Cats Paw NGC6334

[peter_4059]

Here's the second image from last night. This time 24x5mins. I think this one suffered a bit from the dew that set in as the night progressed.

Comments welcome.

[troypiggo]

Really nice mate. Looks like it's begging for a mosaic for another frame lower and left. Next fine night :)

[peter_4059]

Thanks Troy. It's interesting how the stars softened up compared to the other image. I checked the focus before starting on this one and it was fine.

[RobF]

Change in seeing perhaps Peter? You've still got a great pic to show for the night there.

[peter_4059]

Thanks for the encouragement Rob.

I'm getting a bit sick of being tired and cold only to find the image wasn't up to scratch due to seeing/dew/flexure/focus/guiding etc. So many variables!

[RobF]

Yes, its genuinely tough to figure out if you have a winner on your hands most of the time isn't it. The flip side of the coin is possibly even more frustrating though - you think the focus is a bit off and its late so you don't give it your best and later regret when you're processing and discover the data is actually pretty good.

I think you're being a bit hard on yourself with this one. Take another look after you've caught up on sleep....:)
I suspect a bit of Ha blended in from another night on would firm up the tightness of the stars and neb for example?

[multiweb]

Don't beat yourself. It's still a very good picture. You've got some great details and the colors are spot on :thumbsup: As other said you can shoot the second half oin line and have a great 2 panel mosaic. Then go back to the first panel later and shoot additional data if you want. It is always frustrating when you're tired and made an effort to capture data that you think lets you down but most of the time, walk away from it, come back and you'll see you can always make the most out of what you've captured.

[Hagar]

Anotrher nice image Peter. Not to shabby and the stars don't look to hampered by dew.

[Ross G]

Great photo Peter.

I would have a huge smile if I could produce a shot like that!

Ross.

[peter_4059]

Thanks for the comments. I went back over this tonight to see if I could keep the brighter stars from blowing out and although I think I've done this to a certain extent I think I'll repro it from scratch and pay a bit more attention to the stars.