Hello guys - and an offering

[strongmanmike]

Just thought I'd finally join the IIS image forum :hi:

To start the ball rolling here is my latest image

NGC 4945 in Centaurus

Mono in negative:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/59660906/large

LRGB:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/59280484/large

Click on "original" under the image for a big close up view if you like

I like the negative mono version personally - the seeing was good that night and the NJP mount tracks perfectly! :thumbsup: see:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/njp_unguided_exposures

Hope to enjoy my time here :D

Mike Sidonio

[matt]

Excellent stuff Mike.

Your images are always great.

You still here in Canberra? Thought you were headed north?

[strongmanmike]

Nah, haven't sold the house yet but if/when we do, we will probably stay in Canberra now at least until next year and re-evaluate.

If anyone is interested in a great new home and top notch observatory see:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/observatorygeneral

Mike

[[1ponders]]

:hi: and :welcome:

You really know how to make and entrance Mike. Fantastic image. It looks very 3D.

[RB]

G'day Mike,

A superb image, one of many in your fabulous collection.
I'm so glad you finally joined us here on IIS.
We met recently at the SPSP if you remember.

I was wondering the reason why you used two different scopes for your Lum and RGB data?
I must say the core of NGC 4945 looks like it fluoresces with light in your image, obviously using the starfire for the Lum data helps enormously.
Just wondering why you didn't use it for the RGB data?

Once again welcome to IIS and I'm looking forward to many more wonderful images from you.

:welcome:

[Itchy]

Hi Mike

It's about time! :D :gday:

Welcome to IIS. I look forward to your contributions. It is great to have such an emminent Astrophotographer amoung us.

I'll get this out of the way now:
:bowdown:

There, I won't have to do that each time you post a brilliant shot.

That NJP is certainly a beauty.

Cheers

[Striker]

Welcome Mike...and what a great image.

How did you end up getting a Starfire....the waiting list for this brand refractor is years...I know I enquired my self.

[davidpretorius]

your offering is accepted, welcome to survivor!

well that negative is awesome as well as your lovely images in AS&T

[strongmanmike]

Every new image that comes out of this masterpiece of a 6" scope seems to become my favourite! and NGC 4945 is no exception :)

[strongmanmike]

Because I was about to run into the tripod and I couldn't be bothered waiting and doing a Meridian flip, I didn't get the RGB data so I perused my rather extensive image data base and found the image of 4945 I had done with the 80ED last year :-) I must get a pedistal pier for the NJP so I can go longer, if the scope itself isn't going to run into anything and depending on where I am pointing the NJP can track apto 1.5 hrs past the Meridian!

Mike

[xstream]

Great image as usual Mike.

Welcome aboard the gravy train. :lol: It's only the best here. :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Ah Itchy LOL

Not sure about the emminent bit......but

You may rise now my son! :-)

Mike

[strongmanmike]

This is a limited edition Starfire made in the early 90's. I got it second hand from Katsuya Kitada of Japan. Astrophysics only produced two of these scopes and the other one is in Europe so it is a collectors item. It has the 4" focuser and 4" field flattener. I haven't used the flattner yet due to the chip size I use, the SXV-H9 has only an 11mm image circle and I think I could go out to about 20mm (or more?) before the corrector would be needed?. It is an excellent scope and I have exceeded the Dawes limit with it, comfortably spliting 0.7" :-)

Mike

[strongmanmike]

Hmmmm?...graaaaaavy.......

Homer Sidonio

[strongmanmike]

Hey I was amazed by the detail that is enhanced when displaying in negative, here are two more examples I've done:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/56493819/large

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/59548305/large

Mike

[acropolite]

Welcome Mike, beautiful images :thumbsup:

[iceman]

Hi Mike, :welcome: to IIS!

Great images, and look forward to more contributions from you.

[Robby]

Lovely shot Mike... Like the house & observatory. I'll be giving you a call when I win Lotto! Looks like a perfect axross the ditch retreat!
Cheers

[strongmanmike]

Aei Robby

It is an absolute dream setup (well..?..perhaps a 14.5" RCOS on a ParamountME would be marginally better..?) and near perfect location and I will be sad to leave it.

I really wish I could sell it to an astronomer :-(

Mike

[h0ughy]

Welcome Mike:) , pretty ordinary shot you offered there:D . Like Itchy Said I would :bowdown: but I have a bad back, but its great to see you here. I thought you sold the dome part of the observatory, or do I have you mixed up with another person????

next year your only allowed to enter once in the SPSP astro photo comp:P

Is it true your leaving canberra to come to the Hunter/central coast region? (vicious rumors);)

[strongmanmike]

What's with all this bowing guys...? :-o

I'm just an ordinar.....?...well ummm?..perhaps not?.. I do like to dress in womens clothing occasioanlly I guess -

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/55264366/original

Your in luck Houghy becasue I am a trained and qualified fitness proffesional so I might be able to help you with your back?

Mike

[Itchy]

:eyepop: There is another good reason to bow :lol2:

[strongmanmike]

I posted a reply to you some hours ago but it hasn't come through so here goes again:

No I didn't sell the dome yet as I was waiting to sell the whole property first. We think we have a buyer again now though (fingers crossed).

Yes we were coming to Newcastle at the end December last year but our intended buyer fell through at the very last second before exchange! Argggg!

We think we will stay in Canberra at least until the end of the year if we do sell and then re eveluate our position next year but I think I will be a Novecastrian soon :-)

Oh and BTW I'm a qualified fitness proffesional so I may be able to help you with your back problems :-)

Mike

[h0ughy]

Thanks Mike, I think the Newcastle Astronomical Society will be better for it.

You will meet Mr Alder, the astro GOD here in Newcastle:D , and Paul, and a whole list of others that makes for a very diverse group of individuals. You will of course discover lostock for yourself next year:thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Ok I found the first post - it was on the next page of the thread DOH! :-)

Where do the Newcastle guys do their dark sky observing/imaging, at Lostock?

Is there anywhere I could setup a temporary observatory structure under dark skies where it would be safe and secure?

Mike

[h0ughy]

To be honest, we dont visit dark sites all that often, so nearly all of our stuff in done in the city. Only get to let the hair down at events like lostock, SPSP, Qld Astrofest ETC. Occationally visit Kulnura (very few and far between for me, but common place for Mike and others Thanks to Frogman (Anthony) who is unfortunatelly moving on, so I think they will be looking for new digs. I have gone north of newcastle to seaham or further, but it is a case of trying to seek somewhere safe as well

[EzyStyles]

welcome mike! geeeeee'sssss :prey2: :prey2: :prey2:

best i have seeeennn.!

[tornado33]

yes great image there.
My rig doesnt go much past the meridian either, meaning Id have to do a meridian flip to keep imaging the same object.
Scott