LMC and 2070 with Atik 11002M and FSQ106ED

[Hagar (Doug)]

Last night was another ripper night. I decided to image LMC in all it's glory. Being very tired from a couple of almost all night sessions I gave it away at about 2 am when I had to do a meridian flip.
I managed 5 X 5 minute exposures of each LRGB and 2 X Ha and 10 X 5 min darks all captured at -20 degrees C.

When I started imaging I couldn't get the temp down so I connected up the water works and it fell down to -20 and sat there nicely.

I blended the Ha into the R channel and the Lum Channel then returned it all to CCDStack to combine all my final masters. (I love this program)

Details:
Camera: Atik 11002M Mono
Filters: Baader LRGB and Ha
Telescope: Takahashi FSQ 106ED at F5
Exposures: 10 X 5 min Darks, 5 X Flats for each filter, 5X 5minute each LRGB and 2 X 5 min Ha.

Comments welcomed.

Hi Res version at http://www.darkskyau.com/cm/displayi...292&fullsize=1 2.5 MB

[multiweb (Marc)]

That's a top shot. I didn't realise the FSQ field was that big at F/5 even without a reducer. Nice.

[DavidU (Dave)]

That's a ripper Doug ! Nice wide view, great nebs. It must be nice to have such dark sky's.

[desler]

Spectacular Doug, The field of view just blows me away!

Darren

[zipdrive (Dave)]

I love this FOV

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

That's excellent Doug

Nicely processed,

A minor thing is there a slight defocusing moving from right to left..?

How much does that look like Barnards Galaxy but just closer?

Mike

[Hagar (Doug)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

That's a top shot. I didn't realise the FSQ field was that big at F/5 even without a reducer. Nice.

Thanks Marc, yes it's a big field even bigger if I use the f3.4 with the reducer fitted.

Originally Posted by DavidU

That's a ripper Doug ! Nice wide view, great nebs. It must be nice to have such dark sky's.

Thanks David, I am lucky wwith the dark skies although I do suffer from a lot of thermal aberations and Alpine wind overhead while it is quite still down here in the valley.

Originally Posted by desler

Spectacular Doug, The field of view just blows me away!

Darren

Thanks Darren

Originally Posted by zipdrive

I love this FOV

Thanks

[Hagar (Doug)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

That's excellent Doug

Nicely processed,

A minor thing is there a slight defocusing moving from right to left..?

How much does that look like Barnards Galaxy but just closer?

Mike

Thanks Mike I had noticed the focus shift when the mask is in place but can't put my finger on the culprit. Everything is bolted together. The camera seems fine. Collimation is a tad out so maybe, well who knows.
Some thing to work on.

[mill (Martin)]

Excellent picture Doug
Where did you get the good weather from ?
Here it is clouded most of the time

[allan gould]

Nice one Doug - have to love that Tak

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Nicely done Doug. I would be tempted to try shadow - highlights on the Tarantula so it's not so burnt out. Other than that it looks great.

Cheers

Steve

[Hagar (Doug)]

Originally Posted by mill

Excellent picture Doug
Where did you get the good weather from ?
Here it is clouded most of the time

Thanks Marty, The weather has been very good for the last week or two but we now suffer from thermal turbulance from the surrounding hills. I guess I should be happy anyway.

Originally Posted by allan gould

Nice one Doug - have to love that Tak

Thanks Allan, yes the Tak is a fabulous scope, a real keeper.

Originally Posted by Stevec35

Nicely done Doug. I would be tempted to try shadow - highlights on the Tarantula so it's not so burnt out. Other than that it looks great.

Cheers

Steve

Thanks Steve, I will give that a try. I did use them originally but could maybe use a bit more or some selective work.