Sculptor Dwarf with 300mm flourite lens

[tornado33]

Hi all
Finally got to do some imaging, this time I went for a very faint object, the Sculptor Dwarf galaxy, which is almost just an oversized globular. I was amazed to see some resolving of its brighter stars, making it look like a large but faint globular. Also amazed to be able to capture it at all from the light polluted skies of Newcastle.
12x5 mins ISO400. LPS filter, Modded 350D, 300mm f2.8 lens from Bert.

This could be a target for one of Strongmanmike's all night/multinight imaging sessions :)
Scott

[Tilt]

Nice capture, excellent lens you have there.

Michael

[erick]

Scott, would you be kind to we ignorant types and draw a boundary around the extent of the dwarf galaxy, please. I'm just sort of guessing from your images - is it compact and well centred, or more diffuse across the frame?

[strongmanmike]

Unless you have pretty bad eyesight Erick, not being able to see the galaxy in this image on your screen indicates that you are either looking at your screen in a very bright room or your screen settings are very dark. The extent of the galaxy is very clear and obvious on my monitor..?

Have you adjusted your screens dynamic range display lately, try using the shades of grey card at my web site to see if you have a problem:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/55347254/original

Great job Scott often thought of shooting this one so I am glad you have done it, very interesting.

Mike

[Garyh]

Boy that is faint isn`t it...
Good capture!

[erick]

Indeed it's not brilliant! However I can distinguish the various shades of grey that you guys helpfully provide. It's just my lack of experience at picking such objects from an image.

With sincere apologies, Scott, I've grey-scaled and fiddled brightness/contrast to allow me to mark out the rough extent of the dwarf as I see it - see attached. Have I got it about right?

But I can see an extension running off from this marked out area towards the 2:30 direction, about as far as the dwarf is wide - is that just my brain playing tricks? :help:

Thanks
Eric

[astroron]

Eric, you are correct:) I have a negative from the 41" schmidt at Sidings Springs Mountain and it plainly showes the distorted shape:thumbsup:
Ron

[tornado33]

Thanks all
It is pushing my gear to the limit, from dark skies it would be much easier. Im tempted to try for it with the 10 inch next time. I should be able to easily resolve it, but seeing as it is too faint to show up in subexposures, Id need to get the pointing accuracy spot on. Things like CG4 are bright in comparison.
Scott

[Kevnool]

That is a fantastic capture i love the way i need to look at the 1st image, Its like a night out observing with a bit of averted vision and screen wobble i,m really impressed.
Beautiful DSO congrats...cheers Kev.

[winensky]

I can see it pretty well in the first post but I am amazed at how well you framed it. You either have some serious star charts or a very sweet go to. Nice one.;)

[tornado33]

Thanks all
I centred it by using the Argo Navis, first aligning off a star only a few degrees away, then moving to the object (which is listed in the Argo Navis's database). I was surprised it was, I was 1/2 assuming to have to import it as a User Object from Star Atlas pro, so kudos to the Argo navis there :)
Scott