Lagoon and Trifid AP140/U16M

[gregbradley]

On a night of very nice seeing.

AP140 at F7.5, Apogee U16M camera, Astrodon 5nm Ha filter, Astronomik LRGB filters.

Ha LRGB 30 30 30 30 30 .

http://www.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/99959983/large

Greg.

[Tilt (Michael)]

Very nice Greg.

The fine detail is just sensational.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Sharp as Greg, and no noise, excellent for the short exposure times, seems the seeing was exceptional.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Excellent image Greg.

Very smooth and lots of fine detail. Very well done.

[jase (Jason)]

Get a better website Greg so you can display the images at the resolution you want - object framing is too tight - need some space (literally) around the edges. This aside, the image is very pleasing. Though I'm not sure how flat the field truly is. The stars in the cluster within the lagoon would appear elongated, but other parts of the image are sharp. Has the AP meet its match in terms of the 16803 chip...perhaps? The fov is remarkable. Really impressive.

[iceman (Mike)]

Interesting framing.. so much nebulosity!

Is the chip square on this new camera?

[gregbradley]

Yes its a square chip.

I framed it this way to get the Trifid in the shot. I agree its not all that pleasing as a framing. Sometimes those framings come off though like with M42 and the Horsehead.

No the AP is fine (of course, gee whiz, was that taking the name of AP in vain?) as I have taken images before with this in narrowband and they were all great. I think I got a bit of field rotation or perhaps flexure. External guide camera. I wonder also if it could be the filters as they are not tight in their housings with just a bit of electrical tape and foam holding them in. I remember Mike making a comment about some filters in a rig he had once being loose and causing problems like that? The AP should have a 100mm corrected illuminated circle and Roland Christian doesn't exagerrate.

Rotation though is the most likely culprit. As some images have everything everywhere sharp. I'll check again. There was also a bit of wind so not sure if that could have played a part.

It may be time for an ME.

Greg.

[montewilson (Monte)]

Nice work - where was it taken?

I'll be putting my latest attempt at this object up soon.

[skeltz (Rob)]

A nice image greg,just a few gremlins to sort out,don,t worry i have my share of them too!!
cheers

[gregbradley]

Hi Monte,

Thanks,

It was taken at my dark site which is 150kms due west of Sydney (actually Campbelltown).

I have built a weekender and an observatory there. I may make it remotely operated next year for myself (not for hire).

Greg.

Originally Posted by montewilson

Nice work - where was it taken?

I'll be putting my latest attempt at this object up soon.

[Ric]

A fine image Greg, very sharp and detailed and the colour is very natural and well balanced.

Top stuff.

[h0ughy (David)]

Gee if you have the gear, you certainly can get a nice result. Very impressive

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

It may be time for an ME.

Greg.

No way, the NJP is every bit as good at tracking as a PME may be even better especially for just 1200mm FL. The only advantage of the PME is it's dedication to automation and greater load carrying capacity (The NJP is more than adequate for the AP though). PemPro etc just add perfection to the PME I guess...ok ok maybe the PME is a better mount but the NJP is still a corker as far as I am concerned.

Agree, the framing is perhaps not ideal but a very cool image none the less

Mike

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by montewilson

I'll be putting my latest attempt at this object up soon.

Oooooh exciting should be a ripper

Mike

[gregbradley]

Hi Mike,

Very timely.

The NJP is a great mount and I really like its user friendliness and simplicity.

The ME would be good though longer term as I am thinking of ultimately automating my dark site so I can remote image from home. More of a long term project as I would have to install solar power and get a hard landline setup which is all doable but not immediately.

Perhaps I'll get a FLI Microline 8300 instead heehehe. It would give more galaxy imaging ability to my new scope lineups.

Greg.


quote=strongmanmike;346473]No way, the NJP is every bit as good at tracking as a PME may be even better especially for just 1200mm FL. The only advantage of the PME is it's dedication to automation and greater load carrying capacity (The NJP is more than adequate for the AP though). PemPro etc just add perfection to the PME I guess...ok ok maybe the PME is a better mount but the NJP is still a corker as far as I am concerned.

Agree, the framing is perhaps not ideal but a very cool image none the less

Mike[/quote]