Helix Nebula

DiscoDuck (Paul) · #1 16-08-2021, 06:49 PM

I just replaced my ZWO 1600MM with a 294MM and my first target to test it out on was the Helix.

About 12 hours of Ha, 5 of OIII and 1 each of RGB (for star colours) taken in a dark sky site with an RC8 + Mach1 mount.

Astrobin version is here.

The 294 has a lot of amp glow compared to the 1600, and some very weird looking flats. But all seemed to calibrate out ok. Dew and wind provided some "fun" challenges too

Edit: updated attached image to latest version after a number of updates.

AdamJL · #2 16-08-2021, 07:06 PM

oh wow. That's stunning!!

PKay (Peter) · #3 16-08-2021, 08:33 PM

Nice one Paul

I gathered a few hours of S2 on this last night for interest, not much there.

Well done

JA · #4 16-08-2021, 08:41 PM

Super job DD

Best
JA

Peter Ward · #5 16-08-2021, 08:45 PM

That is a very eye-soothing result (pardon the pun). Very good indeed

gregbradley · #6 17-08-2021, 07:15 AM

Super image. Great detail and colour. Stars have no colour though. What happened there? Exposures too long for the stars?

Greg.

DiscoDuck (Paul) · #7 17-08-2021, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamJL

oh wow. That's stunning!!

Thanks Adam.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PKay

Nice one Paul

I gathered a few hours of S2 on this last night for interest, not much there.

Well done

Thanks Peter. Interesting re S2. I was wondering if that was worth grabbing too - but didn't have enough time at the dark sky site.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JA

Super job DD

Best
JA

Thanks JA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

That is a very eye-soothing result (pardon the pun). Very good indeed

Thank you, Peter. Pun appreciated! :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Super image. Great detail and colour. Stars have no colour though. What happened there? Exposures too long for the stars?

Greg.

Doh. I added the star colour improperly. Thanks for spotting. I'll redo that. I don't think there's a lot of colour in the brighter stars so I didn't notice. But I undercooked the RGB image before combining. Thanks.

Edit: Astrobin link is now to newer version.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #8 17-08-2021, 08:18 AM

Top shot Paulie

Aaaah...yep, Helix season is upon us

Mike

DiscoDuck (Paul) · #9 17-08-2021, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Top shot Paulie

Aaaah...yep, Helix season is upon us

Mike

Thanks Mike

Aye (pun intended - inspired by Peter!) that season it is.

gregbradley · #10 17-08-2021, 05:38 PM

Ah that looks better with nice coloured stars. That's an A grade image there and a high standard.

Greg.

DiscoDuck (Paul) · #11 17-08-2021, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Ah that looks better with nice coloured stars. That's an A grade image there and a high standard.

Greg.

Thanks Greg. And thanks again for catching the misstep.

gregbradley · #12 18-08-2021, 02:06 PM

Did you use the 1x1 bin 47mp mode or the 2x2 mode? I assume the 2x2 which is the default.

Greg.

DiscoDuck (Paul) · #13 18-08-2021, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Did you use the 1x1 bin 47mp mode or the 2x2 mode? I assume the 2x2 which is the default.

Greg.

Yes, 2x2. That gives a shade under 0.8" per pixel with my setup (RC8 with a 0.75x reducer down to 1200mm).