NGC 4071 planetary

Lester · #1 30-05-2011, 12:38 AM

Hi all, this is my first attempt at imaging with the 14" at F10. I have only used F6.3 with the field flattener/reducer up till now, because I thought that would give a flattener FOV than F10. The field flattener/reducer would always have some of the FOV out of focus. This image at F10 was fully in focus, only with coma around the edges that a SCT is known for. I would be interested to know if others have had similar unsatisfactory results with the Meade F6.3 field flattener/reducer?

This planetary is in Musca, magnitude 13 and diameter of 1.3' . It has a very unique internal structure. This image is from 4 minute exposures at ISO 3200 and 10 minute exposures at ISO 1250, with Astro 40D. The image is only slightly cropped as I had to do a meridian flip during the run.

The image is 1.1meg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/b0613b60.jpg

Lester · #2 30-05-2011, 06:19 PM

Take 2.

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/0e463512.jpg

Hagar (Doug) · #3 30-05-2011, 07:08 PM

Hi Lester, looks good to me. The PN looks great and overall the stars aren't to bad. Maybe a little bloated but then again the PN is awfully small.
Nice job.

Lester · #4 30-05-2011, 10:18 PM

Thanks for your comments Doug as always I appreciate them. All the best.

Stevec35 (Steve) · #5 31-05-2011, 10:51 AM

Hi Lester

That looks much better. The previous version was clipped. Good effort on this seldom imaged object.

Cheers

Steve

Lester · #6 31-05-2011, 04:31 PM

Thanks for your comments Steve. All the best.

TrevorW · #7 31-05-2011, 05:27 PM

Tiny ain't we I'd like to see some of these done with really big aperture scope as a comparison

well done Lester

Bassnut (Fred) · #8 31-05-2011, 05:32 PM

Top work there Lester, wow 10min at 4m FL, thats rare round these parts. Nice to see some serious close up. Going by the round stars, you have the Titan well tuned, thats no mean feat at that FL.

You have developed quite some skill there , a cooled CCD on your rig would be interesting indeed.

Lester · #9 31-05-2011, 06:47 PM

Hi Trevor and Fred, thanks for your comments, I appreciate them.

Fred I have looked at different CCDs a number of times, but at this time with my work, I don't think I would have the time or processing skill to do a CCD mono camera justice. Now that I have got the Titan tracking well, I am keen to re-capture planetary nebula at F10 with the Astro 40D.

Trevor, I have done a few google searches to find images of the lesser known planetaries. Some of those are very good.

Fabiomax (Fabiomassimo) · #10 02-06-2011, 07:18 AM

A beautiful planetary nebula! I think it was particularly difficult to take, is really very small.
Cheers,
Fabiomax

Lester · #11 02-06-2011, 07:59 AM

Thanks Fabio, all the best.

renormalised (Carl) · #12 02-06-2011, 09:35 AM

Nice piccie, Lester

Great colour in the PN and as Fred said, you have the Titan tracking really well

If you want a CCD, why not grab an OSC...until you can afford the time to use a mono and do the processing.

Lester · #13 02-06-2011, 11:22 AM

Thanks for your comments Carl. Yes I have also thought along the lines of the OSC, and it may be the future for me. When I come across some excess $$ to spend.

All the best.

renormalised (Carl) · #14 02-06-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lester

Thanks for your comments Carl. Yes I have also thought along the lines of the OSC, and it may be the future for me. When I come across some excess $$ to spend.

All the best.

Yeah, that all important $$$...never seems to be enough when you need it!!!.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #15 02-06-2011, 12:06 PM

Hi Lester

Overlooked this one, the repro shows quite a bit of inner detail, very cool.

Excellent work at long focal length, I am sure you have enough skill for a mono camera

Mike

Lester · #16 03-06-2011, 06:58 AM

Thanks Mike for your comments.