Trifid Nebula

[Jon (Jonathan)]

Before the clouds came, I got 2 hours 10 mins data on the Trifid Nebula. An oldie I know, but it's such an amazing object. 26 x 5 min subs.

There's a fair bit if noise, I think because the temperature of my darks is all over the shop. Might try to get some more - the lights were steady at 7 degrees so if I can match that things should be good.

[Added new process of the data with better darks - first image with additional blue]

[RobF (Rob)]

That's a wonderful rendition Jonathon. I particularly love the natural colours in the neb, stars but also the sky background. Bit of field rotation creeping into the corners. What rig did you use out of interest?

[Jon (Jonathan)]

Originally Posted by RobF

That's a wonderful rendition Jonathon. I particularly love the natural colours in the neb, stars but also the sky background. Bit of field rotation creeping into the corners. What rig did you use out of interest?

Hi Rob - Meade 10" SCT with f/6.3 focal reducer/flattener, Canon 60Da, on a Losmandy G11 (which, as you point out, needed a bit of polar alignment - I'd left it in place from the night before, but fiddled with the RA gearbox and worm during the day in the course of which I clearly bumped it out of whack).

I've also just discovered that all the darks I used had light leaking in from the viewfinder. So I'm retaking darks and will reprocess.

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

I've also just discovered that all the darks I used had light leaking in from the viewfinder. So I'm retaking darks and will reprocess.

That's a good point Jon. I should take more care with that too.

Very nice image. If you lighten up the background which is dominated by stars, I think you will find much more of the bluish nebula.

[Jon (Jonathan)]

Took some better darks and reprocessed. Big difference! Able to pull out much more of the faint blue stuff :-)

[Jon (Jonathan)]

Took better darks and reprocessed. Added the new image to the original post. What a difference! Able to pull out much more of the faint blue stuff.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Nice image, Jon-lots of blue nebulosity, which is often lacking in images of the Trifid.

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

Nicely done...

[Jon (Jonathan)]

Thanks Larry and Rowland.

[DavidNg (David)]

Love the image Jon.