NGC2032, 2014 and others

[Paul Haese]

With one day open to me for the next two weeks or so I decided to image this region which contains quite a few NGC objects. I was also keen to image the faint cirrus which lies in our line of site with the LMC. There are faint whisps of the dust in the image, but overall I think the object could do with another night to bring the image up to 10 hours.

The image currently contains 5 hours of data with subs at 15 minutes for the colour and 20 minutes for the Ha and Lum. You really need to image the Ha as a standard LRGB does not show the gas clous very well. Of course this means one runs the risk of getting the blending wrong. Not sure how I went here but I think it is ok.

There are so many blue stars in this region that the image has a tendency to look blue. I took a fair bit of time to try and balance the stars out. To the right of center the stars are mainly populated by orange/red stars. To the left of center the stars are mainly blue. It gives an odd look to the overall image, but one that is a little quirky.

From an small scope there is a lot of detail and certainly larger focal lengths could capture some interesting detail. Maybe something for me to have a go at with the RC12 when I finally get all the adapters and software installed.

Click here for image

Feel free to critique and comment.

[gregbradley]

I love it! You got the Ha blending spot on in my opinion.

A wonderful composition.

Greg.

[Tom Davis (Tom)]

I really miss the southern sky, and fantastic images like this make me miss it even more! Great job!!

Tom

[TheDecepticon]

Cool Paul, nice objects to get into the one field.

[marco (Marco Lorenzi)]

Very very nice Paul, I love this part of the sky and you did it very very well! It is me or the nebulae at the right are a bit orange? If not that really means my monitor (or my eyes) need to be recalibrate..

Clear Skies
Marco

[Paul Haese]

Thanks all for the kind words.

Marco, I have taken a closer look but I think the orange stars are perhaps helping to give the impression that the nebula to the right is orange. Looking at it here there are quite a few stars around the nebulae and this looks like the nebula is orange. Quite disconcerting really, but at high res the nebula is a pinky red colour. Albeit very faint. That C shaped bit in the middle right does look faintly orange though, but again the orange stars are the culprits. Good pick Marco. I had to take a bit of a look to know for sure.

[SkyViking (Rolf)]

Wow what a detailed look into the LMC, awesome! There is so much to look at, and the combination of bright blue supergiants and the fainter orange stars scattered over the field is just beautiful. Thanks for sharing this great image.

[richardo (Rich)]

Wow! Great impact here Paul.. love the way you've tackled the processing.. very dynamic! And also the object/s choice is excellent...
I haven't spent enough time myself around the LM & SM clouds so it's great to see stuff like this.
So much in one fov... the more I look the more I see!

Top stuff!

Rich

[desler]

Nice Paul, very nice! Getting the colours just right is something that I struggled with. You have done very well.

Darren

[jase (Jason)]

Very well done Paul. Really liked the structure you've obtained in the nebulosity. The OIII elements stand out despite not specifically aquiring the narrow bandpass data of the wavelength. I would like to see more colour depth (red) in the Ha knots however but thats a personal preference. The RC12 would be a good match for some of these features. Top stuff!

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Very interesting, must agree with jase there are some details that are worth per suing with the big scope, the nebulosity to the lower of shot with the blue loop looks like a great bit of feature.
I have always found these tightly packed areas hard to work with, the cirrus dust effect is something I hadn't previously noticed.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys. This area is probably going to be visited by the RC12. As Clive suggested that blue loop has caught my eye. It is near NGC2014 and would easily fit in the field. I would love to do a narrow band of it but at present only have these filters for the QSI. I would need to buy the larger filters for the ST11. Still a larger image with the RC12 in LHaRGB would be nice too I am sure.

Rich dodge and burn is thy friend, with some masking to boot.

Thanks all for the comments.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Overall a nice result Paul

At least you got out

Mike

[Paul Haese]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Overall a nice result Paul

At least you got out

Mike

What's the weather like over your way mate? Or are you referring to your visit to Canberra? If so it will be for a good cause. Get a nice property and then you will be in heaven.

[mill (Martin)]

Loads to see Paul and the HA blend is just right, cant wait to see a more closeup shot of this.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

What's the weather like over your way mate? Or are you referring to your visit to Canberra? If so it will be for a good cause. Get a nice property and then you will be in heaven.

My lappie was stolen a couple of weeks ago in a break in, I haven't replaced it yet but the insurers wheels are finally turning this came on top of weather and life..oh well I'm patient

[Paul Haese]

Ah that sucks. Sorry to hear about that. Did you have your images backed up?

[Ross G]

Great detail and colours Paul.

A very nice photo.

Ross.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Ross