M16 area in Ha

[multiweb]

This is another shot I took the same night I did the panels on NGC3576. Just before going to bed I went to refocus and do a few subs on M8 (which I won't post for Mike's sanity ;)) and M16. I did about 1h on it.

Again same rig details - C11/Hyperstar 3/QHY8 guided with QHY5 on Finder8x50mm.

What I thought to be originally a mirror flop was in fact the rubber between the hyperstar and the secondary cell that got a bit loose with cold temperature. Something new I learnt. Re-tighten the cell prior to fit the HS when not used for a long time. :P
As a result the bottom field is not as sharp as the top but there seems to be a lot of nebulosity around M16, even darker clouds. The central part is almost unrecognisable because of all the extensions

I've uploaded the full field here (http://www.multiweb.com.au/astro/M16_HS3_ha_f.jpg). [820KB]
Thanks for looking. :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Marc is being very humble, I have no problem with him posting images of the Lagoon. I stole one of his best shots aaaaand probably the one he really didn't want to get out (sorry Marc) because it reveals once and for all the reason behind his fascination with Lagoons :thumbsup:

PS. Nice wide Eagle mate :P

[dugnsuz]

Hi Marc
See what you mean about the sharpness of top v's bottom. The trials and tribulations of our gear eh!?
Shame as the central detail is very nice - and heaps of it. I love Ha for that!!
Doug

[multiweb]

:lol::lol::lol: Love it! :thumbsup: Shame I can't remember anything... Bummer!

[multiweb]

Thanks Doug. :thumbsup: Yeah the good thing about these mistakes if that once you're aware of it you remember and that won't happen again ... (sort of) ;)

[Hagar]

Now that is one hell of a fiel Marc. Don't mind Mike field of view either.

Great image. I had to look hard for the central detail, I'm not used to seeing it like this.

[multiweb]

Thanks Doug. :thumbsup: I'm very likely to redo all this soon and extend to M17. Will also try to tone down and mask the core.... and secure the hyperstar better. :P

[Tilt]

Nice image Marc, I like it.

Michael

[multiweb]

Thanks you Michael. :thumbsup: Not too bad. It is a nice area. Definitely need to revisit and get a better field. :)

[gregbradley]

That's a good image Marc. It shows the extent of all that Ha around the Eagle. Doing it in colour is another matter. I find the Eagle a hard object and have never done one I thought was any good.

It tends to look best though in large aperture closeup type images IMHO.

Greg.

[multiweb]

Thanks Greg. I agree. RGB would be tough on a widefield. I did one 2yrs ago and all that turned up was a whole load of stars and some faint nebulosity swamped in it. I think one way to represent familiar colors to improve contrast in all those faint details (because they are very faint) would be a blend (HahHaOiiiOiii). I did one a little while ago and it turned out ok. I'm planning on extending to M17 and do a widefield on both.

[TrevorW]

Looking good Marc albeit the trials and tribulations of a dedicated astrophotographer

but a fine example of what can be seen with Ha

colour sometimes can be over rated

[multiweb]

Tanks Trev. :thumbsup: Color's cool too but more time consuming. Ha from home is point and shoot. No brainer. I like it. :)

[gregbradley]

The problem with the widefield is the Ha is so dominant and it ends up too red. That delicate bluish centre nebula can get swamped.

Closeup you get the pillars of creation and with a sharp image that is always impressive.

I did not know there was a lot of O111 in this area. That is a good formula and does work well on some objects.

Greg.

[multiweb]

The cavity around the pilars is full of Oiii so it adds a nice contrast. I don't think there is much anywhere else though.

Yeah the pilars up close is the icing on the cake. I'll do these at F/10 with the AO. My guiding is not that good. :P