Omega Centauri

[Benny L]

Hi All,

Been a while since I posted an image for review here, after months of being plagued with hot temperatures, crap seeing and as of last week even worse weather, here in Perth, I finally managed some scope time last night to collimate my LX200R using the CCD rather than just eye-balling it.

I never would have thought that a lowly Meade LX200R would yield such a nice image on a big chip camera like the STL.

Anyhoo :P here is my first image in months, Omega Centauri. Taken under near full-moon conditions :eyepop:

Data is a LRGB composite, each channel comprising of three 5 minute exposures at f10 and -15c on the STL. Naturally some creative license was employed in MaximDL and Photoshop CS4. :P

Far from some of the masterpieces floating around, but a nice addition to the collection :D

As always, comments and constructive criticism are most welcome :)

Thanks for viewing!

Ben

[Ric]

A lovely looking image Ben, I think you've done a great job with it.

Was that taken with the 14" ?

Cheers

[Benny L]

Hi Ric,

Yep it was taken through the 14in at f10 :)

[Jen]

:thumbsup::thumbsup: nice Benny im going to have a go at this tonight the skies are looking good except for that big glowing thing in the sky tonight :screwy:

[Higbyrichard]

Top shot Ben. :thumbsup:

Candidly, I cannot see enough of this magnicent cluster. It's just equisite.

It's also enabled me to see the difference between a 14 inch scope and the large chip camera and that of my own 5 inch Triplet APO refractor and small chip ST2000 camera setup. Your stars have better resoloution and much deeper colour. Food for thought!

Just a lovely image mate.

Regards

Richard.

[TrevorW]

Nice one Ben maybe IMO this tight framing doesn't quite do it justice but great shot nevertheless

[telecasterguru]

Ben,

Great image and well resolved to the core.

Frank

[astroron]

Nice work Ben, stars nice and crisp, Core not burnt out:) but a little bit more of the surrounding area would have been nice, but still a very nice image :thumbsup:

[Benny L]

cheers for the awesome comments guys! :D I chose this object knowing that it would be abit snug in the FOV however it is an ideal target to test ones collimation :lol:

Maybe once I get my t-point model out of the way i'll do a mosaic of the area. Would make a good challenge at 3500mm F/L :O

[scopemankit]

Wow!!