NGC2359 Thor's Helmet

[pmrid]

This one has been evading me. It is so subtle and faint that I was beginning to doubt that I could get it in just an 8" Newt. But I gave it another run last night with the QHY8 and a MPCC at prime focus; OAG with QHY5 and PHD. 4 Hours worth in 10 minute subs. My processing sucks and I think I need to revisit my flats but for what it's worth, as a 'work-in-progress' here is my attempt.
Peter

[batema]

For a work in progress thats a great start. I have a 110mm refractor so I might struggle with this object but will give it a go. Well done.

Mark

[multiweb]

Thats looks real good. :thumbsup: You're right in saying that's not an easy one. I think this DSO needs a longer FL to image with.

[pmrid]

Thanks -- and yes, you're right. Longer Fl would be great. I'd use my 8" GSO RC if I could but despite many postings and promises nothing has come from GSO or their eartly representative in Oz. So I'm kinda stuck with newtonian optics and FL. Expletives deleted!

Peter

[allan gould]

Faint and difficult, but thats a great start. Some don't appreciate the real effort necessary to get a half way decent shot of some of these objects. Is that the dreaded faint ice build up in the QHY8 after 4 hr imaging on some of the bright stars?

[telecasterguru]

Peter,

You have done very well for such a delicate and elusive object.

Can't wait to see the final product.

Frank

[jase]

Good work. Places an interesting perspective on this difficult target. Not many wide field renditions exist. Long exposures would bring out the full beauty as the expanse of nebulosity is much larger than most believe. Thanks for sharing

[pmrid]

I hadn't considered that. Still learning the ropes with the QHY8. Thanks for alerting me to this problem.
cheers
Peter

[Paul Haese]

Peter, nice image and quite and interesting perspective. The back ground looks very black; maybe you could lift it a bit. Just my opinion that is all.

You could use the RC, I am persisting with mine. Not having all the extensions that are supposed to be included does make for frustrating imaging. I had it all sorted when using the 40D but now with the QSI I am having to sort out issues again. Is it because of the flattener that you are not using it? Or is it the baffle related issue? Or both. Jim Sheng has advised me that the reducer/flattener will be completed this month and be made available for sale in November. I hope he is correct. I would like a dedicated reducer for it, but would prefer an flattener instead.

[pmrid]

Hi Paul and thanks to you and Jase also.

The RC issue goes back to a disastrous flocking of the baffle tube in the course of which the primary became dislodged. The little grub screws that hold the mirror retaining ring in place don't actually screw into anything. All they do is slip between the threads and jam it. It's a hell of a system. Anyway the retaining ring came out with the baffle and there was nothing holding it in place. In the course of putting it away out of dust and harm's way, it started to fall out - I rescued it but only after getting a horny thumbprint on it and having to then wash the whole mirror. Of course it couldn't go back into the right alignment because although there is a checkmark on the edge of the mottor, there is no corresponding mark in the frame so heaven only knows which way it shoudl go. In the result, the alignment of the mirror went out to high heaven and I haven't ever been able to bring it back into anything like the former optical alignment (which I hastenb to say was terrific). SO now, it's a fancy tankard with a shiy bottom and will remain so until I have learnt the arts of collimating the thing. Offers of help with GSO were made but I've heard nothing and am more or less reconciled to having made an expensive mistake.
Such is life. If I knew the Latin for that, I'd make it my IIS signature. The only other person I can remember who used the expression was Breaker Morant and well, we know how he ended up.

Peter

[Paul Haese]

Send it back to the retailers and get them to have it recollimated and sorted out. It might cost to send it and maybe to have it collimated again. Worth doing I reckon.

[AlexN]

Peter... We'll have it up and running after this weekend.. I'm sure of it... If I have to spend all night cursing it and throwing rocks at your cows to vent frustration, the RC will sing its song again.. Don't you worry about that! :)

[AlexN]

Oh how rude of me.. I love the image too.. I've not seen this target done at below 2000mm before, You've done a great job on it...

I've got thoughts as to the the apparent "dreaded ice buildup" problems, We'll go over them saturday night.. Suffice to say its a problem that IF it occurs, its easily rectified..

Alex.

[Hagar]

Nice image Peter, You have captured the detail in the helmut quite well.

[spearo]

well done
a real challenge of a target that!
good on ya
frank