Lagoon Nebula from Ten Chain

[RickS]

Here's an image containing M8 and IC 4685, hopefully processed better than my first attempt at M83 :)

Scope: Tak FSQ-106ED
Mount: AP900
Camera: QHY-12

3 x 10 minute exposures (all I could get before the fog rolled in at 2:30am)

Bigger version here: http://rickstevenson.smugmug.com/Astro-Photography/Astro-Images/i-ptRCjdK/0/O/M8-IC4685.jpg

Creative comment and criticism appreciated!

Thanks,
Rick.

[jjjnettie]

The Great Foot in Sagittarius!
Such an icon, it's even wearing thongs. LOL
A beaut image Rick.

[RickS]

Thanks, JJJ! I suspect that mental picture will now haunt me every time I see that image :lol:

[adman]

nice one rick - there is some great detail in the lagoon

Adam

[multiweb]

Great field but considering the scope used I reckon you have a very obvious camera tilt given this TAK should have a perfectly flat field. The top of the frame is sharp but the bottom is out of focus. Other than that it's a good shot with nice framing. :thumbsup:

[RickS]

Thanks, Adam!

Marc: I'll take a look at that, thanks. I'm improvising a little on the scope to camera connection at present and don't have a robust (all screwed together) set of adapters yet. I need to spend some money with Precise Parts some time soon. I also have a tilt adjust adapter for the camera which I'll try if the tilt isn't moving around as a result of flexure.

Cheers,
Rick.

[renormalised]

Nice shot Rick....great colours and well framed. But I agree with Marc there about your focus. Have a look at your big piccie. You can see what Marc is saying in that. With an APS sized sensor the whole image should be Tak sharp (pun intended :)).

[DavidTrap]

Unfortunately Ric, I have to agree with Marc and so does CCD inspector.

46% curvature!

This is the 3D plot of the image, spun around 90 degrees so the top of the image is to the left and the bottom is to the right.

Other than that, I like to image of the nebula and composition - I'd suggest trying Shadow/Highlights to see if you can bring back some detail in the core of the nebula.

DT

[ozstronomer]

Rick

Lovely shot, you may just need to check the camera attachment in the visual back of the scope. Sometimes my reducer is tilted off axis by the compression ring. Re-centering it may sort out the tilt

[RickS]

Thanks for the comments and advice, chaps! I looked at all my images with CCD Inspector and it appears that the tilt varies and moves around, so I think it is probably flexure... I'll spend some time and see if I can find the cause and resolve it.

Cheers,
Rick.