NGC 5139 a test of resolution

[Hagar]

Last night started out looking like it was going to be a great night. I thought I might take an image of NGC 5139, NGC 5128and fill in the gap between which isn't very much with this chip and the FSQ.
By the time I got aligned and started imaging the clouds had come roaring in and all I managed was 1 X 2 minute exposures of each LRGB of 5139.
I compiled this image and was quite amazed at how well it was resolved for just 8 minutes in total and for such a small target.

Telescope: FSQ106ED at f5
Camera: Atik 11002M
Baader LRGB Filters


I have added 4 images.
1. NGC 5139 combined image (Moon Gradients and all.
2. Starry night image of this area.
3. Starry night overlayed on my image.
4. A huge crop of 5139.

I am amazed at what this camera can do even with such short exposures and lots of cloud drifting through. The Lum channel was almost unusable due to cloud.

Comments welcomed.

[multiweb]

Real nice field. Lovely resolution and colors. :thumbsup:

[Dennis]

When the conditions are that bad Doug and with such little data to work with, I suspect your image processing skills were the main factor in rescuing the data to produce the pleasing wide field and the very nice close up.

Nice work!

Cheers

Dennis

[Hagar]

Thanks Marc.



Thanks Dennis

Although my processing has improved considerably you still need good data to work with to bring out any sort of detail. I am really trying to show how well this camera work from a point of view of resolution. With such little data I was able to resolve a couple of very small galaxies. I was surprised.

[richardo]

Hi Doug,
pretty amazing for 8mins....
I liked your cropped version.
Reminds me of the view when peering down an eye piece as I can vaguely remember.

What's going on with your full version, looks like you have some vignetting issues?

Rich

[Bassnut]

Yawn, get on with it Doug, enough with "testing"

[Hagar]

Can't do much else Fred when I only get 8 minutes of sky a night. Then of course I have to test it all again on the little RC8. Sorry but I am excited I had not expected quite so big a jump in resolution.

[Hagar]

Thanks Rich but I think it is just a gradient / reflection issue with a good bit of moon bouncing off the clouds. This combo doesn't seem to suffer vignetting although I used no calibration files with this image.

[TrevorW]

Great combo Doug, good result considering

[Hagar]

Thanks Trevor, If this weather ever turns I might be able to capture something decent but with a months caravan holiday coming in August it may be dificult.