Trifid Nebula

[swannies1983]

First attempt at the Trifid Nebula.

Details
Scope: 8" Newt
Mount: EQ6
Camera: Unmodded Canon 400D
ISO1600
Exposures: 44x60secs unguided (I will attempt 90-120secs when the clouds clear)
Stacked in DSS and processed in CS3

Large image (http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5899/trifidnebuladoentlarge.jpg)

[spearo]

very well done
good tracking nice round stars, i'd possibly consider a very slight hint more saturation perhaps if it doesnt introduce problems.
it goes without saying that you'll capture more of the nebulosity with longer exposures but for unguided imaging you wouldnt want to go much past 60 sec i reckon.
impressive result
good work
frank

[bokglob]

Sweet Dan:thumbsup: Colours and resolution are great. Get some guiding going for some seriously good images I'm sure! Thanks for the look:)

[Ross G]

Hi Dan,

For such short exposures, it looks amazingly good.

Once you increase exposures, you will be producng excellent photos.


Thanks.

Ross.

[jjjnettie]

Just keep on adding subs to this, and it will keep on getting betterer and betterer.
:D

[swannies1983]

Thanks for the comments.

I feel lucky that I was able to pick up unguided imaging fairly quickly (processing is still another matter :P). I would like to try guiding but not ready to spend the money. However, I do have an old 60mm tasco refractor and a Philips Toucam. I have heard that people have been able to guide via this method. Do many people guide this way?

jjjnettie: how many more subs would you suggest? Going by my understanding, is it correct that adding more subs will improve SNR? However, given my short sub lengths, am I limited to what extra data i.e. additional colour, nebulosity etc I will be able to acquire?

[jjjnettie]

Imagine how good the image would look if you doubled the number of subs. :D
Go for it!!

[midnight]

There's a hint of more data in there. You have done very well for unguided and the result is quite promising & you should be very pleased with this.

Darrin...

[atalas]

Terrific effort Dan!