Helix Nebula

[desler]

Hey all,


It's been so long since I've been able to get out under the sky. Last night wasn't perfect, wind was up, 90% moon and the stars were twinkling, but hey, at least I got out there.

Had a few equipment issues, lost comms with the mount a couple of times and Maxim had to be restarted a couple of times to talk to the QHY8Pro properly. I'm not sure whether it was a software problem or possibly a usb conection failure. I also had some icing issues with the camera early on.

Managed 27 x 5 min subs of the Helix through a Pflat 4 and Light pollution Filter, of which IP used 20. Post processing and noise reduction in CS3. This is my first attempt at this target and I'm pretty happy with the result.

Comments / Tips / Criticism welcome.

Darren

Higher res http://www.pbase.com/desler/image/127696419/large.jpg

[mill (Martin)]

Looking good mate
Personally i find the back ground a bit too black and this target does a lot better with longer exposures.
But then again with this weather at the moment,beggers cant be choosers
Might get lucky tonight (not that kind of lucky ).
I see clear sky at the moment.

[danielsun]

Top work there Darren! I probably would have cropped the image a little to cut out the curvature on the sides but otherwise I think you have done very well.

Great work, Cheers Daniel.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Congratulations, a great first go.
Will you be adding to it as the season progresses?

[desler]

Thanks Martin, Daniel and JJJ.


It was nice to be out last night, and yes J, I hope to add to it tonight.

May even give 253 another go, Anyone know how to turn the moon down????


D

[AlexN]

That completely destroys my best attempt at the helix to date... No matter how I try, something always goes wrong when I point my telescope at Helix..

Top work D...

Alex.

[gregbradley]

That is a very nice Helix. It is a very dim target.

Greg.

[desler]

Thanks guys, I can't wait to have another go without the moon.. I'm having plenty of drama adding the next hour of data from the following night becuase of the gradient.

The learning curve continues.


Darren