Been trying for a while to get some good data on the Devil's Mask and associated galaxies. Seeing has been variable, but managed to scrape together enough snippets of reasonable seeing to make an image of this very interesting group. The native FWHM after stacking was about 2.6 arcsec, but that was reduced to about 2 with deconvolution (before ringing became too annoying) - colour was taken in poorer seeing and came in at about 3.5 arc sec. It's not particularly high resolution, but I will gratefully take whatever I can get this winter .
Bottom of frame, centre and slightly to the right, there is a little cluster of stuff going on. Little galaxy group maybe but quite compact. Would be interesting to see whats tucked in there.
Bottom of frame, centre and slightly to the right, there is a little cluster of stuff going on. Little galaxy group maybe but quite compact. Would be interesting to see whats tucked in there.
Thanks David. I seem to have cropped it off, but will reprocess that bit and repost. agree, it looks interesting.
Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
Very nice result Ray, this is maybe my favourite galaxy field
As I have said before a fast Newt with a mighty little SX can punch above its weight
Mike
Thanks Mike. Your image of this group has far more detail, but it was nice to get a result anyway. Agree, this area is very attractive. The more I use the SX, the less I think about it - it just works really well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RickS
Looks great to me too, Ray!
I'm getting galaxy withdrawal symptoms. All I have is narrowband to play with this year. Hoping for a clear new moon at last in August and September.
Cheers,
Rick.
thanks Rick. Yep, we need more ultra-deep galaxy shots - hope you get clear skies. tried out an alternative flat processing method on this and it worked really well - no noise at all from the flats.
Thanks Mike. Your image of this group has far more detail, but it was nice to get a result anyway. Agree, this area is very attractive. The more I use the SX, the less I think about it - it just works really well.
Dono about "far more" but I agree the SX camera is a fantastic piece of kit
Another amazing image there Ray! Very clean and smooth.
SX state that there's no need to take dark frames for some of their camera's, do you take them for your H694?
Hi Rod, I have the SXH694 and haven't used a single dark (or flat for that matter) in over 12 months of use. The no flats is due mainly to the fully illuminated field of my OO AG12 of course and the evenness of sensitivity across the 694 chip is also very helpful
This is really spectacular Ray--one of the best amateur renditions of this pair that I've seen.
Geoff
very generous comment - thanks Geoff.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rod771
Another amazing image there Ray! Very clean and smooth.
SX state that there's no need to take dark frames for some of their camera's, do you take them for your H694?
thanks Rod. I have used darks for narrowband, but for this image, used no darks and a synthetic flat along with dither - the noise was much low, but I have not yet measured it for this method of calibration. In answer to your question, calibration really is optional with these chips and, unless done properly, it is better not to use any - just need to dither the subs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley
A fabulous image Ray. What a great set of galaxies. I take it those 3 main ones are interacting or at least 2 of them are?
Greg.
Thank you Greg. My understanding is that all 5 major galaxies in the field are possibly close enough to interact - there is a bridge between the primary pair and the close by edge on with the box shaped bulge.
I really like your composition on this Ray. Nice colour too. Detail also looks good. After I do the current planned project with the RC12 and if time permits I should have a go at these galaxies.
I really like your composition on this Ray. Nice colour too. Detail also looks good. After I do the current planned project with the RC12 and if time permits I should have a go at these galaxies.
thanks Paul. Look forward to seeing your interpretation of this region - it is really interesting.
.
but I agree the SX camera is a fantastic piece of kit 
