

Well I'll be buggered, :rolleyes: is that so, just learn't something. :lol:

Leon :thumbsup:

[Glenhuon]

Nice image Doug:thumbsup:
Reminds me of a book I read many years ago "And the stars like dust" :)

[Lester]

top class image Doug. To capture the red nebulosity within the SMC isn't easy and you have got it showing up very well.

[dugnsuz]

Thanks Lester - those 600sec exps really helped

[strongmanmike]

Nice job Doug, lots of interesting bits to see, the grit you refer to looks like stallar resolution to me..

I like the way your lens performs..I think I may have asked already?...err?...can I have it? :D

Mike

[dugnsuz]

Cheers Mike
It's a nice wee lens - you're right!:)
And, no you can't have it! You would render me lens-less!!!:P
:thumbsup:

[Octane]

Doug,

Love the H-alpha portions. Well done!

Regards,
Humayun

[winensky]

Fantastic, The nebulosities stand out beautifully and I agree with Mike, it is a very fine and dense star field. Great work!

[Whizgig]

absolutely Beautiful!! :)

[dugnsuz]

Cheers Matt - it's growing on me now! I seem to become less critical after a period of time has passed. :rolleyes:



Thanks a lot Eugene - welcome to IIS, haven't seen your name in this section before. Are you a mad imager too!!??:P

[2020BC]

Very nice indeed, Doug.:thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Very nice Doug.

Greg.

[dugnsuz]

Thanks Bill and Greg:)

[RB]

What a beauty Doug !

Onya mate.

:thumbsup:

[Alchemy]

as others have said the Ha sections stand out well, id be suprised if it was too gritty with 5 hrs exposure.... try using a median combine it might make a difference ( might not either)

[dugnsuz]

Cheers Clive - I've kind of exorcised the SMC by trashing the subs!!!
So an alternative stack isn't possible!
Maybe next time!!
All the best
Doug:thumbsup:

ps...woo-hoo 2000th post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sjastro]

Very fine image Doug.

There are some interesting HII regions that might be worth imaging with a largish FL scope.

Steven

[dugnsuz]

Not with my rig Steven!
I'll leave that to gentlemen such as your good self!
Thanks for the comment.
Doug:thumbsup:

[atalas]

Hi Doug

Wonderful shot ! beautiful field.

[dugnsuz]

Thankyou Louie.
That's a very impressive webpage you've got there too:)
Cheers
Doug:thumbsup: