NGC1097 luminance

[gregbradley]

Here is 60 minutes of luminance of galaxy NGC1097. Colour data is too noisy and underexposed. This object probably needs at least 4 hours total.

Again through an AP140 (5.5 inch APO) at F7.5 and the FLI Microline 8300.

I think this shows how sensitive this chip is. As I recall QE is around 60% which is quite good for modern chips.

http://www.pbase.com/image/106597918

I haven't shown it in this image but there are 2 intriguing spokes off to the bottom right of the galaxy a bit further down. Perhaps a star trail coming off the galaxy or what is left of a collision with a nearby minor galaxy. A longer exposure may be able to show it without too much noise.

Greg.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Very good indeed Greg, looks excellent with all that space around her.

Is that the full frame?

The idea of getting the small pixels was so your modest FL could get fine resolution for framing galaxies more closely, yes? thus simulating an image at longer FL taken with bigger pixels (if I have that right?).... so I'd love to see a close up 100% size crop of the galaxy, what's the arc sec/pix with the AP140?

Mike

[multiweb (Marc)]

This is so cool Greg. Really sharp. Lots of details in the dust lanes. I just really like black and white shots. It really works out with light and contrast. Top shot.

[gregbradley]

Yes that is not cropped.

Yes that is the reasoning for both the BRC250 and the AP140 but I think APO images are often more pleasing than compound scopes so I also really want to explore the AP.

I would generally image a galaxy with the BRC with its aperture also its F5 fast speed.

That AP looks magnificent with all its gear on it. Quite an impressive lookign scope. I'll have to take a photo of it next trip and post it. An incredible piece of gear where everything is super solid and works flawlessly.

This camera seems to be extremely sensitive, possibly even more sensitive than the Apogee. When you get a just black background to an image which is practically noise free before you dark subtract then contrast is going to be really high which is good for picking up the really faint stuff.

So yeah, super low noise reasonably high QE, small pixels and smallish chip to get some image scale out of the BRC and AP for galaxies and other smallish objects.

I think I have become a FLI fan. The FLI PDF was awesome as well. I used to love the electronic focuser of the RCOS and this is very similar and it takes up very little room But it does mean I run 4 USB cables off my rig and 4 power supply cables. I may need to build or buy some sort of hub for power and USB to lighten the heavy cable load.

Any suggestions?

Greg.

[Garyh]

Now that`s nice and detailed and fairly deep as well!
Love to see the color version when its done.
Looks like that new camera is going to get a flogging!
cheers

[gregbradley]

Yeah thanks Gary.

First use shows it to be a beautiful piece of equipment.

Greg.