The Pleiades (M45) in Taurus - Mark II

[Octane (Humayun)]

All,

This is all I managed at Lostock this year.

10-minute exposures on an uncooled DSLR are not the way of the future. Though, I am reasonably pleased that the G-11 is capable of carrying the 5" APO as well as the 80mm ZenithStar with heavy mounting plates, camera and guide camera.

I will re-attempt this leading up to, and, after, culmination, with half the exposure length but with many more sub-exposures.

So, please ignore the noise if possible. I think the faint stuff towards the middle may be galactic dust? It looks like noise, though. I'm not sure.

Oh, and diffraction spike haters need not look. Unlike lengthy uncooled camera exposures, diffraction spikes are the way of the future.

Read and view here.

Comments, critique, lynchings, etc., all welcome.

Regards,
Humayun

[DeanoNZL (Adrian)]

Nice one Humayun.
A real " Sky with diamonds"

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Weeelll gooolleee, that's a Humi-dinger of an image.

All looks like dust to me.

I think thin black cotton may be the way with regard to inducing the diffraction spikes though..?

Nice work mate.

Mike

[sheeny (Al)]

mmm I've see the traces of nebulae before but not the dust... seriously nice work, H!

Al.

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

That's a nice image H, you should be pleased with it. You going to upgrade to a dedicated CCD camera then?

Dave

[Deeno]

Beautiful image there H

Love the diffraction spikes!

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by Octane

Unlike lengthy uncooled camera exposures, diffraction spikes are the way of the future.

From which padded cell ?

[Lester]

Very nice image Humayun.

[gregbradley]

Great image Humayun. You caught some nice blue reflection nebula there.

It was also great to meet you at IIAS09.

Greg.

[telecasterguru (Frank)]

Wow. Great image showing off a lot of nebulosity.

Frank

[Ric]

A real beauty Humayun.

Love the nebulosity.

cheers

[DavidU (Dave)]

Beautiful !

[h0ughy (David)]

well looks like you managed to bag something for the few days you were at Lostock

[multiweb (Marc)]

Beautiful shot Mr. H! Very hard DSO to capture IMO. Bright stars in front of dim nebulosity - bad recipe. Always found it a challenge to balance and you've done a great job. I'm still to take a decent shot of this one to date.

[TrevorW]

Nice one H

Ok I'll go out on a limb here and say in this instance the diffraction spikes detract from the nebula

A couple on the brighter stars may be all thats needed or some not as garish and no I don't dislike diffraction spikes

With all the nebulosity around M45 its a nice target to capture naked so too speak.

[Bolts_Tweed (Mark)]

Great shot H.

I am going to stay far away from the spike issue (ok i'll wade in - I cant help myself - I like em) but what is great is the innovation and pushing the envelope and doing something different.

The depth of nebulosity is great and if its going stright to the poolroom wall why not do something that tickles your own eye.

Well Done

mark

[jase (Jason)]

Nothing wrong here Humayun. Very well presented with unique framing. Well done.

[Hagar (Doug)]

Very nice H,, really in your face stuff but to me the diffraction spikes are a bit much.

[allan gould]

Like the nebulosity but dont like the diffraction spikes. But its all personal taste - its still a great shot. Well done and those bright stars show no CA.
I feel that the subject is the dust and nebulosity rather than the stars. Maybe a traditionalist view - but as usual H, you have given us something different. More power to you.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

wow, OK, nice nebulosity there, but perhaps a little spike overkill, overall though interestingly different, top work H.