[DavidTrap (David)]

After the thread in the Website Feedback section entitled "A Monthly DSO Challenge?", Mike (iceman) has agreed to another try of a Monthly Deep Sky Imaging Challenge. Thanks to Mike (mldee) for starting that thread and all those who gave their opinions. I have offered to take up the "challenge" of running the challenge. So here goes nothing!

Targets for June:
M17 – The Swan Nebula in Sagittarius
IC4628 – Emission Nebula in Scorpius

After a bit of thought, it was decided to select two targets – one big and bright and one a bit harder – something to keep everyone challenged. (Initially, I will be choosing the targets. I'm definitely a beginner, and will seek assistance from various sources. Eventually, there may be audience participation to choose next months' targets.)

Many seasoned imagers will have done these targets before, possibly even this year - it would be an exercise in frustration to attempt to find something that had never been done. The challenge may be to image these objects with new equipment or try some new processing techniques.

The challenge is open to all comers. There are no classes or categories – everyone may post images for both objects. Seasoned imagers will hopefully provide some inspiring images, along with advice for beginners with more modest equipment.

Please submit all images with the following standard information:
* Scope: (+/- reducers/flatteners)
* Imaging device:
* Mount:
* Guiding:
* Exposure details: (include ISO for DSLRs, temp for CCDs)
* Stacking method: (Median, average, sigma, etc. Darks, flats &/or bias frames)
* Summary of post processing:
* Darkness of imaging site: (Good, bad, ugly!)
* Date(s) image taken: (Ideally the image will be taken during this month, but previous work is not excluded to allow for weather and other life commitments)

There will be two threads – this one for posting images and another to post comments.

The usual 200kb limit for files applies. Adding a link to a higher resolution file is encouraged.

There will be no voting on the best image(s) of the month. The aims of the game are participation, especially from beginners, and learning, hence the standard list of information requested. The “methodology” of this challenge is open to review, and comments are appreciated – please PM me.

Cheers,
DavidTrap

P.S. I've had a request from the visual observers. They are hunting globular clusters this month. If anyone can spare a little time to image these faint objects, they'd be most grateful - a slight twist to the challenge perhaps:

UKS-1...the dimmest at +17.3 mag, or thereabouts RA: 17:54:27.2, DEC: -24:08:43

AM1 (ESO 201-10)...the farthest at 400Kly, RA: 3:55:02.7, DEC: -49:36:52, about +15.7 mag