Saturn Nebula NGC 7009

[rustigsmed]

Hi folks,


Planetary nebula ngc7009
SW12" goto dob, 42 subs @ 20sec, 14darks, iso 3200 canon 600d. DSS & ps5.
thought i'd give the saturn neb a go in the tiny window of opportunity between sundown and near moon rise 1 oct.

it was my first real crack at a planetary nebula. the resulting image was reasonably burnt out (a little unexpected), was tweaking and tweaking in photoshop and could only manage a smidge more structure than whats here. will try and capture again with a lower iso or shorter subs (and less moonlight). any other tips appreciated.

cheers

rusty

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80336656@N07/8043587534/in/photostream

[allan gould]

It's a hard object to image, maybe since its so bright you could try a 2x Barlow to give a bit more magnification. Good effort never the less.
Allan

[David Fitz-Henr]

Yes, surprising that you managed to overexpose a little - if you don't have a barlow, maybe try lots of shorter subs and a lower ISO as you suggest and you may be able to freeze the seeing somewhat and tweak out a fair bit of detail. I haven't attempted a planetary nebula yet so I'm just guessing really ... or maybe it really was Saturn :lol:

[Ross G]

Great capture Russell.


Ross.

[LewisM]

This is my version of NGC 7009 - 30 x 20" subs at ISO 1250.

Processed to show the core more than the "saturn" halo.

[rustigsmed]

Thanks for the comments / suggestions / photo! I don't have a 2x Barlow I can use (for that setup only a 5x) and I did spend half a night experimenting with different iso / sub lengths. Unfortunately for whatever reason I had trail on all the shots (even at lesser exp times) which was no doubt due to the dob mount being a little hit and miss for deep sky photography. Looking through the subs i think I will get the core but lose out on the 'rings' to do more I think I would need an equatorial, feel a little defeated but I might put an order in for a 2.5x telemate after I complete my next expenditure (mod DSLR). And try that out later ... Or put an order in on an eq6 hmmm