Tarantula and Surrounds

BruceG (Bruce) · #1 31-12-2014, 12:53 PM

Inspired by Raymo's recent image, I decided to have a go at it as it was a clear night in spite of the bright moon. The colour is not too easy to get right and I'm not sure if it is right, but I am ok with what I have.
Like always, more data would definitely help. Higher resolution here:
Cheers,
Bruce.

raymo · #2 31-12-2014, 02:08 PM

That's a decent wide field result. Everyone would appreciate it if you
give some acquisition details with your images. Single sub, or stacked,
gear used, ISO, length of subs, etc. It is especially useful to newbies who can get an idea of what to expect from their settings and gear.
raymo

BruceG (Bruce) · #3 31-12-2014, 05:40 PM

Yes, my apologies - I posted this just before having to rush away and that's my excuse.
Acquisition details are 33 x 90 seconds Megrez 90 refractor, Tele View
0.8 Reducer / flattener. camera is Canon 1000D unmodified at ISO 1600.
9 darks were used and no bias or flat frames.
Cheers and a Happy New Year to you all!
Bruce.

LightningNZ (Cam) · #4 31-12-2014, 06:08 PM

That's a really nice field you've captured Bruce.

raymo · #5 31-12-2014, 07:56 PM

Can I suggest that you don't use the reducer on targets like 2070,
which are already quite small. The reducer's flattening ability is not
that significant with an image like this. Alternatively, if the image's
quality is good enough, you could crop it moderately.
raymo

BruceG (Bruce) · #6 31-12-2014, 10:50 PM

Thanks Cam, and Raymo. I used the reducer on purpose to get more real estate in the frame. Sometimes I like to see an object in relation to its environs. I have a book of southen hemisphere photos which had the whole LMC captured very deeply and it was just wonderful. I do take on board your advice though. Galaxies see my reducer left off and solar work sees my 2" big Barlow in the chain.
Happy New Year all and stay safe!
Bruce.

LightningNZ (Cam) · #7 31-12-2014, 10:56 PM

I like the wide field personally. There are some nice dark patches in there. You could do nice mosaics with that setup. The whole LMC would be a big effort at that scale but it'd make for a great poster.

jenchris (Jennifer) · #8 01-01-2015, 02:04 AM

I like a nice wide field.
give me land lots of land and the starry skies above etc.
I took a similar shot last night and got a badly contrasted vignetted image due to no flats and poor transparency with half a moon.
But the stars are tight and the field is reasonable . Even though it is only 5 x 180 seconds.