NGC3576 4Nm HA image under full moon

[tornado33]

Howdy all
I thought Id make the most of a clear full moonlit sky and get out the 4Nm Ha filter again.
NGC 3576 is the larger nebula complex including the outer arcs mainly on right side of image, NGC 3603 is on the top just left of centre.
Its 3x15 mins (45 mins total imaging time) at ISO 400, Offset and dark subtraction in IRIS. Also I used only the red channel. Baader 4Nm HA filter and UV/R cut filter used.

Locating it was a challenge, as absolutely nothing could be seen through the viewfinder, so I used the finderscope to find it then took 1 min ISO 1600 shots to eventually get onto the right spot.

Narrowband filters are amazing beasts to use, the moon may as well not be there, though focussing is also a challenge (I was able to focus on Sirius, it was just bright enough)
Scott

[ballaratdragons]

WOW Scott, you'd swear that was taken at New Moon. Great stuff!

[PhotonCollector]

that is totally awesome and under a full Moon - wow.

[tornado33]

Thanks :)
The downside is that I lose out with the bayer filters in the image sensor as now Im only getting the red pixels, the green and blue ones record nothing. sometimes I wish it was possible to get a factory 2nd SLR whose image sensor didnt have coloured pixels, but clear ones, but thats wishful thinking for sure.
This shows the bayer filter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayer_filter
Not a lot of red pixels there, its interesting to see theres more green ones that red or blue.
Scott

[xelasnave]

Excellent capture Scott and thanks for posting the link re filter.
alex

[h0ughy]

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[strongmanmike]

Great image Scott!

I like the unusual angle of the composition, was this intentional? It kinda makes the image even more dynamic than it already is made by the "Freddy Krugger" fingers of NGC 3576! The detail is excellent and the longer exposure time has really paid off too!

Funnily enough, I did a Ha image of NGC 3576 with a near full moon in the sky too, back in early Feb with the 6" Starfire:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/55866381/large

The Ha filter is the answer to all crazy adicted imagers so they can even image with a full moon in the sky...Bah! who needs sleep?? :screwy: :D

Mike

[Striker]

What a great image Scott......Looks like I will eventualy have to try a HA filter.

I know the 4NM filters are extemely expensive...do you have to go that low or is it worth the extra money compared to the 6 and 13NM filters.

P.S Another nice image Mike.

[Lester]

Very nice Scott.

[tornado33]

Thanks everyone.
Actually, your beaut image, Mike prompted me to take my pic of it. Mine is at the odd angle as when I rotate the off axis guider to locate guidestars the camera rotates with it and it ended up at that angle. As its time consuming doing trial and error shots, and as you say, the angle looks unusual, I decided to leave it there rather then rotate the camera (which can be rotated through 360 degrees independantly of the guider if need be).
I like your other HA images, Mike too,at http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/emission_nebulae

Heres a comparison between 3 and 9 Nm Ha filters that may be of interest
http://www.narrowbandimaging.com/comparsion_of_ha_filters_page.htm
Scott

[seeker372011]

wonderful image of a wonderful object, Scott

[tornado33]

Thanks again :)
I just realised, I got the filter spec wrong, its a 7 Nm filter, not a 4 Nm lol.
Scott

[Itchy]

That is stunning Scott

You are showing off again :D