Eagle Nebula #3

[Matty P (Matt)]

Here is just over an hours worth of data on the Eagle Nebula taken over two nights the 27th of June and 3rd of July.

I had many problems with the laptop's AC adapter that kept cutting out making the laptop hibernate or completely turn off. Meaning that I needed to setup PHD and the camera control software a couple of times.

14 x 5 minute subs at ISO 400
ICNR darks
Canon 450D through C8 f/6.3 on EQ6 Pro
Guided with 70mm refractor and DMK with PHD

Thanks for looking.

[StephenM (Stephen)]

Great shot Matty! Well done.Cheers,Stephen

[TrevorW]

Impressive how long have you been taking photo's like this

Regards

[renormalised (Carl)]

Nice shot, Matt

Detail in the neb is good

Your tracking was very good...nice round stars right across the FoV.

[AlexN]

good improvement over #2 there.. much more nebulosity showing through and the pilars coming out strong.

Nice shot indeed!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Great work!

[Matty P (Matt)]

Thanks for the comments.

[RB (Andrew)]

Well done Matt, go get 'em dude........

How come your AC P/S kept cutting out?
Was it getting wet from the dew?

Didn't the battery take over?

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by RB

Well done Matt, go get 'em dude........

How come your AC P/S kept cutting out?
Was it getting wet from the dew?

Didn't the battery take over?

Thanks Andrew,

The laptop's AC adapter just started randomly cutting out, probably because it is faulty. The battery did take over but because it is a few years old and hardly has enough charge to power the lappy long enough.

I have a new AC adapter in the mail, so it is no problem.

[sjastro]

Very fine image Matt.

Steven

[Ric]

Very nice Matty, the pillars have come up wonderfully and the tracking looks great as well.

A fine effort

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

That's a great shot Matty. There are people who have been trying for longer than you and haven't achieved that level of quality.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Thankyou very much for your kind words.

[renormalised (Carl)]

When's #4 on the menu?!!

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by renormalised

When's #4 on the menu?!!

When I get some clear skies.

I'm hoping to image the Triffid Nebula or M83 next imaging session.

[AlexN]

Matty - From what I've read, M83 is a difficult target to photograph... If you're after a challenge, it might be the better pic of the two.. However, if your after another great photo using relatively similar technique to to what you've already done in M16, then M20 probably provides a better chance...

[renormalised (Carl)]

Yes, M83 can be hard to capture.....bright overall but low surface brightness because of its dimensions.

What you need to do is save some money and come up my way for a weekend of observing. The skies have been great the last few days

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by AlexN

Matty - From what I've read, M83 is a difficult target to photograph... If you're after a challenge, it might be the better pic of the two.. However, if your after another great photo using relatively similar technique to to what you've already done in M16, then M20 probably provides a better chance...

I have to agree with you Alex and RN. I have only attempted to image M83 once before but that was when I was using a Alt-Az mount. It is definitely a tough target but I'm always up for a challenge and M83 is one of my favourite galaxies. So I think it will my first choice over M20.
Maybe both in one night?

[renormalised (Carl)]

You want about 15-20 10 minute integrations (subs) for a total of about 2.5-3 hours of total imaging time, and then do your usual processing. That should bring it out very well. Hopefully you'll get a clear enough window to be able to do that.

You know, once you've got your filter wheel and filters, you'll be able to do all of this on your DMK

[AlexN]

Yep.. M83 would make a lovely image thats for sure... Just hope your alignment is good enough to handle the long exposures and the weather holds out for you!

I'll be watching the forums for your images Matty...