IC 4406 = Retina nebula

[Lester]

Hi all, this planetary is in the constellation of Lupus, magnitude 10.2 and size 1.8' . This image taken with Meade LX200 14" at F10, using Astro 40D at ISO 1600. 18 exposures total with duration of 5 and 8 minutes. Guided with Orion starshoot auto guider and Orion delux OAG, using PHD. Stacked in DSS and processed in photoshop. The final is only cropped slightly to elliminate frame edges.

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/9a472033.jpg

[renormalised (Carl)]

Nice shot, Lester

[Paul Haese]

Lester, this has to your best processed shot on these tiny PN's. The colour is very good and the stars are generally round. There is some ghosting or maybe coma on the right hand side of the image. Other than that the image is very good.

[Lester]

Thanks Carl and Paul for your comments.

Paul I tried to reduce the coma with curves, and this was as good as I could get. Since I ditched the focal reducer/field flattener, the results have improved.

[gregbradley]

A very difficult target. I think you are a touch out of focus as I can see your secondary mirror in some of the stars centres but its very minor.

Nice colour on the nebula and a good catch.

Greg.

[Lester]

Hi Greg, thanks for your comments. I will take more care on the focus next time. I really need to make my Feather touch focuser into an electric version.

[multiweb (Marc)]

It's a very nice capture Lester. Lovely colors and you just can start making out the details in the central portion. Good work.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Oh yeah, thats the bomb. Now get an ST8XME, dont argue, just do it.

[Ross G]

Such an unusual object Lester.

A great photo.

Thanks.

Ross.

[Lester]

Thanks Marc, Fred and Ross for your comments.

Fred I have thought about another camera, but, at this time in life there are a number of things against that.