I tried this beautiful nebula 2 years ago and very much wanted to have a 2nd chance, especially after viewing Adam Block's very high resolution image. While I have not succeeded in getting what he did from a much larger aperture it certainly is hopefully a better effort than my first.
As usual I imaged simultaneously with both TEC refractors. I took a lot of Ha data but didn't end up using too much....mostly just a bit for the dust clouds across the bottom of the frame.
TEC180 G2-8300 Luminance 56 x 240 sec = 3.73 hours (Astronomik CLS)
Ha 34 x 480 sec = 4.5 hours
TEC140 Trius R 53 x 4 min = 3.53 hours
G 43 x 4 min = 2.86 hours
B 45 x 4 min = 3.0 hours
Thanks for all of the kind words, everyone. Much appreciated!
Yes, my dual scope setup is finally working more smoothly these days primarily due to automatic focusing through Optec's FocusLock and twin ONAGs. Slewing away to focus two cameras regularly is fraught with problems especially if any automation is involved. BTW, Optec has just announced "Lacerta" which allows FocusLock to be used without an ONAG. The current version works with a Lodestar. Other cameras are in the works.
very nice - the reflection nebula looks a little bit like the Plejades.
Markus
Thank you Greg, Ross, and Markus.
I added a slightly different version to Astrobin after a bit of a green/red gradient was noticed. I hope I improved it but have to admit that I find that particular shade of green hard to see for some reason. I know I'm not colour blind....
Imaging with light pollution is always tricky...even with bright subjects, though less so. I'm more anxious than ever to put my nice gear to work at a dark site. The question is how to do it logistically and affordably. At least with the gear close at hand I can learn and try to solve problems!
Mike & Trish, re the striations I have to say I was greatly impressed by Adam Block's rather recent APOD of the Running Man. His detail in blue is super. I didn't get there but then I don't have a 30" scope in dark sky either.
