47 Tucana - old DSLR data

[RobF]

I've neglected some late 2009 data collected with the DSLR (450D) ever since the QHY9 came on the scene. I've learned a bit more on the processing front in the last 6 months as well as starting to figure out PixInsight some more. Anyway, here is 47 Tuc from Oct 09:

7 x 3mins ISO 400
8 inch Newt, IDAS LPS, MPCC
Taken from the backyard Bris

Does anyone know what the faint fuzzball in the top left corner is? :question:

[davewaldo]

Hi Rob, I've been loving you're images of late, your QHY9 stuff is amazing!

I think that little fuzzy is NGC 121 - an open cluster. I could be wrong but it seems to be in the right place.

Keep up the good work. :)

[jjjnettie]

It's a tad burned out in the core, but otherwise it's just lovely. :)

[RobF]

Thanks Dave :)
Its a lot more fiddly to process (and collect really), but I've enjoyed learning that process, and really satisying when it comes off. I'm hoping to pillage lots more photons this year if weather improves. Good to hear from you. Hope that SCT gets out sometimes.

Thanks re cluster too - have never noticed before, but as is common can see it in other images now I know its there....

[RobF]

Yes - I probably got too carried away pulling up fainter stars and making that blend natural and neglected the centre.

Didn't post as a masterpiece, but just an example how satisfying the SLR can be to work with too - particularly for people starting out that want to see what's possible. Thanks for having a look and say Jeanette :D

[mental4astro]

The quote of NGC 121, and the image of it, made me do a little search for it: looks like it is actually a small globular cluster that orbits the SMC. I found an article on it, which is best left to your own reading as I'm still trying to get my head around. Facinating extra galactic GC! The article has an image to it taken by the Hubble scope.

http://iopscience.iop.org/0004-637X/508/2/570/fulltext

I found a colour pic of 121 of Hubble's too:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NGC_121_Hubble_WikiSky.jpg

Great picture Rob. Might have a go at spotting this little GC, 121. Rather small, but what the heck! Only another GC to add to the Obs. Challenge!

[davewaldo]

Hi Rob, yep I get the SCT out occasionally. I had it out for the first time in over a year a month or so ago to have a quick look at Mars and the usual suspects. I wish I had more time..... (don't we all).

And thanks for posting this image. Like you say, it shows new-comers what's possible with relatively inexpensive gear. :thumbsup:

[RobF]

Cool - thanks for sussing this one out Alexander!
Really enjoyed the education - didn't occur to me it could be another extremely distant GC.