Helix with more data added

[Paul Haese]

Last time I posted this image it had 3.5 hours of data. I have subsequently added another 2 hours of data which I have been collecting when I can over the last two months (the weather has not helped) and will be adding more to in over the next month or so. It is going to need maybe 10 hours or more to bring out all the faint whisps of gas.

Click here for image

Feel free to critique or provide comments.

[Ross G]

A great photo Paul.

Amazing deatil and I love the colours.

Ross.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Ross. It still needs a lot more data, but it is getting there slowly.

[Hagar (Doug)]

Nice one Paul. It does look like you may have pushed the stretch a bit hard with the edges of the stars starting to break down a bit.
Considering the amount of detail in the outer halo I am surprised you haven't captured more scattered Ha.

[Paul Haese]

Not sure about the stretch, that is all masked out so that the stars remain basically the same. It could be the blur mask I have applied that is affecting the star field. Mind you I did work this data a lot. Like you I would have thought more data would be present. This is 140 minutes of Ha, but I think it just needs more. The scope is small, so it will require more time to even out the noise and raise the signal. I will try to double the current values for all filters and see what that bring to the table.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Not sure about the stretch, that is all masked out so that the stars remain basically the same. It could be the blur mask I have applied that is affecting the star field. Mind you I did work this data a lot. Like you I would have thought more data would be present. This is 140 minutes of Ha, but I think it just needs more. The scope is small, so it will require more time to even out the noise and raise the signal. I will try to double the current values for all filters and see what that bring to the table.

It's looking good Paul and pretty deep really .

Personally I wouldn't bother pucshing on with a 4" why not wait and use the 12"..?

Mike

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Remarkable amount of detail for a 4 inch scope, but I'm going to agree with mike, if you've got the 12 inch it will really give the detail in the knots going into the core.

[Paul Haese]

You both have got a good point. It is probably moot to go much further with the 4". The 12 is here and I need a clear night around full moon to do the pointing run and get the the bugs out of the system (ie collimation and using the STL11K) before I get that rocking. I had planned on doing NGC2035 as the first image with the 12" (I know I was going to do NGC253 but those knots in the LMC were far too attractive). Mind you the Helix will still be there next year. Maybe it is time to start with the big scope.

[gregbradley]

A good result Paul but probably not the best target for a 4 inch APO.

It'd be nice to see some widefields with your TSA and your STL11. That could be a really nice combo.

Your 12 inch is the go for these sorts of dim, small targets.

Greg.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Maybe it is time to start with the big scope.

[Paul Haese]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

A good result Paul but probably not the best target for a 4 inch APO.

It'd be nice to see some widefields with your TSA and your STL11. That could be a really nice combo.

Your 12 inch is the go for these sorts of dim, small targets.

Greg.

I like to stretch how far I can go with the aperture. That TSA has produced some lovely images and it is the scope I have owned the longest now.

You make a good argument about the TSA and the STL. I had considered getting the adapter made up for these two components. The field of view might just vignette though. I am using a reducer with TSA now and I get some vignetting with the QSI. Thoughts?

I will get the 12 inch going first before contemplating this next move.