Well, this weekend at Wiruna was just amazing. Had a great time under clear, steady skies...
The Rosette is a large, diffuse object with a cluster of bright stars in the centre. Where I live, the nebulosity gets lost in LP, but this weekend presented a rare opportunity.
My first mosaic!
The attached image is a 2-frame mosaic, the Rosette is way to big for a single frame with the 127mm ED and QHY8. I think this object may benefit from a 4-frame or even 6-frame mosaic in the 'future'.
The attached image is a quick stretch with some contrast enhancement and colour correction. I'm sure I can do better, but I just had to post this for comment
127mm North Group 'APO'
EQ6 mount, guided
6x600s subs per frame, QHY8, gain 1, offset 58
Flats and bias applied in DSS.
Great details on display. Good management of star colours, perhaps needs a subtle amount more blue on the highlights. Really impressive stuff none the less.
WOW! That is absolutely stunning. brilliant work Rob.
Thanks Mike!
Quote:
Originally Posted by multiweb
Turned out awesome Rob. Amazing contrast and details.
Keep'em coming.
Thanks Marc! It came out better than expected for such a diffuse object. More subs next time yeah!
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley
Fantastic.
Greg.
Thanks Greg.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jase
Great details on display. Good management of star colours, perhaps needs a subtle amount more blue on the highlights. Really impressive stuff none the less.
Thanks Jase, interesting that you mention the blue. I had to drop the green back a fair bit because I've found the QHY8 green channel responds slightly to HII and Ha. I didn't do anything with blue channel, I'll tweak it a bit and see what happens
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexN
Pwoah!! Nice mosaic!
Teach me Master!!
Thanks for the compliment! I'm not a master yet. Call me grasshopper...
I stretched the blue channel a wee bit... perhaps not enough as my monitor makes things look somewhat blue anyway. Lemme know if I need to hit it harder
Fantastic effort Rob. Great resolution and fine detail.
Images such as yours from your QHY8 are making it really difficult for me to decide which way to go next. I'm tossing up between cooling the 350D (with which I'm becoming very familiar now), getting a QHY8 (and hoping the software doesn't conflict with my QHY5 on the same laptop) or going full hog and SBIG-ing it. The QHY series of cameras is certainly earning its stripes now.
Fantastic effort Rob. Great resolution and fine detail.
Images such as yours from your QHY8 are making it really difficult for me to decide which way to go next. I'm tossing up between cooling the 350D (with which I'm becoming very familiar now), getting a QHY8 (and hoping the software doesn't conflict with my QHY5 on the sale laptop) or going full hog and SBIG-ing it. The QHY series of cameras is certainly earning its stripes now.
If you've got the budget don't hesitate - SBIG it.
I'm tossing up between cooling the 350D (with which I'm becoming very familiar now), getting a QHY8 (and hoping the software doesn't conflict with my QHY5 on the same laptop) or going full hog and SBIG-ing it. The QHY series of cameras is certainly earning its stripes now.
I've never used a cooled DSLR so I don't know if condensation would be an issue. You certainly get good resolution for your dollar.
The QHY8 is built down to a price and gets great results when the drivers play nicely with the QHY5. It's good value for a cooled ccd but you'll need to live with a few rough edges.
If I had the money I'd go for an SBIG. In fact I'll probably move up to an an SBIG or an FLI in 2009 if one comes along at the right price.
Turned out awesome Rob. Amazing contrast and details. 
Thanks for the compliment! I'm not a master yet. Call me grasshopper...
