Crescent Neb from Astrofest

peter_4059 (Peter) · #1 05-09-2009, 05:01 PM

Here's another of my Astrofest images - the crescent nebula NGC6888. This image is a stack of 17x4min subs with ICNR and flats, taken with the 400D, paracorr and Newt.

Comments welcome.

h0ughy (David) · #2 05-09-2009, 05:06 PM

looks good, not seen this one myself before

TrevorW · #3 05-09-2009, 05:06 PM

Nice image Peter good stars

peter_4059 (Peter) · #4 05-09-2009, 08:40 PM

Thanks Trevor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

looks good, not seen this one myself before

This target was Mr Ponders idea early one morning (thanks Paul).

h0ughy (David) · #5 05-09-2009, 09:27 PM

ahhh that ponders fella - worth my weight in stardust

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #6 05-09-2009, 09:55 PM

Very nice work Peter. I remember you imaging that.

Octane (Humayun) · #7 06-09-2009, 12:45 AM

Peter,

Oh noes, something's happened to the stars. The halo around them is all washed out like as if is a 256-colour image. Not sure what's happened.

Hopefully you can sort that out as I think there's some potential in there.

Regards,
Humayun

[1ponders] (Paul) · #8 07-09-2009, 02:46 PM

Hmmm....definitely one I'll have a try at next year. Very nice first go at it Pete. Looks like it could use about another 10min / shot though. Have to get that 'flexure' sorted out.

One definitely worth spending some more time on.

ozstronomer (Geoff) · #9 08-09-2009, 05:47 PM

Peter,

Great looking image, you have done well considering how low it was.

I'll have to try it at the next DSO

Geoff

peter_4059 (Peter) · #10 10-09-2009, 08:50 PM

Catching up on posts here - thanks JJJ, H, Geoff & Paul. On the flexure issue I'm planning to remove the secondary and check it is not flopping around in the holder. New focuser also in the post to give me a bit more travel. I'm also thinking about changing the dovetail for something with some more meat in it.

AlexN · #11 10-09-2009, 09:46 PM

Given the weight of your setup Peter, whilst its expensive, I would strongly recommend getting the ADM 'EQ-G SAD' which converts the EQ6 to Losmandy D-Plates. The losmandy plates are 4" wide, and solid as a rock.

It will cost you a lot of money though, you'd need the saddle, D plate for each of your scopes and a D side by side plate.. Otherwise you could go for a D plate with a D and a V saddle, put a D plate on your two imaging scopes and a V plate on your guider to save a little bit of money..

That is -The- way to rule out dovetails as part of your flex problems...

Now, onto the major topic on my mind... Great image! I didnt think the crescent nebula was even possible from our neck of the woods.. Fantastic. I hope to have a go at this one some time..

Top effort.

peter_4059 (Peter) · #12 11-09-2009, 06:49 AM

Thanks Alex. I was toying with a conversion to Losmandy plates although as you say it is a lot of money and I'm not convinced that this is where the flexure is at this stage. I am thinking about changing the vixen dovetail on the 10" to a heavier version (same as my s-b-s bar without the clamps - see bottom of this page http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/). I would also need a larger bearing surface between the tube rings and the bar to make it worthwhile.

The crescent was very low in the North when I imaged this at Astrofest.

Peter

RB (Andrew) · #13 11-09-2009, 08:31 PM

Mate you've done very well.
With just over an hour's worth of data you've captured some very nice detail there.

peter_4059 (Peter) · #14 12-09-2009, 10:12 AM

Thanks Andrew. It probably would have been better if not for the dew. The primary mirror was covered in droplets most nights by this stage. I think that is why the brighter stars have halos.

Peter