Just in time for Halloween - IC 2118

[RickS]

Another image from the October new moon at Glen Aplin - IC 2118, the Witch Head Nebula. I found this one quite difficult to process with the combination of dusty stuff and some bright blue stars. It probably needs more work (and more exposure...)

Mount: Astro-Physics AP900
Scope: Tak FSQ-106ED
Camera: Sbig STL11K, Astrodon Gen 2 filters
Guiding: Tak FS-60C and Lodestar
Focuser: Atlas
Exposures: 18x300s Lum, 6x300s each R, G & B
Processing: PixInsight

Larger version here: http://rickstevenson.smugmug.com/Astro-Photography/2012-10/i-mzsPMpc/0/X3/IC2118-Witch-Head-v2-crop-med-X3.jpg

There are lots of small galaxies in this field. I compiled a collection of some of the better ones.

Creative criticism welcomed as always. Thanks...

Cheers,
Rick.

[Leonardo70]

Congrats on a great shot.
Wonderful the galaxies in the crop.

[ourkind]

what a great image Rick! Worthy of a frame! :thumbsup:

[ozstronomer]

Great image Rick, well processed and I like the assortment of background galaxies. :thumbsup:

[LewisM]

Well done. Definitely can fully coneptualise/visualise why it is called the Witch

[strongmanmike]

Fabulous result Rick, lovely overall balance, well done and yes the hidden background galaxies are a bonus.

I'm waiting to do this one next new moon with the AG12 actually and your image has definitely inspired me not to waver :thumbsup:

Mike

[multiweb]

Very nice shot Richard. Love the little montage of the background faint fuzzies. Very clever. :thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

That's really a very good image Rick.

Greg.

[Paul Haese]

Excellent result. Colour in the galaxies is great but really like the smokey look the nebula has taken on.

[Larryp]

That's superb, Rick!:thumbsup:

[RickS]

Thanks, Leo, Carlos & Geoff!



Thanks, Lewis. My wife couldn't see it :shrug:



Thanks, Mike. I'll look forward to your no doubt stunning rendition. My AG12 has been shipped but doesn't seem keen to leave Heathrow. It has been there for a few days now, at least according to the tracking info on the DHL web site.





Thanks, Marc & Greg!



Thanks, Paul. It took a few tries to get it like that.



Thanks, Laurie!

[Stevec35]

Great shot Rick! One of the clearest shots of this nebula that I've ever seen.

Cheers

Steve

[atalas]

Awesome Witch Rick!well done.

[RickS]

Thanks, Steve & Louie!

[marc4darkskies]

That's a great shot Rick! :thumbsup: Good composition and very nice colour balance!

Cheers, Marcus

[Ross G]

Hi Rick,

What a great photo.

Amazing detail and sharpness and the colours look great.

Ross.

[RickS]

Thanks, Marcus & Ross!

[John Hothersall]

Witches Head is tricky to say the least and this is impressive with strong edges to the profile, would never have noticed those galaxies had you not pointed them out.

John.

[iceman]

Wow, loving this. Well done Rick, beautiful image.

This is now IOTW (http://www.iceinspace.com.au).

[multiweb]

Well done on IOTW Rick. That's a top shot. :thumbsup:

[Ross G]

Hi Rick,

It's a great looking photograph....congratulations on IOTW.

Ross.

[RickS]

Thanks very much, guys!

[David Fitz-Henr]

Superb image Rick! Congrats on IOTW!

[ozstronomer]

Well done Mate on IOTW, thoroughly deserved it's a great image and well processed

[lacad01]

Cracking good shot! :thumbsup:

[RickS]

Thank you David, Geoff & Adam!

[naskies]

Very spooky... perfect for Halloween. Great job again, Rick!

[atalas]

Congrats on your IOTW Rick!well earned.

[stardust steve]

Congrats IOTW. I did not see this yet till now and never seen it before:eyepop:
Excellent:thumbsup:

[allan gould]

Well done on IOTW as its a difficult and faint object to image, but you have done an excellent job.

[RickS]

Thanks, Dave, Louie, Steve & Allan!

[stevous67]

Well done! Capture and processing performed to a high standard.

Congratulations.

Steve :thumbsup:

[astronobob]

Really Nice Result Rick, I aint seen it that good untill now ! awesome dust showing ! !

[RickS]

Thanks, Steve & Bob!