Small Magellanic Cloud (5 hours worth)

dugnsuz (Doug) · #1 26-10-2008, 12:40 AM

Hello all...
Spent all last week collecting SMC data totaling just over 5 hours worth.
Exposures ranged from 300 - 600secs, all 200mm @ f5.6, iso1600.
ICNR on, Flats done too this time!

Canon 40D (modded)
Canon 70-200mm f4L lens, 200mm @ f5.6 (+ IDAS LPS filter)
Skywatcher Synscan EQ5 mount
Autoguided with PHD

Stacked in Images Plus, processed in PS.

All comments appreciated...personally I like the way the HA regions are helped into view by the 600sec exps, but overall I feel the image is a bit "gritty" looking! I was hoping for a much smoother look given the amount of exposure time.

Link to the higher res version...
http://s327.photobucket.com/albums/k...urrent=16b.jpg

Cheers
Doug

Tandum (Robin) · #2 26-10-2008, 12:49 AM

Spectacular Doug ... Memories of Barambah for me ...

h0ughy (David) · #3 26-10-2008, 01:08 AM

you must be very happy with the result though i am not sure of how much more you would get?

Tilt (Michael) · #4 26-10-2008, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugnsuz

overall I feel the image is a bit "gritty" looking! I was hoping for a much smoother look given the amount of exposure time.

Warmer weather causing higher noise possibly, DSLR starting to lose out to cooled CCD's as the temp climbs.

I know that last weekend when David and I were capturing data from NGC2070, the noise was quite high compared to the last time we had a go at imaging (which was in winter).

Still a great image mate, I always like what you do with the 70-200 L glass.

Michael

multiweb (Marc) · #5 26-10-2008, 08:25 AM

Very nice colors and details. Nice pic.

dugnsuz (Doug) · #6 26-10-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

you must be very happy with the result though i am not sure of how much more you would get?

Thanks All

Yeah houghy - think the law of diminishing returns must kick in somewhere.

Craig_L · #7 26-10-2008, 11:38 AM

Nice one Doug. Those flats seem to be working well.

Jen · #8 26-10-2008, 11:50 AM

Nice pic Doug

Kevnool (Kev) · #9 26-10-2008, 12:06 PM

Nice Image Doug .....is that NGC 603 half right on the left side of the image,The poor bugger nearly made it all the way in......cheers Kev.

dugnsuz (Doug) · #10 26-10-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevnool

Nice Image Doug .....is that NGC 603 half right on the left side of the image,The poor bugger nearly made it all the way in......cheers Kev.

Absolutely Kev!
It was so burned out after the processing I cut it off to save my embarasment!!!

leon · #11 26-10-2008, 01:44 PM

Nice one Doug, 5 hours worth hey,

bet you are pleased with that, very impressive mate.

Now there is still on thing that puzzles me, however I'm sure that it has been explained to me before, but forgive me I'm getting old.

I always thought that all exposures processed in Image Plus had to be of the same length,

but obviously, with the beauty you have produced that is not the case.

Please explain..????????

Leon

dugnsuz (Doug) · #12 26-10-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leon

I always thought that all exposures processed in Image Plus had to be of the same length,

but obviously, with the beauty you have produced that is not the case.

Cheers leon,
I think they all have to be the same image size - at least that's the only time I've run into problems with IP.

leon · #13 26-10-2008, 08:21 PM

Well I'll be buggered,

is that so, just learn't something.

Leon

Glenhuon (Bill) · #14 26-10-2008, 08:29 PM

Nice image Doug

Reminds me of a book I read many years ago "And the stars like dust"

Lester · #15 26-10-2008, 09:33 PM

top class image Doug. To capture the red nebulosity within the SMC isn't easy and you have got it showing up very well.

dugnsuz (Doug) · #16 26-10-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lester

top class image Doug. To capture the red nebulosity within the SMC isn't easy and you have got it showing up very well.

Thanks Lester - those 600sec exps really helped

strongmanmike (Michael) · #17 26-10-2008, 10:38 PM

Nice job Doug, lots of interesting bits to see, the grit you refer to looks like stallar resolution to me..

I like the way your lens performs..I think I may have asked already?...err?...can I have it?

Mike

dugnsuz (Doug) · #18 26-10-2008, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Nice job Doug, lots of interesting bits to see, the grit you refer to looks like stallar resolution to me..

I like the way your lens performs..I think I may have asked already?...err?...can I have it?

Mike

Cheers Mike
It's a nice wee lens - you're right!

And, no you can't have it! You would render me lens-less!!!

Octane (Humayun) · #19 27-10-2008, 07:03 PM

Doug,

Love the H-alpha portions. Well done!

Regards,
Humayun

winensky · #20 27-10-2008, 11:26 PM

Fantastic, The nebulosities stand out beautifully and I agree with Mike, it is a very fine and dense star field. Great work!