The Great Nebula in Carina - Sidonio'd

[strongmanmike]

This is a perennial (boring :lol:) favourite I know but it was a good test for the AG12 field of view.

As usual the seeing fluctuated through out the collectuion process, which wasn't that long, at times it was kind of steadyish for 15 min or so and then it would go crap again :shrug:...I give up on this site :mad2:

Like my Orions Sword this is a HaOIIIRGB combination processed as an LRGB.

Anyway, in the end the result was worth it even if it is a well imaged object :P

The Great Nebula in Carina (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/141738539/original) (full frame at 50% res) - shrink it in your browser to fit it all on your screen.

and a close up

The Keyhole Nebula (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/141738547/original) (crop at 100% res)

and the super close up of the

Keyhole (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/141823459/original)

And

100% Halpha crop (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/141901156/original)

Full frame H-alpha (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/141736113/original) (full frame at 50% res)

[TheDecepticon]

:eyepop:Now that is nice.

Well done Mr Sidonio!:thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

:) It's big and it's bright and it's beautiful. Never apologise for posting an image of the Eta Carina Nebula.
Stunning shot Mike.

[allan gould]

Mike, you must love that scope as its sublime. Very happy that it's producing such sweet images for you.

[pmrid]

That's a stunning image Mike. Not just the FOV, but the depth and colour balance - it hits all the right notes.
Peter

[multiweb]

Love the wide view. Very nicely done. :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Glad you liked it



Cheers Jeanette, ah yes, Rita Eta the Eta eater

Mike



Thanks Allan that's nice to say, so far she's ok I guess, one day I'll take her to good skies :thumbsup:

Mike



On ya Pete thanks so much :)

Mike



Shame I did the Lagoon so recently...I saw it poping up on Saturday morning too..was..hard..to...resist :P

Mike

[Peter Ward]

Well, that answers my questons on what Eta plus a few hours at F3.8 would look like.

Very tidy indeed Mike.

[niko]

yeah Mike, really boring (not)

:eyepop: !!!!!!!!!

niko

[gregbradley]

Gee whiz Mike, you are hitting home runs with this setup.

An amazing Eta. Best one I have ever seen.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

Thankyou Peter, yes only 3hrs total imaging time :)



Yeh well it has to be at least a 1/2 decent version or nobody would give it a second look :lol:



Yeh?? :eyepop:...really? Man, considering the number of times it has been imaged, that's a big call :question:....maybe you just have an old mans memory :nerd: :lol: :P

Mike

[Peter.M]

Lovely picture Mike. If experienced people didnt take fantastic images of more common targets I would have no one to copy colour balances from!

Another image for me to aspire too.

[marco]

So you still are just "testing" uh? Can't wait to see serious images than :D

Great one Mike, speed of your scope here shows gives a big edge to our "slow" scopes :thumbsup:

Cheers
Marco

[alpal]

Top work - worthy of an APOD.
Shall I delete my thread with my pictures? :D

[Suzy]

Oh crickey. :scared2:

[bloodhound31]

Magnificent Mike! Thanks Suzy for bringing it to my attention on Facebook!

Baz.

[Octane]

Nicely done, very tidy. And, just 3 hours of data.

I recall mine was 11 hours. Colours are very similar. :D

H

[TrevorW]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: tops

[rcheshire]

Superb detail. The thing that strikes me is that the nebula seems to have fractured and split. Some of the matter has subsided forming gorges. It gives the appearance of once being a single 'continent'.

[sadia]

The best carina to my liking from <2000mm FL. Nicely done Mike. Now I need to learn this HaOIIIRGB combination :P

[stardust steve]

BOOMSHAKALAKA! love everything about it. Its got the wow wow factor:thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Hey thanks Pete, glad to hear that...of coruse it is only my interpretation...so be careful ;) :lol:



Yes well most images are like a test for me as it is a new FOV and depth :)

Thanks for your kind words Marco, if I ever get her under dark skies look out :thumbsup:



Yeh? you think?...as long as you like it I'm happy.

And no please don't delete your images I loev all images yeh some look better than others but they are all quite enjoyable to look at either way :thumbsup:



Soooo...you like it Suzy, cool :)



Cheers Baz...t'is only Eta Carina though :whistle:



Thanks Humayun and nice to hear from you too...miss your astro work actually, when is the walk in NZ wilderness coming to an end? ;)

Mike

[strongmanmike]

Yes I see what you mean Rowland :confuse3: Carinawanna land?



Gee wow, that's nice to hear Sad :thumbsup: It's like painting, how does an artist describe his creativity :question:...I process on teh fly it really is like creating a painting, complete with messed up hair, determined stare and complete focus :lol:...a little bit of madness perhaps too :question: :painting:



Great to hear Steve :thumbsup: Honk honk :lol:

[marc4darkskies]

Very very noice Mike! The FOV is great for this object. My work monitor sucks so the detailed critique will have to wait until tonight.

BTW, we must be telePATHETIC - I've started on Eta myself :lol: Another night like Saturday I'll finish it! No single night images for me!! :(

Cheers, Marcus

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Marcus, yeh my work monitor is a bit high contrast and in a well lit room so makes proper viewing difficult, some images look better but most look dodgey.



:lol: ah noooo not another Eta :scared: well, at least we know it will be a good 'un ;) and you are sure to have better seeing :rolleyes:

Perhaps we should compare notes a little more, just so nobody gets bored or falls a sleep...:zzz2:

Mike

[h0ughy]

one day, when the skies are clear for more than one night it would be good to see the beastie in full flight rather than "test" mode. THAT WILL INDEED BE A PERFECT DAY, until then this is NIRVANA! Yes we are photon starved Mike but that is a ripper of a shot

[Paul Haese]

Field looks pretty good might. I am more than a little surprised that this system is not showing any flexure at all. Especially when you consider the size of the camera you have hanging off the scope.

Nice shot this, now get on with something we have not seen matie. :)

[strongmanmike]

That sounds like some compliments there Dave :question: thanks :)

I need to get her out of New Lambton to better seeing not to mention darker skies :rolleyes:, I am starting to think it may be internal seeing in the scope now, or at least this may be contributing. I have been considering cutting some holes in her tube above the mirror and installing some side mounted fans :question:...but you can appreciate how hard it would be to do this to a new scope :eyepop: The saving grace is that I know when I moved out to image from Kurri (from Thornton) I rarely had good seeing from there either, in fact my last effort on Eta was from Kurri and it too was plagued by poor seeing and since that was using a standard candle in the proven Starfire, I live in hope that I simply am in the same seeing boat again now :shrug:

Mike

[strongmanmike]

You haven't seen the Eta Carina Nebula before have you?? :eyepop: no surely not..:shrug: Actually, I tried to point it out in the sky to my mum and sister on the night and they couldn't see it..? Plain as day to me squint as they might "naahhh can't see it.." was the cry...bah, weak visioned non astronomers sheesh....:rolleyes:

Something we have not seen huh? :question:...well without a Clayton Bay or an observatory :rolleyes: , makes going for faint things, especially in Lum and RGB, essentially out of the question from where I am at the moment as they would need such long exposures and then the gradients, oh the gradients :prey: and having to setup and pulldown is something I am starting to avoid now...hmmmm don't mean to complain :innocent:...so just enjoy what I give's ya fella ;)

Mike

[gregbradley]

Yeh?? :eyepop:...really? Man, considering the number of times it has been imaged, that's a big call :question:....maybe you just have an old mans memory :nerd: :lol: :P

Mike[/QUOTE]

Heehee sorry sonny what's your name again?:lol: No really its that good.

Greg.

[John Hothersall]

Masterful as usual, a glorious nebula for sure. Saw it was completely clear in NSW for a couple of days thought you might be out. 4 months of rain wind and cloud here in Bris so I'm jealous.

John.

[DavidU]

Oh dear ! what can I say..........:thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Heehee sorry sonny what's your name again?:lol: No really its that good.

Greg.[/QUOTE]

Old man Bradley had a farm in Biga ei ei O :P



Thanks John, It was clear here on Thurs and Fri but I only managed Fri, you know, work and all etc :sadeyes:...not mention old age :rolleyes:



:question: Nice?..:lol: thanks Dave:thumbsup:

[mitch]

Such amazing detail!! :eyepop:

I dream of the day when mine look remotely like that.

Well done

[SkyViking]

Such a fabulous view Mike, and the colours look very natural and pleasing.
Amazing how your setup can fit it all in one shot. Funny to think that'd be roughly 192 frames with the ToUCam - but they'd have to overlap so probably more like 250 actually!
Great work as usual, it's always a joy to see your images. :)

[Rigel003]

Magnificent Mike. If that was under average seeing and heavy light pollution, I'd like to see what you do on a good night.

[strongmanmike]

Well Mitch thankyou very much. Here is my early CCD work (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/early_ccd_images) from 2003...so have faith :thumbsup:



Thanks Rolf, yes the AG and Proline are a match made in heaven...you have a larger camera on the way though too don't you?



Oh you and me both Graeme :thumbsup:

Mike

[Jen]

:eyepop::eyepop: woahhhhhhh Mr Sidonio you have done it again that is just a stunner of a shot :thumbsup::thumbsup: As of course i knew it would be your pics are amazing :) keep up the good work cheers :thumbsup:
more.... more...more :D

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Jen :thumbsup:

[SkyViking]

Yes I do, the QSI 683wsg-8 :D Can't wait to get my hands on it, should be here early April according to OPT.

[Nico13]

Mike your shots just blow me away, to see stuff like this from a backyard ground based scope is just that, mind blowing. :thumbsup:
The subtleties of those core colours combined with that detail is so pleasing to the eye it just makes you feel good to see the effort put in gives such a great result. :)
Thanks for showing them to us.

Ken.

[RobF]

And I'd just been thinking it's about 6-8 frames for my FOV - now that makes me feel not so hard done by Rolf!

Masterful work Mike - love the subtle processing around the keyhole and fickle finger - "sharp as" without feeling overdone or over-saturated. And besides, just plain beautiful as well.

[strongmanmike]

Thanks so much guys, the positive feelings expressed are wonderful to hear :)

As I have said (I know..a few times :rolleyes:) my site is not the best, heavy light pollution and generally poor seeing so this is really not representing the true capabilities of this remarkable OTA :)

Mike

[LightningNZ]

Oh man! Now that's something special. Incredible that it's only 3 hours capture. I've never seen a shot of this neb look so... perfect.

Mike - a question for you sir. Do you have any preferences between the AG and the ASA?

Many thanks for posting,
Cam

[strongmanmike]

Geez you guys are swelling my head :ashamed: thanks a lot for the kind words :)



Hmmmmm? well my ASA at least... was a lemon, soooo

Look here (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/orion_optics_ag12)

email me if you have any specific questions :thumbsup:

Mike

[mill]

It is showing very small on my screen :(
Looks like pbase doesn't like me :(
But from what i can see it looks excellent.

[strongmanmike]

Hi Marto

Maybe try navigating from my front page.?

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002

Once you are at the image, just scroll down and select "original" size at the bottom of the page.

Lemmi know how you go :thumbsup:

Mike

[Suzy]

*ahemmmm ...* For something different ......

Mike, forgetting what you said above :P

I issue you a challenge ;)

It's the 25th Anniversary of sn1987a- it would be fabulous to see a pic from you of the remnant. :D
And post it where it belongs- on the current running anniversary thread (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=87084).
This guy did it here (http://my.hwy.com.au/sjquirk/images/ngc2070.html#1987a), even showing the light echo ring! I'd love to see the damage you could do! :eyepop:

[strongmanmike]

Nice idea Suz but at 1180mm FL my scope isn't really designed for such tiny things, this would e a better target for the larger RC's out there that can be barlowed and preferably ones at good steady sky sites.

Marcus Davies located the SNR (http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/image/132258981/original) last year in his wide field shot taken with his Tak 6" APO (1100mm FL)

Mike

[mill]

Got to see the picture via the front page and it looks gooder than good :thumbsup:
(misspelling was intentional :P ).

[strongmanmike]

That's good, not sure why you couldn't access via the direct link..:question:

Glad you liked the larger version too :)

Mike

[allan gould]

Mike
You are like inspirational road kill. I know I shouldn't look but I always do and then I just lament my lack of skills, but glad there is someone that can do.

[h0ughy]

does he come with the tyre marks? :rofl:
you know he could have his own repro awards - especially when you add his favourite letters together FLIMS; they could be called the FLIMSY award for dedication to photon development. Allan you have to say that he is in a class above once again

[strongmanmike]

Who's the road kill Allan? you or me? :question:

FLI = Finger Lakes Instrumentation, I imagine? aaand MS = ....Mega Sid? (as in repro) :lol:

Mike

[Suzy]

That's a shame Mike, but whoa thanks so much for the link to a pic of the remnant. How awesome is that! :eyepop:

[alpal]

Hi Michael,
I just realised something.
Your FOV = 1.8deg X 1.8deg

According to this web page:
http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/nebulae/m08m20.html

the Triid & Lagoon will fit in a frame of 2.8° x 2.1°.

That means that you'd be able to make a 2 frame mosaic
& get both targets in one final picture for a huge wall poster with high definition.
What a great project for later on in the year!
You can do it with only 2 frames but most of us would need
about 4 to 8 frames to do the same job.

[strongmanmike]

Yes, food for thought.... :question:

Thanks

Mike

[Stevec35]

Another winner Mike! I think you could tone down the brightness of the centre a bit in the close up shot though. You seem to be losing a bit of fine detail.

Cheers

Steve

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Steve, appreciate the feedback, I think I see what you are saying so as an experiment...is THIS (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/141799822/original) any better..?

Mike

[Stevec35]

Hi Mike

Still something there I can't quite put my finger on but I think that is better.

Cheers

Steve

[strongmanmike]

Did you blink between them? when I do this the latest version is more detailed buuuut I have dissrespected the light somewhat :lol:

Probably just seeing limited :shrug:...my seeing really is quite bad, which I have become used to in this neck of the woods actually. In Canberra you are spoiled - from my experience what I thought was crappy seeing in Canberra is about average here in Newcastle, the steady skies I remember getting quite regularly from Mt Campbell with the Starfire are almost non existent here :doh:...so I recon we will be back some day ;)

Mike

[richardo]

This is really very nice Migel!!
I hear your frustration with fluctuating seeing throughout the night... sharp stars:).... sh** stars.....:mad2: sharp stars:)... sh** stars :mad2:

But really, this image has a nice feel to it... lots of depth and great colour.

Man, was a hell of a conga line to get on board to comment on this image...:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown: :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

Yous is one popular party dude.... Dude:D

All the best:cheers:
Rich

[ballaratdragons]

I noticed that too Rowland.

The Kehole Nebula has changed and become more transparent over the last 12 months, and that flare out the left side seems to have grown. :)
It could be from the high quality of the image too :lol:
But it sure does look different than a year ago.

Congrats Mike on another stunning image :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Ah you're the consumate gentleman Ricki :love2:

Thanks dude, glad you enjoyed it, hard to get that reaction from an Eta shot so I'm happy that so many still enjoyed it regardless of it's done-to-death-ness :thumbsup:.

Mike

[strongmanmike]

Hey cheers Ken... but I'm not sure if you are taking the piss or not :question: :lol:

Mike

[Stevec35]

Yes - any very slight deficiencies are probably seeing related.

You might find Canberra changed from before. All we seem to get now are clouds and rain.

Cheers

Steve

[strongmanmike]

If I could get this sort of seeing (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/131963654/original) again for the AG12 that would be bluddy good :thumbsup:

Mike

[ballaratdragons]

Mike, I am being serious :lol:
with a serious observation.

The Keyhole seems to have thinned or become more transparent over the last year, or it could just be that the Keyhole has looked that way for a long time but the high quality of your image now allows us to see the Keyhole how it truly is.

No piss-taking :thumbsup:

Same with the flare out the left side of the Keyhole. It seems bolder, brighter.

[Peter Ward]

I've seen that AP152 data set before...but looking at the first time round version the stellar footprints were about 4x larger.

I'm curious....what made them smaller? Layered Erosion filter?

[avandonk]

Unless you get the seeing right Mike do not bother to post an image. I have found that perfection results in zero output. Not one of us would have been born if our parents used the same criteria! Apart from the immaculate conceptions!

Bert

[ballaratdragons]

:rofl: SO TRUE

[strongmanmike]

Just zoomed in a bit more :D

Super close up of the Keyhole (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/141823459/original)

Not quite as good as the Starfire shot (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/131963654/original) but not bad considering the seeing differential between the two occasions :thumbsup:

Mike

[strongmanmike]

No wuckers Ken, I was just joshing anyway, I knew what you meant really :thumbsup:



Aint that true, bit like holding back on your singing becasue you think it isn't perfect, unless it is Really bad...then sing I say! Sing!:thumbsup:

:lol:

[Ross G]

The previous posts have said it all Mike......that is one beautiful photograph.

A pleasure to view.

Thank you.

Ross.

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Ross glad you liked it :)

Mike

[strongmanmike]

I wasn't quite happy with the colour variation coming through in the previous final combine. The RGB showed that there should be some lovely subtle colour variations in the nebula but it just wasn't coming through in the full HaOIIIRGB combine, plus I felt the contrast in the many dark clouds was juuust lacking ever so slightly too...

Soooo I have reprocessed to bring out some of this colour variation and contrast in the full frame and cropped versions:

Full Frame (at 50%) (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/141738539/original)

100% Crop (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/141738547/original)

Hope it looks a little more lively and dynamic :)

Mike

[Octane]

It was fine the way it was. It's lost something, now, and looks flat. :S

Unless, it's the screen I'm using it to view on, now.

H

[strongmanmike]

Hmmm, ok, Fair enough H, I like feedback.

On reflection...there isn't much in it really :question:...perhaps I am just going :screwy: :lol:

Mike

[gregbradley]

I like the new version. As you say not a lot different but I do personally prefer slightly brighter images over one that is darker. There are a few more colour tones as well as you point out.

Greg.

[multiweb]

+1 I like the new one. Better color variation in the bright bits. :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Cheers boys :thumbsup:

Looking again at the two (well few :whistle:) versions, I now can't decide, I like things about all of'em :lol:

Oh well, I'll leave it for now and think about my next target

Mike
It's official... I am crazy :nerd:

[LightningNZ]

Mike, your repro is definitely sharper looking. Not sure how I feel about the very yellow looking interior though. The stars feel more "true colour" but I'm not sure they really feel so blue through a scope?

Beautiful all the same.

Cheers,
Cam

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Cam

Funny the slight yellow bias in the bright areas is usually processed away but I recon it is correct, there is a lot of OIII in that area, bit like The Orion Nebula, which would add green to the area . In my first version I lowered it almost completely but on reflection I think it is more accurate :question:

Mike

[RickC]

This a stunning image Mike, definitley not boring!
a pleasure to view
Richard

[LucasB]

Absolutely fantastic Mike! :thumbsup::thumbsup:
One of those photos you can swim around in. Just ordered a VX10 from Orion Optics with the Ultra optics to satisfy my deep space visual needs. The photos you produce with the AG12 have certainly pointed me in the OO UK direction.
Lucas

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Richard and Lucus.

Great news about the new scope Lucas, glad to be a catalyst for you, you must be more than a little excited :thumbsup:

Mike