M16

[Paul Haese]

This weekend I had the chance to gather some data on M16. Seeing conditions were a little ratty, but there is plenty of detail present in the image.

Still some noise present but I will get more subs next time.


click here

comments welcome.

[iceman (Mike)]

Nice smooth image with plenty of contrast. That's a fine image, Paul.

[RB (Andrew)]

Looks pretty good Paul.

[Craig_L]

Very nice Paul. You certainly have that rig humming.

[Hagar (Doug)]

Nice image Paul, Looks like the RC is working out very well.

[h0ughy (David)]

that RC must be OK - looks good to me

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Nice Paul. Although it still has plenty of inherent mechanical issues as sold, it seems that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. That looks like M16 to me... so it must be!

[Quark (Trevor)]

Another very nice image there Paul,

Just wondered how much impact the seeing has on long exposure low power imaging, such as you do compared with the effects of seeing on your planetary work?

Zoomed your image 200% and had a close look at a comparison with David Malin's image and there is a little more structure that I think you will get with longer subs.

How incredible is it, when an amateurs image taken with a DSLR on a 8" scope can be compared with images from the AAT and UK Schmidt.

The images you are producing with this rig must be great vindication of taking the chance with an untried product and being prepared to work through any of it's short comings, must be very satisfying.

Regards
Trevor

Regards
Trevor

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Guys,

Hey Trevor it is amazing, but when you look at images taken 12 years ago or more and compare it to modern technology images I am also always stunned at what is being achieved now.

I am really glad the telescope is working out, I like to adopt new technologies and new pieces of equipment. Yes I feel vindicated that I took a punt, but really someone has to do this; don't they?

[desler]

Paul,

You must be so excited about the RC's future prospects....

More subs and details simply make a very good image better, but don't distract from what you've posted, excellent result.

Darren

[AlexN]

Looks great Paul, I think with better seeing the stellar resolution will tighten up a little bit, some of those stars look a little chubby, however the detail in the nebulosity seems to indicate good focus...

Sttttiiillllll waiting on my focuser... Waiting for the digital focus system to become available.. at this rate im considering cancelling the order and going with the cheaper moonlite + high res stepper with a robo-focus controller.... I'll give it another week, if I don't hear that its on its way, then I'll be cancelling..

[Paul Haese]

Darren, certainly a lot of potential with this telescope. I am starting to reserach all the possible Galaxies to image with it. Also looking at planetaries too.

Alex, Wow that is a long wait for the focusor, it did take some time for me too but I think all up from contact to delivery was just over two weeks. Don't cancel if you can avoid it. The focusor is supreb and better than my Moonlite.

[Alchemy (Clive)]

you have the little RC producing some quite respectable results, focus going by the diffraction spikes looks really good, detail in the neb is good too, round stars indicate good tracking.

longer exposures might give more detail, but possibly at the risk of fatter stars, id go just more subs of the same length and use deconvolution to crank up the detail, once the data is super smooth, decon works a treat, if its noisy it will enhance the noise.

do you have to reject any subs or are you getting a 100% hit rate.... if so it will be interesting to see how long you can go and keep the tracking spot on.

i reckon with the modifications done you have a good rig, the next real test will be working on the faint obscure stuff, once again i will be watching with interest.


clive.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Clive, you could well be right about going longer on the subs. Hmm, Ok I will try for 10 minutes subs but say double of what I am getting now.

Generally I get a 100% hit rate on subs. I usually get a test sub first and then if I am happy with that I just set and check every now and then to ensure all is going well.

Agreed on the obscure stuff.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Nice one Paul, very vibrant.

Like others have said the scope (and mount...and oh man what a mount you have!) looks to be performing quite ok indeed

Mike

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Thanks Clive, you could well be right about going longer on the subs. Hmm, Ok I will try for 10 minutes subs but say double of what I am getting now.

Generally I get a 100% hit rate on subs. I usually get a test sub first and then if I am happy with that I just set and check every now and then to ensure all is going well.

Agreed on the obscure stuff.

the 10 min subs is for THIS image you may need longer on other objects or even shorter for brighter stuff..... i found out the hard way that 20 min subs on M8 doesnt work that well.

[jase (Jason)]

Looks pretty good to me Paul. The scope is delivering some very nice images. Good star colours and details on display. Well done.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Very nice. Good little scope indeed.

[prokyon (Werner Probst)]

Hi Paul,

very nice image! So many Details, very well done!

cheers

werner

[telecasterguru (Frank)]

Paul,

The RC looks to be working real good. I'm hanging out for the 10". Not long to go now I hope.

Frank