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Old 01-05-2014, 09:39 PM
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sjastro
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LMC imaged in near UV

One of the issues of NUV (near UV) imaging is selecting a target that is sufficiently different from imaging in the visual range to make it worth the effort.

One of the problems of imaging in NUV, unlike narrowband imaging is there is no contrast enhancement due to reduction in natural and artificial light pollution, in fact contrast is reduced due to near UV in the upper atmosphere.

The other problem is the low QE in NUV in amateur CCDs plus the absorption of UV in optical glass.
I used my ST-10XME which has moderate sensitivity in near UV plus a pancake lens design to minimize absorption.

The LMC was selected due to it being subjected to tidal forces by our galaxy and the SMC. Collisions due to tidal stress emit radiation in UV. Hot young stars also emit UV.

Image details.
Imaged with a 70mm Pentax pancake lens at f/4 and ST-10XME.
1 hr R, 1 hr G, 1 hr B and 2 hrs NUV.
The NUV and B data were combined to form a RG(B+NUV) image.
The B+NUV combination enhances the blue regions in the LMC and are areas in the LMC where NUV emissions occur.

Large resolution image here.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~sjastro/LMC_NUV.html

Clear skies

Steven
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Last edited by sjastro; 01-05-2014 at 10:23 PM. Reason: Additional info.
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