IC 4603 - Crikey, 4 hrs exposure and I only got this?

[Andy01 (Andy)]

Hi folks,

Feeling somewhat deflated and depressed.

Clear nights here in Melbourne are rare as hen's teeth in winter, and we had a bit of a break last weekend so I was finally able to get out and go imaging. I've been looking forward to having a crack at IC 4603 as there have been some amazing widefield images taken of this region, but it's a rarer solo target.

Unfortunately, as luck would have it, on Sunday night my subject disappeared behind the newly built house next door around 1am, so I was only able to get around 2 1/2 hrs data. The next night I tried to get more but after 90 mins or so the clouds rolled in and that was that!

I'm disappointed because after spending 4 hrs on this thing it's still (expletive deleted) dim. Moody? Yes, but looks like it needs another 8hrs worth. Maybe it's just not a realistic target for my current OSC setup.

I have a QSI 683 wsg8 on order, so maybe I'll have more luck with that when it arrives.

Some days you're the rooster and somedays you're the feather duster I guess, Meh

Thanks for looking anyway.

Cheers
Andy

[tilbrook@rbe.ne (Justin Tilbrook)]

Originally Posted by Andy01

Hi folks,

Feeling somewhat deflated and depressed.

Clear nights here in Melbourne are rare as hen's teeth in winter, and we had a bit of a break last weekend so I was finally able to get out and go imaging. I've been looking forward to having a crack at IC 4603 as there have been some amazing widefield images taken of this region, but it's a rarer solo target.

Unfortunately, as luck would have it, on Sunday night my subject disappeared behind the newly built house next door around 1am, so I was only able to get around 2 1/2 hrs data. The next night I tried to get more but after 90 mins or so the clouds rolled in and that was that!

I'm disappointed because after spending 4 hrs on this thing it's still (expletive deleted) dim. Moody? Yes, but looks like it needs another 8hrs worth. Maybe it's just not a realistic target for my current OSC setup.

I have a QSI 683 wsg8 on order, so maybe I'll have more luck with that when it arrives.

Some days you're the rooster and somedays you're the feather duster I guess, Meh

Thanks for looking anyway.

Cheers
Andy

It's a faint one that's for sure!

Nice work though Andy especially from Melbourne.

Love your rooster comment!

Cheers,

Justin.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

It's a faint one alright. Just keep adding to it and eventually the noise will go away and the detail will pop out.

[RickS (Rick)]

If it helps, I'm still struggling to pull a decent halo out of IC 5148 after 38 hours of OIII. There's always someone with a bigger whinge

[Rod771 (Rod)]

Don't be too hard on yourself Andy IC 4603 would be a very big challenge imaged from the city or suburbs. I imaged it at IISAC this year and even at a dark site like Lostock the subs were coming up very faint.

It can be done with a OSC ,however a dark site and lots of integration time would help. Just make sure Antares doesn't photo bomb your field with streaks and reflections

Here's a three minute sub from IISAC, even taken with the Hyperstar at F2 it's very dim.

Keep at it

[Andy01 (Andy)]

Originally Posted by tilbrook@rbe.ne

It's a faint one that's for sure!

Nice work though Andy especially from Melbourne.

Love your rooster comment!

Cheers,

Justin.

Thanks Justin, glad you saw the humour in the situation

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

It's a faint one alright. Just keep adding to it and eventually the noise will go away and the detail will pop out.

Thanks JJJ, I'm not known for my patience at this time of the year, but perseverence will pay off in the end...

Originally Posted by RickS

If it helps, I'm still struggling to pull a decent halo out of IC 5148 after 38 hours of OIII. There's always someone with a bigger whinge

Thanks for putting some perspective on this Rick, I'll pull my head in now

Originally Posted by Rod771

Don't be too hard on yourself Andy IC 4603 would be a very big challenge imaged from the city or suburbs. I imaged it at IISAC this year and even at a dark site like Lostock the subs were coming up very faint.

It can be done with a OSC ,however a dark site and lots of integration time would help. Just make sure Antares doesn't photo bomb your field with streaks and reflections

Here's a three minute sub from IISAC, even taken with the Hyperstar at F2 it's very dim.

Keep at it

Hey Rod, mmmm Hyperstar f2 now you're talking

Cheers everyone, really appreciate your support and comments.

Andy

[Paul Haese]

Sub length will be an issue for you. How long are your subs? Are you using a light pollution filter?

When I did this a couple of years back I was doing 10 minute subs and those were not long enough for a 4" refractor.

[Andy01 (Andy)]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Sub length will be an issue for you. How long are your subs? Are you using a light pollution filter?

When I did this a couple of years back I was doing 10 minute subs and those were not long enough for a 4" refractor.

Hi Paul, thanks for your response

Yes, 24 x 10 min subs with Hutech IDAS LP filter. Not sure my EQ-6 will hold up to longer subs but open to suggestions.

I suspect though, that shooting LRGB from a dark site will be the go when my new camera arrives. (QSI 683 WSG8).

Cheers
Andy

[Paul Haese]

Originally Posted by Andy01

Hi Paul, thanks for your response

Yes, 24 x 10 min subs with Hutech IDAS LP filter. Not sure my EQ-6 will hold up to longer subs but open to suggestions.

I suspect though, that shooting LRGB from a dark site will be the go when my new camera arrives. (QSI 683 WSG8).

Cheers
Andy

You will be surprised. Peter.M does 30 minute subs with his EQ5 and he gets nice round stars. PA is important, but you EQ6 will most likely give similar responses.