LMC and 2070 with Atik 11002M and FSQ106ED

[Hagar]

Last night was another ripper night. I decided to image LMC in all it's glory. Being very tired from a couple of almost all night sessions I gave it away at about 2 am when I had to do a meridian flip.
I managed 5 X 5 minute exposures of each LRGB and 2 X Ha and 10 X 5 min darks all captured at -20 degrees C.

When I started imaging I couldn't get the temp down so I connected up the water works and it fell down to -20 and sat there nicely.

I blended the Ha into the R channel and the Lum Channel then returned it all to CCDStack to combine all my final masters. (I love this program)

Details:
Camera: Atik 11002M Mono
Filters: Baader LRGB and Ha
Telescope: Takahashi FSQ 106ED at F5
Exposures: 10 X 5 min Darks, 5 X Flats for each filter, 5X 5minute each LRGB and 2 X 5 min Ha.

Comments welcomed.

Hi Res version at http://www.darkskyau.com/cm/displayimage.php?pid=292&fullsize=1 2.5 MB

[multiweb]

That's a top shot. I didn't realise the FSQ field was that big at F/5 even without a reducer. Nice. :thumbsup:

[DavidU]

That's a ripper Doug ! Nice wide view, great nebs. It must be nice to have such dark sky's.:thumbsup:

[desler]

Spectacular Doug, The field of view just blows me away!

Darren

[zipdrive]

I love this FOV:thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

That's excellent Doug

Nicely processed,

A minor thing is there a slight defocusing moving from right to left..?

How much does that look like Barnards Galaxy (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/125870582/original) but just closer?

Mike

[Hagar]

Thanks Marc, yes it's a big field even bigger if I use the f3.4 with the reducer fitted.



Thanks David, I am lucky wwith the dark skies although I do suffer from a lot of thermal aberations and Alpine wind overhead while it is quite still down here in the valley.



Thanks Darren



Thanks

[Hagar]

Thanks Mike I had noticed the focus shift when the mask is in place but can't put my finger on the culprit. Everything is bolted together. The camera seems fine. Collimation is a tad out so maybe, well who knows.
Some thing to work on.

[mill]

Excellent picture Doug :thumbsup:
Where did you get the good weather from ?
Here it is clouded most of the time :(

[allan gould]

Nice one Doug - have to love that Tak

[Stevec35]

Nicely done Doug. I would be tempted to try shadow - highlights on the Tarantula so it's not so burnt out. Other than that it looks great.

Cheers

Steve

[Hagar]

Thanks Marty, The weather has been very good for the last week or two but we now suffer from thermal turbulance from the surrounding hills. I guess I should be happy anyway.



Thanks Allan, yes the Tak is a fabulous scope, a real keeper.



Thanks Steve, I will give that a try. I did use them originally but could maybe use a bit more or some selective work.