Eta Carina

Peter Ward · #1 30-05-2009, 12:17 AM

Not exactly a re-pro, as I have added new data.

This image proved to be quite a challenge, not just due to the vast focal length involved (hence the trashing of a fair bit of data) but also trying to preserve the colours over such a large dynamic range without resorting to a bland high-key like lighting.

Most of the data was captured with CCDops, then the usual reduction steps (darks, flats, stacking and scaling) in MaxIm. PS4 was used
for the final layering and colour balance.

http://www.atscope.com.au/BRO/gallery41.html

desler · #2 30-05-2009, 01:56 AM

I really don't know what to say Peter. Almost gave me whiplash when the page loaded, absolutely stunning!

Darren

Liz · #3 30-05-2009, 02:18 AM

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!
That is one of the most beautiful pictures I have seen of Eta Carina.
Thank you Peter

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #4 30-05-2009, 07:28 AM

Amazing image Peter.

jase (Jason) · #5 30-05-2009, 08:06 AM

Looks good Peter. Trashing data is all part of the activity when imaging at these long focal lengths. This is probably the time where I say "A most excellent image, blah, blah" and it is, however Eta's, Eta. Its getting long in the tooth IMO. How about pushing your rig to other targets instead of the same or bright ones.

Hagar (Doug) · #6 30-05-2009, 09:30 AM

Lovely Peter. The detail is something else. Looks to be well worth the effort.

TrevorW · #7 30-05-2009, 09:32 AM

Superb as usual

scopemankit (Chris) · #8 30-05-2009, 09:34 AM

What an image!!!

RobF (Rob) · #9 30-05-2009, 09:53 AM

Wow. Beautiful pic and stunning detail. That really is serious FL work to see the homonculus like that.
What was the focal length BTW Peter?

AlexN · #10 30-05-2009, 10:01 AM

Insanely good quality image Peter. The resolution looks stunning, with detail popping out everywhere, great colours and depth..

I'm with Jase a bit though... For an imager such as yourself, tackling some of the rarely seen targets may be more of a challenge than something like Eta Carine, which every hack like myself takes on every time it comes around.. This is not taking anything away from your fantastic image.. Just that with 14.25" of aperture and focal length like whats been used here, there are some very interesting, extremely distant galaxies that might be a real challenge!

Peter Ward · #11 30-05-2009, 10:39 AM

Thanks one and all for your feedback. FYI the focal length was around 5 metres

Quote:

Originally Posted by jase

Looks good Peter. ........ Eta's, Eta. Its getting long in the tooth IMO.......

Too true Jase, but I'd been working on it for a while, with the aim of capturing the homonculus which is so often depicted as a burnt out blob.....more the pity as it is a really interesting object through the eyepiece.

RB (Andrew) · #12 30-05-2009, 11:24 AM

Just when you think - "it can't get any better......."

Beautiful work Peter. !!!

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #13 30-05-2009, 02:22 PM

Oh my!

That is sensational Peter, certainly not, "just another Eta Carinae" The amount of detail and the framing is astonishingly good.

I have seen pics of the Homonculus before, but not like that!

Wow.

Cheers

Chris

ejcruz (Eddie) · #14 30-05-2009, 04:00 PM

Stunning image of ETA lots of details, looks great on both my LCD and CRT.

Cheers
Eddie

multiweb (Marc) · #15 30-05-2009, 05:22 PM

Never get tired of the keyhole. Great stuff. I already had the previous shot you did on my desktop. I'm trying to image the same thing and I use it as reference to check what my blurry bits look like in real life

. The bar was high enough. I'm gonna have to start running harder with this one now

Great shot

Getting better and better.

Peter Ward · #16 30-05-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by multiweb

.... I already had the previous shot you did on my desktop. ......

What? You guys actually keep this stuff??

The KAF 11002 chip has its limitations, hence I'm rather looking forward to getting a higher QE camera...say based on a KAF 16803?

gregbradley · #17 31-05-2009, 06:27 PM

Wow, Peter, that is stunningly good. Superb.

Greg.

RobF (Rob) · #18 31-05-2009, 07:22 PM

What's really scarey is comparing this shot to the Hubble, and how much of the detail, dark nebulosity, and "blobs" are visible in Mr Ward's

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...e_Nebula_1.jpg

Peter Ward · #19 31-05-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobF

What's really scarey is comparing this shot to the Hubble......

Now that's a very risky practice!

Suffice to say the Hubble data is in a totally different league, and different palette/filter set.

Thanks to Marc, Greg, Eddie, Chris. I'm glad you enjoy seeing this stuff.

telecasterguru (Frank) · #20 31-05-2009, 09:41 PM

Wonderful image Peter. I may have missed it but how much data is there in the image?

Thanks
Frank