M83 Southern Pinwheel

[carlstronomy (Carl)]

Hello to all,

It has been a while as the skies in Brisbane have not been super. I would like to share my M83 with you all it is a work in progress with eight hours of data (My first image over 5 hours)
I am thinking of taking more but not sure if is really going to give me much more to look at (someone with more experience with this subject may have some advice here).

Image details
122 x 240 sec lights ISO800
44 x 240 sec darks ISO800
30 Bias ISO800
20 Flats ISO800

C9.25, 6.3 Meade Reducer, Modded 450D

Data taken over 4 nights, stacked in DSS and cleaned up in PS.

Comments and advice always welcome.

Thanks for looking

Carl

[lazjen (Chris)]

Looks good to me. Over 5 hours, phew - here I am tonight having another go at M83 with 300 sec subs. I think I'll be lucky to have 15 since I feel the moon is intruding a bit.

[raymo]

Beautiful.
raymo

[acarleton (Aidan)]

That is fantastic. great job

[carlstronomy (Carl)]

Thanks guys very much appreciated.

Chris, the moons coming up a bit later now I took 26 images on Saturday night they were brighter than before the full moon but still usable with a nice set of flats. (With our weather at the moment take the opportunity when it shows itself)

Carl

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

When you get a result like that, it makes it all worthwhile.

[lazjen (Chris)]

Carl, you inspired me to keep going for longer, so I've got 25 or 26 images to process as well. I'm not sure if adding the 120 sec exposures from the other night will help or not. I'll see what happens.

[kosh]

Very nice Carl. Good details and looks pretty clean.

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Beautiful image Carl. I think you're at the point of diminishing returns if you go longer. It's about right as it is.

[codemonkey (Lee)]

That's awesome.

[GC - South Aus]

Carl

That is excellent work with the C9.25 for DSO imaging. Well done!

Based on your results it looks like the Meade 6.3 focal reducer maybe a worthwhile investment for me, as I have only been using my C9.25 for planetary work.

Keep them coming!

Regards

Gav

[carlstronomy (Carl)]

Thanks for all you kind feedback everyone.

Kevin thanks and as I suspected. I did notice that my last night of imaging brought out some extra clarity in the center but not a great lot of detail. I think what I have is the best I can get with my equipment and experience level.

Time to move onto a new subject I will have to decide what that will be before night fall as the skies are looking good yet again if this afternoon breeze goes away

Carl

[carlstronomy (Carl)]

Originally Posted by GC - South Aus

Carl

That is excellent work with the C9.25 for DSO imaging. Well done!

Based on your results it looks like the Meade 6.3 focal reducer maybe a worthwhile investment for me, as I have only been using my C9.25 for planetary work.

Keep them coming!

Regards

Gav

Gav,

If you can try for the Celestron 6.3x reducer especially if you are using a Canon for DS imaging it is well worth it. I had a lot of trouble reaching prime focus and had to purchase a stubby adapter to get my camera close enough to the mirror. There are some old threads on this but keeping the image trains Meade - Meade and Celestron - Celestron really does make a big difference at the end of the day. The Meade ones are cheaper and easier to buy second hand and Bintel sell a stubby adapter if you go that way.

Carl