NGC 3372 - Eta Carina Nebula

[PhotonCollector]

Hi everyone,

here's a re-do of the Eta Carina nebula that I did last week. This version of the image looks much prettier than the one I posted last week. The image was done with my 12-inch 'scope and using the modified Canon 300D with the Baader MPComaCorrector.

The image is 6 x 2-minute exposures using ISO-200. Images were darkframe, flat-field, and bias calibrated in IRIS, with final adjustments in Photoshop and some smoothing in Noiseware.

There's a higher resolution version here of the image http://www.skylab.com.au/pmsa/ngc3372g.html

Clear Skies
Paul M


<TABLE id=table1 cellPadding=2 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Image Details</TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Image Field of View</TD><TD vAlign=top>~ 47 x 33 arc-minutes</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Telescope</TD><TD vAlign=top>12-inch f/5 newtonian telescope</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Guiding</TD><TD vAlign=top>hand guided with 4.5-inch guide-scope.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Camera</TD><TD vAlign=top>Canon EOS 300D Digital - Hα enabled.
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Exposures</TD><TD vAlign=top>6 x 120 second exposure @ ISO200 with
dark and bias frames removed and flat-fielded.
average of 3 x 120 sec. darks,
average of 10 x 1/4000 sec bias,
average of 6 x 1 second flat fields.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Total Exposure time</TD><TD vAlign=top>12-minutes.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Filter/equipment</TD><TD vAlign=top>Used Baader Multi-purpose Coma Corrector.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Sky Conditions</TD><TD vAlign=top>Seeing: 9.5/10, first quarter moon at meridian.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Ambient Temperature</TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Notes</TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Processing</TD><TD vAlign=top>Iris, Photoshop, Noiseware CE.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[[1ponders]]

That is stunning Paul. A fine result for the effort you've put in. You certainly made the most of the seeing that night :thumbsup:

[tornado33]

Very nice, both in detail and colour balance. the xtra Ha light sure makes the difference doesnt it. Isnt IRIS great for removing dark noise too, especially on these everlasting warm nights , gee when are we gonna get some cool weather, the heat just wont go.
Scott

[h0ughy]

great effort Paul, i like what you have achieved

[PhotonCollector]

Thanks 1ponders, modifying the Canon 300D has really done the trick. Yes the seeing was very good that night, glad u like the image.

Paul

[PhotonCollector]

thanks houghy.

BTW I still have the black 'n white image you did of M42 stuck in my head. Next time you do an image of M42, if you do some very short exposures as well, tornado33 and/or myself can show you how to mask the core of M42 so that is not over exposed.

Paul

[h0ughy]

Ta Id like that.:thumbsup:

[PhotonCollector]

Hi tornado33,

The xtra Ha in the modified camera really does make a big difference - that's for sure. I'm not really sure whether a Baader UV/IR cut filter will improve things, what do you think?

And yes I agree IRIS does a good job of dark frame subtraction and dark frame averaging, I'm also very suprised how well it stacks images. I have also been using IRIS to do bias frames and flat-field frame subtractions too!

Yeah can hardly believe it has got hot again, last week we had a few dewy nights and I thought winter might be on its way - now it feels like summer again.

thanks,
Paul.