Couple more from Qld Astrofest (M33 and North Am Neb)

[RobF]

Managed to catch up a bit more processing recently.

M33 shot briefly with the Zenithstar 80 and QHY9 towards the end of AF when I thought I was starting to scrape enough M31 data together and could afford to wander a bit more.
LRGB 40:30:30:30 (10min unbinned subs)

North American Nebula shot ZS80II and QHY9 also.
LRGB 10:10:10 (single R, G and B frames - unbinned)

Both a bit noisey of course, BUT you can see more than I could make out in my 8" visually....:D



(edit: North Am neb was only single R, G and B frames - insufficient data to process any further)

[jjjnettie]

:) happy to see more from you Rob.
Loving that M33.
And the Nth Am Neb, it's huge isn't it.

[allan gould]

Nice images Rob, especially as these are difficult to get from our latitudes. I'm impressed by your M33 image.

[RickS]

You certainly like a challenge, Rob :) Good work on both targets!

[multiweb]

That looks great Rob. Really cool colors. :thumbsup:

[peter_4059]

Love the M33 Rob. Great colours.

[ozstronomer]

Rob, well done on both targets.
M33 looks great

[RobF]

Thanks guys and girl! I'm always in a hurry to visit as many objects as I can, and the little Zenithstar punches well above its weight with the QHY9 and MPCC as flattener. I didn't shoot a single 8" Newt image in the end as I was happy exploring the options through the shorter focal length all week. So much to explore and so little time.

I have issues sorting flats for red and Ha which I'm not sure is ZS or filter related. Something to work on over XMAS. Need to rewire my lightbox for LEDs. North American neb has eluded me in the past, so was good to get some data on it. I'm darned if I can ever see it visually in binocs. Maybe will shoot more M33 if lucky enough to get another outing next month or so.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Hi Rob,

Nice images!

I really like your M33, you pulled out some great colour and detail for the total exposure time.
I guess this where QHY9 and filters has it over the straight RGB in a DSLR.

Cheers,

Justin.

[Ross G]

Great photos Rob.

Yor M33 is superb.

Ross.

[RobF]

Thanks Justin. Actually for brighter galaxies an SLR at around zero degrees ambient (typical late night temp at astrofest!) is pretty good. They can struggle more on nebs (less hydrogen/red sensitivity) and having more chromatic background noise. I've post some other pics taken with an SLR and 1970s era lens taken during astrofest that show the humble DSLR is still a great imaging tool (and data is a LOT easier to process usually!).



Glad you enjoyed it Ross. Cheers. :)