NGC 6302 is also known as the Bug Nebula, Butterfly Nebula, or Caldwell 69 and is a bipolar planetary nebula in the constellation Scorpius. Although quite bright, with an apparent size of just 4' X 1.5' NGC 6302 is a relatively small object and requires good seeing conditions to reveal the internal details well and with just 1120mm of focal length at hand, good seeing is even more important! Although it was near Full Moon, the conditions were otherwise perfect with excellent seeing (again ) ranging between 1.4" and 1.6" across the night and I was able to use every single sub frame, not one dud. As usual, no Blur Exterminator or other AI based sharpening, was used in the processing.
This is a hybrid Narrowband/true colour image, created without RGB filters. To reveal the extensive faint Halpha in the area, the background was processed as a HaSIIOIII to appear as a more traditional RGB image, so the Ha appears red, while NGC6302 itself was processed as a more traditional SIIHaOIII combination.
That is a great result Mike - the level of detail is really very similar to the Hubble image! A fascinating object too - so many cool things in that part of the sky...
That is a great result Mike - the level of detail is really very similar to the Hubble image! A fascinating object too - so many cool things in that part of the sky...
Jon
Cheers Jon, yep, lot's this time of year to target, too many things to chose from . It was essentially a full Moon so the list of things that could be done well, diminishes considerably. I was actually going to hit the Trifid that night, just collect the Ha and then get the colour around New Moon but as it was still a bit low on dark I thought, I'd check out the Bug and man, when the first sub came down and was so sharp I thought hmmm? nah, I'll hit this tonight, should be able to get a complete set of data...and 6 hours later voila!
Don't be greedy Mike -
other people would like the photons arriving at your dark site.
Some travel for millions of light years only to hit the ground and be wasted
instead of hitting a camera sensor to create a beautiful image.
If photons had feelings they would be upset.
Don't be greedy Mike -
other people would like the photons arriving at your dark site.
Some travel for millions of light years only to hit the ground and be wasted
instead of hitting a camera sensor to create a beautiful image.
If photons had feelings they would be upset.
cheers
Allan
Sorry....
Well, this was one concept I have considered...? Would be awesome but just not sure I have it in me to do, nor the capital required
Great detail Mike. Altitude does make a difference.
As to the hosting idea. With that many domes, you'll need a lot more money than we spent at Swan Reach Imaging; and that was a bucket load. On top of that I did about $70k worth of work to minimise labour costs. Domes are sexy but not practical really, not to mention they can be very buggy. And; yes it is a really big commitment. Work starts half an hour before sunset every night, but I don't want to discourage you.
Great detail Mike. Altitude does make a difference.
It sure does, I'm seeing it with my own eyes and camera almost every session, it's bloody great
Quote:
As to the hosting idea. With that many domes, you'll need a lot more money than we spent at Swan Reach Imaging; and that was a bucket load. On top of that I did about $70k worth of work to minimise labour costs. Domes are sexy but not practical really, not to mention they can be very buggy. And; yes it is a really big commitment. Work starts half an hour before sunset every night, but I don't want to discourage you.
That idea was in my head a while ago and as suggested, was very much a "concept", cooked up when I was brimming with excitement, almost manic with ideas for this euphoric, genital stiffening spot . My model was going to be quite different to your, more traditional and complicated multi pier mixed form of hosting approach, where you are responsible for pretty much everything. I imagined a simpler "sharing the love" type model, where essentially people would, come up, pick a suitable spot, lease it and build what they want (within agreed guidelines) or maybe take up a "package" arrangement, created with a local supplier and enjoy a magnificent location for their observatory, on a renewable lease arrangement, very simple .
....unlikely to happen now buuuut not totally off the table, never say never....
Mike
Last edited by strongmanmike; 10-07-2024 at 01:38 PM.
Mike,
Another cracking image from top of the mountain
Definitely takes on a butterfly shape and colours to match
You are certainly in a unique location to image and expose these tiny faint celestial wonders
Keep em coming !!
Mike,
Another cracking image from top of the mountain
Definitely takes on a butterfly shape and colours to match
You are certainly in a unique location to image and expose these tiny faint celestial wonders
Keep em coming !!
Martone
Thanks Martone A longer FL scope, like, saaay, a 16" F9 RC or similar (well collimated and without astigmatism ), with my FLI16803 camera attached, would give 0.50"/pix and be great for smaller things like galaxies and PN's buuut that isn't likely to happen any time soon , sooo, I'm looking to maybe get some smaller pixels under those photons, through the same scope setup, without losing any FOV or speed, to see if I can take better advantage of the conditions for such objects
In the mean time, I'm happy with the general results I'm able to get up there
) ranging between 1.4" and 1.6" across the night and I was able to use every single sub frame, not one dud. As usual, no Blur Exterminator or other AI based sharpening, was used in the processing.
. It was essentially a full Moon so the list of things that could be done well, diminishes considerably. I was actually going to hit the Trifid that night, just collect the Ha and then get the colour around New Moon but as it was still a bit low on dark I thought, I'd check out the Bug and man, when the first sub came down and was so sharp I thought hmmm? nah, I'll hit this tonight, should be able to get a complete set of data...and 6 hours later voila! 
), with my FLI16803 camera attached, would give 0.50"/pix and be great for smaller things like galaxies and PN's buuut that isn't likely to happen any time soon 
, sooo, I'm looking to maybe get some smaller pixels under those photons, through the same scope setup, without losing any FOV or speed, to see if I can take better advantage of the conditions for such objects 
