The Dark Tower now with the Ha image linked

[gregbradley]

I have imaged this one before but I wasn't that happy with it.

I reimaged last weekend under good seeing conditions.

This one is HaRGB. 105 minutes of Ha and 60 minutes for each of RGB.

TEC180 fluorite, FLI ML8300 camera at -45C, Tak NJP mount, MMOAG and ST402 for guiding.

http://upload.pbase.com/image/134637762 large

http://upload.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/134637762/ regular

Greg.

[renormalised]

Nice work there, Greg:)

[Alchemy]

Well done with the amount of Ha you've brought up, stunning result.:thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Thanks Clive. I am happy with how it turned out.



Thanks. I actually have a couple of hours more Ha. Unfortunately I intended to bin it 2x2 but left the software set to focus mode of 4x4.
I also have a 3x3. So I found that out after it had alreay done about an hour or so. I reset it and found the 2x2 images were deep and clean enough by themselves. I could add the 3x3 and 4x4 but it might lower resolution.

Greg.

[Bassnut]

Excellent work Greg. Big stars are messy, but data is good for not a lot of exposure time.

[spearo]

looks great!
frank

[gregbradley]

Yes the big stars don't turn out well with the KAF8300 chip. The wells are too small at 25,500. One of its weak points. So I could lower
exposure times to 5 minutes I suppose.




Thanks Frank.

[allan gould]

Spectacular image Greg. Really love the blend of Ha and it makes the image.

[h0ughy]

it is a dark structure indeed. you have been churning out the photons Greg

[Paul Haese]

A subject we don't get to see often. I like the reds and subtle hues, but there is some blue stuff that looks odd around the brighter blue stars. Still a lovely image though.

[ChrisM]

Greg, a great result, and your shot shows more detail than
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080508.html although the latter is slightly more expansive.

Chris M

[renormalised]

That's Carl.....Greg :):P

Not Clive :)

[multiweb]

Good stuff Greg. :thumbsup: I'm trying to do some Ha in the same area tonight. It's fairly dry so I'll keep shooting. :)

[gregbradley]

Thanks Allan. Its a lot better than my original attempt about 2 years ago.



Yes I've had a good run lately. The weather seems to be gradually drying up making winter imaging look quite promising at the moment.



Yes I saw that too. Perhaps a result of needing more exposure.



Thanks Chris. Seeing that APOD did inspire me to put it on the imaging list a bit higher up. I was planning to image it anway though as it is one of the interesting objects this time of year.



Sorry Carl.



It looks spectacular in Ha if you get enough exposure.

Greg.

[gregbradley]

Here is the Ha image by itself.

I took a lot more Ha than this but I made a few admin errors and they were imaged at 4x4 binning rather than the intended 2x2. I probably would have imaged it at 1x1 usually but I only had one night left and I wanted to get the RGB as well.

http://upload.pbase.com/image/134655798

The peak of the tower would make a good imaging target for a longer focal length scope. Those ridges and sharp bits usually look good in long focal length images. Perhaps the CDK can get that area by itself.

Greg.

[marc4darkskies]

Beautiful image there Greg! Must try this one myself!

Cheers, Marcus

[CoolhandJo]

Very nice image! I havn't seen this target before. :)

[multiweb]

Hey Greg, where is it in relation to the cluster (NGC6231) and those three bright stars in a triangle. Towards the prawn, up, down? I've been looking for a wide field of the area but I can't seem to find it. I'd like to give it a go. :thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

:D beautiful work

[atalas]

Nice work Greg...I think the composition is splendid!

[Ross G]

Thanks again Greg,

A bit different and very amazing!


Ross.

[gregbradley]

Its a little hard to find. I didn't image it for the first night or two as I couldn't find it!!



Hehe, I did the same thing. I couldn't find it either. Its up and more towards M83. I'll post you the RA and Dec. That will help. You'll have to use a fairly long focus exposure to see it. Like 10 seconds. Its RA 16.47.37 Dec -41.15.09 or thereabouts. That should get it in the image.



Thanks JJ. I was happy with how it turned out.



Cheers Louie. The leftwards leaning type framing works out well.



Cheers Ross.

[telemarker]

Hi Greg, nice colour version with good composition. You've shown the apparent layering in the head region quite well. What is the FL of the Tec?

Did this one as a narrow band last month but it's just about all Ha :lol: so had to reshoot to get the RGB, just haven't finished processing yet.

To Marc - if you use TheSky it's marked with a picture. The coordinates are on the attached plate solve from my reference image, or use the star GSC 7871 2823 to get you there.

[gregbradley]

The TEC180 is 1260mm focal length at F7.

I imaged it before with U16M camera and Tak BRC250 at 1260mm focal length but it did not turn out anywhere near as well for some reason. Stars were bloated.

Greg.

[multiweb]

Thanks guys. Will give it a shot. :thumbsup:

[Hagar]

Very nice Greg. Please leave a few photons for me to capture. You are becoming an imaging monster. LOL
Great detail and contrast as usual.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Dougie. Lucky I didn't post the other 4 or 5 images I have here.:lol:

Greg.

[Leonardo70]

Very good image Greg....

Ciao,
Leo

[Fabiomax]

Wow Greg, wonderful shot!
Fabiomax

[gregbradley]

Thanks Leo. A nice compliment after you recent stunning image posted here.




Cheers Fabio.

Ciao,

Greg.

[multiweb]

Found an old post (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=566096&postcount=1)from Bert of the whole area in Ha. It's as big as, if not bigger than the prawn. Not sure I can fit it all in my field.

[gregbradley]

The actual area of the Dark Tower itself though is relatively small.

Mike has captured a large part of the wider area in his recen Dark Tower image.

Greg.