Sarah's Nebula

[strongmanmike]

This is 9hrs of data collected over two nights last new moon period.

This is just a part of the huge FSQ mozaic that Jason posted the other day.

I have dedicated this image to my precious niece and God Daughter Sarah who passed away in March aged just 18 after a horseriding accident and is now dust just like this herself.

As Jason eluded to, I did an image of this dusty region some years ago with the ED80 and little Starlightxpress and a print of it went in the casket with Sarah when she went. I made her a promise that I would do a better version just for her (she loved astronomy but hadn't got around to coming out with me yet, we were about to do it but fate got in the way :sadeyes:)...so, I hope she and you guys like it. :)

Small size to take it all in:
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/113109010/large

Medium size:
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/113109010/original

Dramatic Negative:
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/113113073/original

Large size 4meg:
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/113109180/original

Had a tear in my eye writing the blurb under the image :sadeyes:

Here is a picture of Sarah
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/113116557/original

Mike

[jjjnettie]

What a wonderful tribute to Sarah!:)
A beautiful image.

[troypiggo]

Beautiful image and story to go with it. Very touching.

[jase]

Mike,
My condolences to you, family and friends who knew Sarah. At a young and tender age it is a great misfortune. This image is indeed a fitting tribute. Such a fascinating region of the sky in which has been portrayed in all its beauty. Pleased you refreshed your older version. Marked improvement. Well done.

[xstream]

Mike,
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful looking young girl.

[Omaroo]

Pictures say a thousand words Mike. Both are beautiful. I'm so sorry for her loss.

[Tamtarn]

Mike a beautiful tribute to your lovely niece Sarah.

The image itself has a very delicate feel to it. Thanks for sharing your story

[Hagar]

A very beautiful Nebula Mike. My thoughts go out to you and Sarah's Family. A loss of any family is difficult but one so young is always harder to bare.
This truely is a fitting tribute to one so young.

[TrevorW]

Very fitting tribute Mike

She will live on in eternity amongst the stars from whence we all came never to be forgotten.

All the best

[spacezebra]

Beautiful Nebula Mike, you are indeed a gentle-man. Our thoughts go out to you and Sarah's family.

I echo the words of those already posted "a fitting tribute'.

Cheers Petra d.

[astroron]

Mike a beautiful image dedicated to a beautiful girl,who was taken to early.
My best wishes for you and your whole family.
Thankyou for posting this tribute.

[Alchemy]

Always a sad event to see someone so young go tragically. Nice that you dedicate this to her.

respectfully

clive

[RB]

A beautiful young girl, a tragic loss !!

Wonderful tribute to her Mike.

My family's thoughts are with you and your families.
I can think of nothing more tragic than to loose a child..........

RIP Sarah.

[BerrieK]

A beautiful way to honour a lost friend. Your words bought a tear to my eye too.

Regards, Kerrie

[avandonk]

A fine tribute to Sarah's memory Mike. After all, our memories is what defines us as humans. To remember others we have all lost, somehow keeps them alive in our minds and hearts.

Bert

[bluescope]

Touching tribute Mike and a nice image to dedicate to Sarah.

Horse riding is indeed a dangerous thing ... my daughter was thrown into a fence post when she was around 15 years old and I feared for her life as she lay motionless for a long time as I ran to her aid. Luckily she is still around and has 2 children of her own whom I hope will never be put into a saddle.

Cheers mate !

:thumbsup:

[TheDecepticon]

Wow, awesome tribute! I'm very touched by your loss. It always hurts when we loose someone, but none more so than a child!!

[seeker372011]

sorry to hear of your loss Mike.

a great tribute in the form of this fine image

[strongmanmike]

Thanks all so much for your kind words, private messages and emails, it has indeed been a hard time for my family, Sarah was such a beautiful person, evidenced no better than by her complete affinity with animals and deep desire to become a vet. She is missed.

This imaging project was actually quite challenging, besides being faint the weather and seeing plus some field rotation (I don't have registar)were a bastad to deal with too, so processing was quite difficult. I am happy with it in the end, it's not perfect and it took all my processing skills just to come up with this result but I was on a mission and was determined to see it through. More RGB would have been good as so much lum is needed to bring out the faint dust. I probably should have binned the RGB too :doh:

In the end it doesn't really matter but I am glad it touched a few hearts :)

Mike

[multiweb]

As all the other said top pic Mike and a fitting tribute. Sorry to hear about your loss. All the best to the family.

[gregbradley]

A beautiful image and a touching farewell. Sorry for yours and your family's loss Mike.

Best,

Greg.

[h0ughy]

Mike what a fitting tribute - and it is something that you can image again and again building on what you have. Memories and a brilliant image will never fade

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Marc, Greg and Dave :)

Mike

[montewilson]

For most of us Astrophotography is just an exercise in collecting photons. I'm glad you found a better use for it. I'm sure she would be proud and honoured.

Regardless of the intent, you haven't lost your focus. Another one fine image for the portfolio.

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Monte :)

[EddieT]

Hi Mike,
And excellent image and object, and a very touching sentiment.

Terribly sorry to hear of this tragedy.

All the best
Eddie Trimarchi

[richardo]

Hi Mike,
I'm so sorry to here about your niece, as every one here has said.
I don't know what I'd do if I lost any of my lovely nieces.....
I'd like to think I would be as you, carry on and dedicate what I love to do, to some one I also loved with the same conviction.

A fitting image tribute here Mike.....

All my very best wishes to you and your family/s.

Rich

[marc4darkskies]

Sincere condolances to you and your family for your tragic loss Mike. She was a beautiful girl.

And what a wonderful and touching tribute! Well done!

Cheers, Marcus

[tornado33]

A beautiful image of dedication. My very best wishes for you and family.
Scott

[prokyon]

A very tragic story!
Beautiful tribute to a beautiful girl.

cheers

werner

[KenGee]

Thinking of you Mike. May the pain fade, and the joy live on.

[strongmanmike]

Thanks boys.

Sarahs father Mark Waugh (yes same as the cricketer) would like to do a set of the 4 images (small, negative, large, including Sarah) in one of those mulitiple frames. He has been looking at my image of Sarah's Nebula a lot he says... so I think it has acheived it's intention :)

Cheers

Mike

[Tom Davis]

A lovely image and tribute to Sarah.

Tom

[atalas]

A beautiful work for a beautiful girl....the young passing away is always tragic Mike...my condolences to the family.