Why not image the homunculus ?

[Starkler]

I find the homunculus nebula in eta carina a fascinating dso visually as its one of the few dso's to show colour, but I have never seen an image of it posted on IIS.

Would it be within reach of the planetary imaging brigade with their toucams?

[iceman]

Sounds like a challenge Geoff! I don't get a great view of the south from my "imaging spot", but I might be able to see it when it gets up higher.

[Starkler]

I thought you lot might be getting bored with Saturn and Jupiter and would appreciate a nice challenge ;)

Its fairly bright and looks great in good seeing, but whether its bright enough for the toucam is the $64,000 question :confuse3:

[Robby]

I tried the other night. This is a case where the eyes are better than a camera!
The dynamic range of the Homunc is so great that you need a real short exposure so that EtaC does not over power the nebula, but at such a short expousure you don't catch any detail. It's a catch22 object.
I'm sure it's possible, but I didn't have any luck!

[davidpretorius]

"has it a ngc, so i know where to look in the EC?"


now i am talking astro speak!!

the above question would make no sense to anyone off the streets

[davidpretorius]

geoff, have you got any imaging equipment????

[iceman]

Look at EC, look for the bright orange star. That's it. When the seeing is good, you see 2 "globes" or "ears" hanging off each side.

[Brad Moore]

Hi All,

EddieT has captured it.

http://www.astroshed.com/st10pics/keyhole.html

Cheers,
Brad Moore

[Starkler]

DaveP , Look for the brightest section of the eta carina neb, then look at the brightest star within that part and crank the power up and you see a nice surprise :)

No I dont have any imaging gear myself, I prefer to let others do the hard work and suffer the frustrations :lol:

[mickoking]

Thats my attitude as well ;) The Homunculus is great thru my new 300mm Dob :thumbsup:

[avandonk]

Here is a 100% crop from a 17 sec exposure taken with a Tal 200k 200mm at f8.5. It was a focus check exposure. Obviously 17 sec is too long. May show some detail with a shorter exposure and some magnification. Could be worth trying.

Bert

[Striker]

I just looked at Eddies...wow...so many 1 sec exposures with a combination of different exposure lengths...looks like a lot of work with only 10 minutes of exposure total...very nice.

[Striker]

Well done Geoff,

I think everyone would love to atleast have a go....I will be intersted to see how they turn out as the exposure's will have to be real short.

[avandonk]

The other one to go for in this region is the Hubble picture below. It is visible in Eddie T's picture.

[janoskiss]

This is a very small object too, so you need a large scope and good seeing to capture detail. I stumbled on it by accident once. It was a nice surprise indeed, Geoff.

Bright orange star in the cluster just would not want to come to focus. What could that be. Up the power, and aha! nebulosa! :) It's clearly visible even from my light polluted back yard, but dark skies will let you crank the power more.

[Brad Moore]

Hi All,

Here is a sneak preview of what I've done. It's part of my first light project on the RC. Matter of fact I'm working on capturing the Homonculous tonight.

16 hours HA, 1 hour subs.

Cheers,
Brad

[ving]

bump!

still not many pics of this object... looks great thru my 8" so i might have a go of it tonight if i get a chance (ie the clouds clear).

anyone else had a go of it?

[Astroman]

I think I might give it a whirl when I get an adapter for the 400D

[h0ughy]

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=8406&highlight=homunculus and others

[jjjnettie]

Awesome little nebula.

[ballaratdragons]

From my place (visually) it looks like those bubble eyed goldfish. Two beautiful round semi-transparent balls, one halfway behind the other. I see Homunculus extremely clear, but imaging is another thing!

This pic shows what it reminds me of, as it looks very similar thru the scope. (12" dob)

[[1ponders]]

You clear the clouds and I'll happily take the pictures.

[jjjnettie]

LOL@Ken
True true

[EzyStyles]

hi guys, im not sure what we are looking for. where abouts is the homunculus? heres one of my shot of ETA:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21896&d=1168788700

[[1ponders]]

Here ya go Eric http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eta_Carinae

[gaa_ian]

Certainly one of my Favourites, looks especially good through the 18 "

[EzyStyles]

ahh thanks Paul. I'll give that one a shot next time.

[jjjnettie]

I look forward to seeing what you come up with Eric.

[tornado33]

Hi all
Heres 2 pics of the Humunclus I have.
First one taken in Ha light,
2nd with no filter at all, and represents full spectrum plus IR light. Upscaled x2.
Both taken with 10 inch f5.6. both about 8x8 secs.
Scott

[gerry aarts]

Hi all,

Here is an image of the Keyhole Nebula & overexposed Homunuclus.
Celestron GPS11, f3.3 focal reducer, Meade DSI, 30x30 seconds exposures.
Linden Observatory Nov 2007.

How would one go about imaging the Homunuclus in detail?

Gerry

[ving]

well i had a go on friday night... its not special but there you go :)

promise not to laugh? ;)

[ving]

i wonder if hdr would do any good?