NGC346 in SMC with SN10

[avandonk]

Had a bit of clear sky to get 5x4min at 400 ISO at ambient. Clouds then ruined any chance of longer exposures. I processed the five images any way and this is the result.

Full res 1.4MB
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~avandonk1/ngc346.jpg

I need to drift align with the SN10 as there is a bit of drft. The main thing is the Paracorr PLU-1106 corrects the SN10 very well even for a full frame. I seached the web and could not find any reference to SN scopes and Paracorrs. There is a bit of vignetting at the corners but this is due to the size of the secondary mirror. I have worked out how to fit the fridge to the SN10 and it will be a real beast for the poor old EQ6 to carry. If I can get this sort of result with only four minute subs of quite dim objects this setup will get very good data when the clouds finally go south for the summer.

Bert

[jase (Jason)]

Nice work on this target Bert. The SMC has plenty of targets, all very intriguing. I notice a cyan/green to NGC346. This is not something I picked up in the mosaic I put together some time ago (here). Though, I did end up integrating some Ha data into the final image for further enhancement. This may have "polluted" the true RGB characteristics. A similar effect to producing LRGB images - as you increase the luminance contrast, colours become washed out. In reflection, I perhaps should have used a mask to managed the colour. Your rendition is perhaps more "realistic" in colour.

The SN10 with Paracorr looks like it delivers. As you imply, a new mount could be the answer considering OTA specs. Look forward to seeing more results as you get the rig dialled in and tuned. Should be impressive.

[winensky]

Nice work. I needed a lot of Ha to bring the nebulae out of the dense star field on this one earlier this year. Pity about the clouds.