M33 spiral galaxy with hyperstar

[gerry aarts]

M33 has a low surface brightnes but with the f1.8 hyperstar lens, the detail in the spiral arms turned out quite well. Part of the Local Group of galaxies that includes Andromeda and the Milky Way.

M33 is not an ideal Southern Hemisphere object to view or image. I captured this one at Mudgee NSW when the galaxy was around 20 degrees above the horizon. 10 x 4 minute subs for a total of 40 minutes exposure. Celestron GPS11 with Hyperstar f1.8 lens and Meade DSI III colour camera. Processed in Photoshop.

[peter_4059]

Gerry, You've captured some nice detail in the arms in that image. Is that the full frame?

Peter

[Lester]

Nice image showing many nebulous areas within the galaxy.

I am yet to find out why the Hyperstar isn't more popular. From what I have seen they perform very well for such a fast F ratio.

[AlexN]

MMMM Hyperstar... Must be exciting! I was VERY keen to convert my C11 to hyperstar before I sold it, I think its a fantastic idea and the results can be absolutely incredible..

I really like your M33, great detail! A few of the stars look like the processing has been pushed a little far, however its still a pleasing image!

Well done.

[Robh]

Hi Gerry,

So that's what it looks like!
Bugger of a thing to look at through the scope.
Nice detail.

Regards, Rob

[gerry aarts]

Hi all thanks for your comments.
Yes it is a full frame image.
Hyperstar is now also available for the Meade telescopes.

The DSI 111 has 1360 x 1024 pixel chip, fairly small compared to the Sbigs.

But with the Hyperstar lens at f1.8 almost the whole galaxy fits on the tiny chip. With my f3.3 focal reducer it would capture around half of it. I find for around $1000 Hyperstar gives me the ability to image wide field objects with my 11 inch celestron. The other benefit supposedly a 1 minute exposre at f1.8 is the equivalent of 32 minutes at f10, a big advantage.

So is my 40 minute f 1.8 image here is supposedly like a 21 hour exposure at f10? I don't know, but I do know that I can capture 10 x 1 minute exposures of the Horsehead or Orion nebula and get a great result that I would not get at f3.3 or f6.3 at 10 minutes.

[jase]

Hat goes off to you for giving this target a go Gerry. Its a tough one to get details given the low altitude. The first thing that hit me was the FOV - the target suits it nicely. Thanks for sharing. Well done.

[Screwdriverone]

Nice one Gerry!

Thats HUUUUUUUUGE! Lots of details and colours look great.

Fantastic!

Cheers

Chris

[Ric]

Well done Gerry, a lovely capture.

You have brought out some excellent detail in the spiral arms.

Cheers