M27 cropped

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Shot with QHY8, 12 inch newt

While waiting for my spacers to arrive for the MPCC i shot M27 given its a small target it would fit into the centre of the image where coma isnt so bad, image cropped tightly as the rest didnt look so good.

Note M27 does not rise to even 30 degrees altitude here, so shooting through lots of atmosphere.

Spacers have now arrived so next images will be sharper.

For those that must have the info
20x 360 sec exposures shot over 2 nights.... lost most of first night due to fog
40 Dark Frames
20 Flats frames
20 Flat Darks frames
20 Bias frames

Median combined in Deep sky stacker.... was pleased to find it stacks and calibrates FITS files and even has a setting for the QHY8. Minor adjustments in photoshop. (curves , levels and saturation.)

[RB (Andrew)]

Looks fantastic here !
Colours are vibrant, stars nice and round, sky background smooth without clipping.

Well done indeed.

[Garyh]

Very nice Clive!
That is a nice dumbell for shooting through all the atmosphere...

[Ric]

Great image Clive, I like the details emerging in the outer shell and a nix mix of subtle and vibrant colours as well.

A very pleasing image to view.

Cheers

[Hagar (Doug)]

Nice image Clive, looks like you are well on the way. The 12" certainly pulls some detail for the camera to capture.

[jase (Jason)]

Good work Clive. Tough target at the best of times. Is there a reason why you didn't raise the black point?

EDIT: I think this is the first time I've seen someone post details of their calibration frames. Something I just take for granted... considering its the light frames that count. LOL.
Anyway, you may wish to check this flats analysis on the ADU, quantity to make a master - http://www.darkhorseobservatory.org/dark_horse_observatory_22oct07_021. htm
Point being, don't waste too much time going for "bucket loads" of calibration subs when the value returned is minimal.

[Gama]

Apart from focusing, the noise is near gone.. Its blendid very well, tried looking for some noise, but you have done well there.

Theo.

[leon]

Looks very much like an Opal, a real gem of an image.

Leon

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Originally Posted by jase

Good work Clive. Tough target at the best of times. Is there a reason why you didn't raise the black point?

EDIT: I think this is the first time I've seen someone post details of their calibration frames. Something I just take for granted... considering its the light frames that count. LOL.
Anyway, you may wish to check this flats analysis on the ADU, quantity to make a master - http://www.darkhorseobservatory.org/dark_horse_observatory_22oct07_021. htm
Point being, don't waste too much time going for "bucket loads" of calibration subs when the value returned is minimal.

The reason i didnt raise the black point was just personal, i thought it looked more natural that way..... each to their own i guess.(have played with it since your post and did an auto levels in photoshop......next time)

I put in the calibration subs as i have had a discussion with a number through PM about how many to use, figured more is better, put the info in more for those whom i have had discussions with, and it got a nice link from you which i will peruse after this post.

i am willing to try /experiment to see if i can improve my images rather than just settle for OK. Some times it helps ....... and sometimes it doesnt, its all worth a try.

As always thanks for your input jase.


Leon, Gama, Hagar, Ric, GaryH, RB, Thanks for your kind comments.

[Tamtarn]

A great rendition of M27 good colour and very smooth background

Looks like the 12" and the QHY8 are going to be a very nice combo Clive.

[EzyStyles (Eric)]

great shot clive. very nice M27 . i can't seem to send you a pm ?

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Originally Posted by EzyStyles

great shot clive. very nice M27 . i can't seem to send you a pm ?

sorry eric ive turned it off, as i am only going to be spasmodically around (want to spend more time imaging) will send you my email.

[iceman (Mike)]

That's a beautiful image, Clive. Lovely work.