Skull Nebula, NGC 246

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

I have had no luck with the weather at Wiruna for months and months and months....
I had a small window last new moon and got SOME data in s..t seeing--about 3.5" FWHM.
So for what it's worth, here is the result. It looks OK from a distance, but I don't suggest looking too closely.
http://www.astrobin.com/265582/

It does look like an object that is worth pursuing, although the weather doesn't look as if it will be cooperating at Wiruna this new moon.


Scope: 12.5" Planewave
Camera: FLI 16803
Exposure: 5L, 3R, 2G, 2B all at 10min
FOV: 32' x 32'
Geoff

[glend (Glen)]

I have considered chasing the Skull but now seeing the size of it at your 2500mm focal length i think i will pass, my little 1250mm fl is not going to do it justice.
Btw it looks ok, your too critical me thinks.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Nothing wrong with that Geoff, looks quite ok to me....for some reason, this is one of those objects that has never excited me enough to bother imaging ..still, I enjoyed your result

Mike

[Atmos (Colin)]

That looks pretty good Geoff, better than my attempt about a year ago. A target that would probably benefit from better seeing for resolution but that's entirely out of your control!

[RickS (Rick)]

Looks good for so little data, Geoff. Hope you get some decent weather again soon!

Cheers,
Rick.

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by glend

I have considered chasing the Skull but now seeing the size of it at your 2500mm focal length i think i will pass, my little 1250mm fl is not going to do it justice.
Btw it looks ok, your too critical me thinks.

Thanks Glen. I think that 1250 focal length would be fine with good seeing.

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Nothing wrong with that Geoff, looks quite ok to me....for some reason, this is one of those objects that has never excited me enough to bother imaging ..still, I enjoyed your result

Mike

Thanks Michael. I guess PNs and nebulae don't suffer as much from bad seeing as galaxies do. Also, this object is pretty bright, so it's less critical to get good data.

Originally Posted by Atmos

That looks pretty good Geoff, better than my attempt about a year ago. A target that would probably benefit from better seeing for resolution but that's entirely out of your control!

Thanks Colin

Originally Posted by RickS

Looks good for so little data, Geoff. Hope you get some decent weather again soon!

Cheers,
Rick.

Thanks Rick. Good weather seems lke a distant memory

[SimmoW (SIMON)]

Gawd, that is a little fella! Nice work Geoff. Yeah this cloudy weather has been, and still is, sucky..

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Thanks Simon. Glad you like it.
Geoff

[gregbradley]

That's a beauty Geoff.

Greg.

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

That's good, Geoff. The detail is already there. It looks like it would reward more exposure on another occasion.

This winter would be a very bad one to try astrophotography as a new hobby. Money in, rainwater out.

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Nice skull nebula Geoff. Perhaps more data might improve it but there's certainly nothing wrong with the existing image.

Cheers

Steve

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

That's a beauty Geoff.

Greg.

Thanks Greg

Originally Posted by Placidus

That's good, Geoff. The detail is already there. It looks like it would reward more exposure on another occasion.

This winter would be a very bad one to try astrophotography as a new hobby. Money in, rainwater out.

Thanks Mike. Detail may be there but it's not really crisp is it?

Originally Posted by Stevec35

Nice skull nebula Geoff. Perhaps more data might improve it but there's certainly nothing wrong with the existing image.

Cheers

Steve

Thanks for the positive comment Steve. I'd certainly like to get sharper detail and a smoother sky.
Geoff

[Slawomir (Suavi)]

Nice work Geoff with such limited data.

There area already a few hints of distant galaxies present in your photo

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Slawomir

Nice work Geoff with such limited data.

There area already a few hints of distant galaxies present in your photo

Thanks Suavi. More exposure is definitely on the cards.
Geoff

[multiweb (Marc)]

That's a very good result considering the conditions. I hear you about the weather...

[topheart]

A good skull indeed!
Cheers,
Tim

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Thanks Marc and Tim. I got some better data on Friday night. Be interesting to see how much difference it makes.
Geoff