M20 The Trifid Nebula

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #1 06-05-2014, 01:27 AM

Tracking was not quite right tonight, or I think flex came into play. The stars are slightly trailed in R.A. Even so I think this is my best M20 to date. About 2 hours of data over two nights. This is a combination of unfiltered to get the blue reflection neb and the CLS to enhance the Ha. 6" F5 Newt, full spectrum Nikon D70s, Baader MPCC MKIII.

http://astrob.in/94575/0/

nebulosity. (Jo) · #2 06-05-2014, 07:18 AM

That turned out nice

Jo

Amaranthus (Barry) · #3 06-05-2014, 11:17 AM

Nice colours, although it is just a little fuzzy around the nebulosity, which might be a result of flex. Have you had this before with that guidescope? Might be worth trying again with shorter subs (e.g. 80 x 90" this time), and see whether that makes a noticeable difference.

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #4 06-05-2014, 11:49 AM

Thanks Jo, Barry. I think the fuzz around the nebulosity is supposed to be there from other images I've seen. On deeper images the blue nebula wraps all the way around and is very diffuse, which is hinted at here.

This is an old scope I made 24 years ago, it has a few creaks and groans. Some nights it's fine, like yesterday I could go for 5 minutes without trails. Except for short subs of a minute or less, they all look trailed tonight. It could be the angle setting it off. Or the temperature. I've had flex issues with this scope before. I suspect it's in the mirror mount I made. There's no locking screws on the adjustments.

nebulosity. (Jo) · #5 06-05-2014, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cometcatcher

Thanks Jo, Barry. I think the fuzz around the nebulosity is supposed to be there from other images I've seen. On deeper images the blue nebula wraps all the way around and is very diffuse, which is hinted at here.

This is an old scope I made 24 years ago, it has a few creaks and groans. Some nights it's fine, like yesterday I could go for 5 minutes without trails. Except for short subs of a minute or less, they all look trailed tonight. It could be the angle setting it off. Or the temperature. I've had flex issues with this scope before. I suspect it's in the mirror mount I made. There's no locking screws on the adjustments.

That looks cool

do you image though the window?

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #6 06-05-2014, 01:16 PM

I do! (with it open)

astronobob (Bob) · #7 06-05-2014, 02:07 PM

Dig the red stars in this field and nice going with the blue unfiltered capturing too. Only slight tracking error and maybe a smidge off focus, both would indeed cause blur in the neb to an extent.
Grouse show & one to be happy with in my books !!

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #8 06-05-2014, 02:33 PM

Thanks Bob. The focus is fine but the atmosphere was turbulent as seen through the guidescope. The guide star was dancing around a fair bit. A condition that will get worse as it does here every winter.