Another Eagle Nebula

[Matty P (Matt)]

This image has been taken with a Lightbuckets scope. This was just a little test run to see what kind of results I could get with Lightbucket scopes. And a way to get my hands on some data.

This is the first time I have processed RGB data, so it was a little daunting at the beginning. Wasn't really too sure what exactly I was doing but I was able to get a decent image in the end. The total exposure time is only 20 minutes of data. I am extremely amazed of what I was able to create with such little data. Nothing special but for such little data but it really shows how sensitive this setup is.

Lightbuckets 12.5" RCOS, Apogee Alta U16M, 8 mins for L unbinned, 4 minutes each for RGB binned 2x2. Each exposure was 2 minutes.

Images stacked in Deepskystacker and the rest processed in PS CS4.

Really would like a couple hours worth of data now.

Comments and critique will be much appreciated.

Thanks for looking.

[RobF (Rob)]

Not enough experience to offer critique, but on the comment side - WOW. Looks like you've pulled off the RGB processing pretty well to me Matty.

As you say, stunning sensitivity.
Are you sure its wise to be using a remote RC when you're having upgrade thoughts....!

[DavidU (Dave)]

Very very nice ! a few hours data would be a killa.
Not a bad scope setup

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by RobF

Not enough experience to offer critique, but on the comment side - WOW. Looks like you've pulled off the RGB processing pretty well to me Matty.

As you say, stunning sensitivity.
Are you sure its wise to be using a remote RC when you're having upgrade thoughts....!

Thanks Rob. Glad that it turned out. The raw luminance data is something else. Never seen such clarity in a raw image. And only 2 minute subs. I almost had a heart attack.

Not the best idea to have done this though. I'm saving up for an RCOS now.

I just updated the image to a different version.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by DavidU

Very very nice ! a few hours data would be a killa.
Not a bad scope setup

Cheers David. I'm already thinking about the next image session on one of these scopes.

[leon]

Nice going Matty, the detail looks pretty well spot on, you would have to be happy with that results, well done indeed.

Leon

[telecasterguru (Frank)]

Matt,

That is an amazing image for the time spent.

Frank

[Octane (Humayun)]

Matty,

Wowzers! That is incredible for such short exposures.

lol, prepare to be permanently broke!

Regards,
Humayun

[Matty P (Matt)]

Thanks guys. There is definitely more in this image. I think I will reprocess it later when there is a long spell of bad weather.

Humayun, I already am!!! lol

[renormalised (Carl)]

A really nice shot for such short exposure times!!. Lots of detail

Those black areas are really intense!!!. Maybe a bit too much black.

Oh...Matty, Matty, Matty.....RCOS very nice (especially over 20"), here's a few more places to wet the appetite

http://www.opticalmechanics.com/index.html

http://www.opticalguidancesystems.com/

http://www.eisci.com/

http://www.dfmengineering.com/index1.html

...and just to top things off...

http://www.planewaveinstruments.com/index.php

Surf and drool!!!!

[cookie8 (Vincent)]

Heaps of detail and tack sharp Matty. You can't be serious...20mins only??? Wow now I want a Lightbucket.

[Craig_L]

Well done Matt. Love those Lighbuckets. Beats freezing to death out in the backyard this time of year and trying to beat light pollution.

[DavidU (Dave)]

Matt,may I ask how much an hour for one of these scopes?

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by renormalised

A really nice shot for such short exposure times!!. Lots of detail

Those black areas are really intense!!!. Maybe a bit too much black.

Oh...Matty, Matty, Matty.....RCOS very nice (especially over 20"), here's a few more places to wet the appetite

http://www.opticalmechanics.com/index.html

http://www.opticalguidancesystems.com/

http://www.eisci.com/

http://www.dfmengineering.com/index1.html

...and just to top things off...

http://www.planewaveinstruments.com/index.php

Surf and drool!!!!

Yeah I do agree with you. Having another look at it. I think I went a little overboard with the levels. Will have another go at processing soon.

The things I would do to own one of those scopes. The Planewave scopes look very nice.

Originally Posted by cookie8

Heaps of detail and tack sharp Matty. You can't be serious...20mins only??? Wow now I want a Lightbucket.

I can only imagine how a couple of hours worth of exposure would turn out.

Originally Posted by Craig_L

Well done Matt. Love those Lighbuckets. Beats freezing to death out in the backyard this time of year and trying to beat light pollution.

Thanks Craig. A couple clicks of the mouse and you are away. The only tough bit of the process is waiting for the images.

Originally Posted by DavidU

Matt,may I ask how much an hour for one of these scopes?

Hi David,

It depends on which telescope you want to use. The 12.5" RCOS setup cost 30 points an hour. Which equates to about $30. Great value for money. The 24" RCOS costs 50 points an hour. Still great value.

Have a look at the website for more details. http://www.lightbuckets.com/

[Hagar (Doug)]

Nice Matty but light buckets will keep you poor.

Keep at it and do more with your own scope while you save for the RCOS and mount.

[Alchemy (Clive)]

why not use them for the extra detail.... go for it.

there goes the budget

[gregbradley]

Nice image for hardly any exposure. I never got to put my U16M on the RCOS 12.5 inch I had before I sold it but I thought it would be a good combo. Your image shows that.

That vertical black line that is showing is a hot pixel that forms a bright line in the readout process of the chip. A not so great characteristic of this series of chips.

It means:

1. Your camera was not cold enough - minus 25C would reduce that line a lot and -30 it would just about be gone.

2. Your darks/bias do not match your lights fully.

So not sure if you used darks and flats but if done accurately it should take that line out although they have a habit of staying in despite darks and flats. Best to run the camera as cold as you can although with the U16M if you target it to run colder than it can reach it will reset itself and go back to zero and then recool and the whole process takes nearly 30 minutes! Perhaps the temp is set by the Lightbuckets people.

There is an upgrade for the U16M which comes standard as the Alta D07 body. There is a DO9 body which will do -66C from ambient. This matches
FLI Proline and there is no substitute for strong cooling. Its a basic that knocks out a lot of the problems we have - noise, lines,hot pixels, artifacts and even ghost images from a previous exposure. You want a camera that does the basics super well as the foremost quality. Then making an image is a whole lot easier without tricky processing which never makes up for the fact of poorly done basics.

So when you are looking at buying a camera, rate its cooling ability as very important.

The current cameras rated by cooling are:

1. FLI (the market leaders with -65 in the Proline series and -55 or so in the Microline series). They take a few minutes to get there.
2. Apogee Alta DO9 bodied cameras -66 below ambient although they take 30 minutes or so to get there.
2. Apogee U8300 will do -50C below ambient.
3. Sbig STX series said to do -50C below ambient.
4. Sbig STL and ST series do about -40C below ambient (not really enough for an Aussie summer.

Not sure about the other brands like Starlight Express,QHY, QSI etc. You also need accurate regulation and I think Starlight Express and some others do not keep the temp within less than one degree variance.
When you consider most chips' noise doubles with every 6C temp increase less than 1 degree temp regulation becomes important.
Although these days adaptive darks software does a good job of matching mismatched lights and darks within reason.

If I were buying a high end CCD camera today I would lean towards FLI Proline (main problem is they are heavy) or Microline (these are light and still great cooling and low noise). Microline are cheaper than most of the competitors as well. STX would be good also once its proven itself bugfree. A lot of interesting features there.

I like my Apogee U16M but I love my FLI Microline.


Greg.