NGC2736 The Pencil Nebula

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #1 22-01-2017, 01:18 PM

I've been wanting to image this since I saw Fred's (and others) image a couple of years ago. Not sure how well a DSLR would go, but since I could see a faint smudge on a single sub I thought there was a chance, even though I am working with hot summer nights. Sensor noise is like a snow storm at these temps with an uncooled camera.

This is my longest run to date, with 1147 x 30 second (unguided) subs, or about 9.5 hours total. 1147 RAW files take quite a bit if disc space! Two cameras were used, a Pentax K-5 which is better than the Canon 1100D for OIII regions and the modified Canon 1100D for Ha regions. Baader nebula and Astronomik CLS filters were used. Data was collected over 4 nights, stacked in DSS and processed in photoshop. GSO 10" F4 Newtonian, HEQ5-Pro. Humidity was at 85% for most of the duration. Everything was soaking wet afterwards. The things we do for just one piccy!

A few details about the Pencil Nebula stolen from Wiki.

"On 1 March 1835, John Herschel discovered this object at the Cape of Good Hope.... NGC 2736 (also known as the Pencil Nebula) is a small part of the Vela Supernova Remnant that took place 11,000 years ago, located near the Vela Pulsar in the constellation Vela. The nebula's linear appearance triggered its popular name. It resides about 815 light-years away from the Solar System. It is thought to be formed from part of the shock wave of the larger Vela Supernova Remnant. The Pencil Nebula is moving at roughly 644,000 kilometers per hour."

Paul Haese · #2 22-01-2017, 01:20 PM

That looks good Kevin. Nice colour and the detail looks good too.

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #3 22-01-2017, 01:37 PM

Thanks Paul! I am happy with it also for a summer shot.

atalas · #4 22-01-2017, 03:04 PM

Wow

the contrast has really made It pop!well done.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #5 22-01-2017, 03:09 PM

Wow Kev

this object usually fails to impress me, kinda boring really...but this is bloody good! On my phone it looks great, 3D even and lovely colour.

Well done

Mike

Placidus (Mike and Trish) · #6 22-01-2017, 03:09 PM

Bravo!

Atmos (Colin) · #7 22-01-2017, 03:11 PM

Over 1000 frames, ouch!!

Exceptional job Kevin

Geoff45 (Geoff) · #8 22-01-2017, 04:15 PM

That's a great job Kevin. Colour is as good as I've ever seen it and sharpness is good. Nicely framed as well.
Geoff

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #9 22-01-2017, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atalas

Wow

the contrast has really made It pop!well done.

Thanks Louie!

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Wow Kev

this object usually fails to impress me, kinda boring really...but this is bloody good! On my phone it looks great, 3D even and lovely colour.

Well done

Mike

Thanks Mike! I took a look at it at 400 subs and it was screaming for more so kept going. It's an exposure hungry thing, at least for a DSLR.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Placidus

Bravo!

Thanks M&T!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atmos

Over 1000 frames, ouch!!

Exceptional job Kevin

Thanks Colin! First time over the 1000 frame mark for my DSLR's. I'm not sure they're happy about it though lol. At least they shared the load.

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #10 22-01-2017, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff45

That's a great job Kevin. Colour is as good as I've ever seen it and sharpness is good. Nicely framed as well.
Geoff

Thanks Geoff! Your beautiful image of it was one that inspired me also.

RickS (Rick) · #11 22-01-2017, 05:48 PM

One of the better renditions I've seen. Well done, Kevin!

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #12 23-01-2017, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickS

One of the better renditions I've seen. Well done, Kevin!

Thanks Rick!

gregbradley · #13 23-01-2017, 10:52 AM

That's a beauty.

Greg.

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #14 23-01-2017, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregbradley

That's a beauty.

Greg.

Thanks Greg!

topheart · #15 23-01-2017, 10:00 PM

Nice one!
Cheers,
Tim

Stevec35 (Steve) · #16 24-01-2017, 07:53 AM

That is very, very good! Great colour and detail.

Cheers

Steve

Andy01 (Andy) · #17 24-01-2017, 10:27 AM

Very, very well done Kevin

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #18 24-01-2017, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topheart

Nice one!
Cheers,
Tim

Thanks Tim, glad you like it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevec35

That is very, very good! Great colour and detail.

Cheers

Steve

Thanks Steve! I'm fairly happy with the result also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy01

Very, very well done Kevin

Thanks Andy!

Ross G · #19 25-01-2017, 07:50 AM

A great capture Kevin.

Very nice colours and detail.

You are really doing some amazing work with your DSLRs.

Ross.

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #20 25-01-2017, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross G

A great capture Kevin.

Very nice colours and detail.

You are really doing some amazing work with your DSLRs.

Ross.

Thanks Ross! I'm struggling with thermal noise at the moment which is limiting how deep I can go. Next on the list will have to be a cooled camera.