SN1987a attempt

[kinetic (Steve)]

Inspired by Rolf's incredible webcam effort, I tried this
morning to see how well I could resolve his star grouping
in the outer Tarantula Neb/LMC . This is with similar size pixels and
the DSI II cooled to 10 C from 33 C ambient. 12" Newt at 1524mm f.l.

I think this section of the neb has been called the Honeycomb
Nebula and my first image has been processed to emphasise the
nebulosity. Seeing wasn't the best.
The second is a crop of the SN1987a region with a curve and sharpen
to best resolve and separate the blobby stars.

I think for me it's a no go...I can't say for sure that I have picked up any
faint evidence of SN origin.

Steve

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Always good to see how far you can push your equipment. The image themselves look good with hardly any noise, shame you couldn't get the light rings though.

[kinetic (Steve)]

Two more crops and sharpens done on the best 30 frames.
I think anything between those 2 stars on my results are just
processing artifacts unfortunately.
Hopefully a night of better seeing will show something.

Steve

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Excellent work Steve!

Keep at it. You'll eventually get it

[kinetic (Steve)]

Well I might have got it tonight. Still not exactly sure.
I think a few more backup results might confirm it.
Far better seeing tonight, more frames and two sets done,
one with the ccd down to 11C and one at 25C ambient.

1st image is the field with a curve for the nebula.
2nd image is a crop/curve/sharpen to best separate the stars.
3rd is the HST image for comparison.

One thing that blows me away is how Rolf could get something
with a 10" scope and an 8bit(12bit?), 5.6um pixel colour webcam with NO filter for IR!

Mine is a 16 bit cooled DSI II chip with 8.6u pixels, more sensitive mono
chip on the 12" Newt with a Baader filter.
He's certainly doing something amazing in his routine.

Steve

[kinetic (Steve)]

Another from this morning through sucker holes.
Camera cooled to 10C.
Trying to identify some of the fainter mag stars is proving
quite frustrating because the V7 Java Aladin is giving me memory errors.
I think this would have to be the absolute limit of my scope/cam ability.

Can anyone please identify some of the faintest mags in this image?

Steve

[John Hothersall]

Great effort, I would love a go at this but seeing is crucial to showing any structure so keep trying. Rolf's effort where spectacular.

John.