Saturn Nebula

Ric · #1 26-10-2006, 10:55 AM

Hi all, I imaged this one of the Saturn Nebula on Monday night

but only just got around to finishing off the processing.

This was taken with LX200R 12" and the DSI II Pro in Alt/Az mode.
the images are:
30 x 30 seconds in Lum
15 each of 30 seconds in RGB
processed in Maxim

cheers

rogerg (Roger) · #2 26-10-2006, 11:07 AM

ahh, I have never got around to taking a shot of this guy. Shame he's a bit burnt out in your image but I expect the slight blue colour is representitive of his colouring?

12" LX200R.... didn't realise you had one of them, nice - very nice. For some reason I msut've never read it :-) I look forward to more narrow field shots like this from your setup. I bet you need that F/3.3 to get the pixel size down, I'm at F/10 I guess it's around 3m focal length.. same problem as my 12" LX classic.

Roger.

Ric · #3 26-10-2006, 11:20 AM

Hi Roger, I have only really been imaging for 5 months now since purchasing the "R" so I am still experimenting with exposure times etc. I have found that the f3.3 really helps with imaging but there is still a lot more steps in the learning curve for me at the moment.
I'll be looking forward to re-imaging the same objects in 12 months with darker skies, more knowledge and comparing the differences.

cheers

Gama · #4 26-10-2006, 02:21 PM

It is a little over exposed, try again and use a smaller exposure. Try around 1 to 5 seconds, then just stack them.
This will bring up the core and show the twists inside.

Ric · #5 26-10-2006, 04:34 PM

Thanks for the advice Gama, I'm hoping to get out tonight for a session so I will try your suggestion.

cheers

richardo (Rich) · #6 26-10-2006, 07:24 PM

Hi Ric,
this is by no means an easy target at all.
Especially for uncooled cameras.
I hadn't imaged this one for a couple of years now, but remember I had to find a custom curve in Maximdl to get any sort of detail out of the core.
I think to simply stretch the image in say PS you'd probably find things tend to blow out. I was never happy with my image due to a heap of factors, equipment at the time being my down fall.
So I've generally passed this little mother by when in search of new targets.
Here's a link to my old image if your interested... excuse the trailing.
http://www.baytop-observatory.com/cc...%20new%201.jpg

All the best and hope you get it nailed.

Cheers
Rich

Ric · #7 27-10-2006, 12:09 AM

Hi Rich, I must agree, this is certainly a tough little nut to crack. If I can get an image that come close to yours I think I'll be quite happy.
I was having another go tonight and experimenting with shorter exposure times but the clouds rolled in and put a stop to that before I could really get started.

cheers

Gama · #8 27-10-2006, 02:32 AM

I took this image as i described earlier, but i used short 0.2 seconds exposures, and then stacked.. Total exposure time was around 5 seconds.
Trial and error is the only way..

jase (Jason) · #9 27-10-2006, 08:25 AM

Indeed a difficult object to image or at least get any detail out of it. Great work by all.

Striker (Tony) · #10 27-10-2006, 11:05 AM

Well done Ric and Gama...just shows that long exposures are not always the way to go.

I did this target a few months ago and looked just like yours Ric....

Ric · #11 27-10-2006, 11:25 AM

Thats a nice image Gama, great work.
If it's a good night tonight I'll have another go at this little cookie.

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement, this is what makes this group so good.

atalas · #12 30-10-2006, 11:20 PM

Nice capture Ric !