B33- Horsehead Nebula

[Anth10 (Anthony M)]

Hi all,
First time post in this section with my attempt at imaging this majestic object from my backyard obs in Briar Hill during December.
Four nights imaging to create this composite with 4hrs12min integration comprising:

Hutech IDAS V3 ISO 800 60sec subs 1.5 hrs
Optilong Ha Filter ISO 1600 90 sec subs 2hrs
Baader UV/IR Cut ISO 400 60 sec subs 50min

Guided/Dithered subs using Canon 60D and Baader coma corrector
Processed DSS, Startools & Photoshop.

This image no doubt has flaws and is noise riddled due to the warm evenings using my DSLR but I am pleased with the result none the less.

Altinak was a real challenge to subdue its flare although the nebulosity and contrast exceeded my expectation using my newly acquired Ha filter.

Best wished to all for the New Year!

Regards,
Anthony

[AdamJL]

Fantastic! That Ha layer really makes this nebula sing, doesn't it? Great effort, Anthony.

[Mickoid (Michael)]

Mate, the hours and hard work you've put in on this one has really paid out. Despite warm nights and light pollution from Melbourne's skies, it's been nicely done and with an older DSLR shows that you don't have to spend thousands of dollars to produce the goods. That's one for the Pool Room!! 👍👍

[Anth10 (Anthony M)]

Originally Posted by AdamJL

Fantastic! That Ha layer really makes this nebula sing, doesn't it? Great effort, Anthony.

Thanks Adam,
Naturally the bayer matrix restricts the full capacity of Ha capture using the DSLR - plenty of exposure is required to make up the shortfall but I have seen the value in spending the time to do so particulary under bortel 7/8 skies.
Cheers,

Originally Posted by Mickoid

Mate, the hours and hard work you've put in on this one has really paid out. Despite warm nights and light pollution from Melbourne's skies, it's been nicely done and with an older DSLR shows that you don't have to spend thousands of dollars to produce the goods. That's one for the Pool Room!! 👍👍

Thanks Mick,
I must say it is quite the effort sacrificing time spent to achieve an image of the night skies especially amongst growing family commitments and the like. It is very satisfying all said and done and forever learning more each time which keeps the interest up. Cooled camera would be on the wish list one of these days though....
Cheers mate.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Anthony,
An excellent image with short subs from a DSLR
Well done indeed !!
By the way info on your rig , mount , scope etc....
Your stars are really tight too
Cheers
Martin

[Anth10 (Anthony M)]

Martin,
Thanks for your comments. My scope was primarily built for visual purposes about 19 years ago but has since been configured for astrophotography and has recently found permanency in my backyard ROR observatory (built during the pandemic).

Specs as follows:
OTA Custom 256mm Aluminised O'Hara Primary Mirror
F5 1250mm Newtonian (hand ground by -Cris Ellis) with flocked cardboard tube fitted with Japanese rack & pinion focuser.
Guide Scope ZWO 60280
Guide Cam ZWO 290mm
NEQ6 Pro stock mount on Heavy Duty 215mm diam/5mm gauge steel pillar
Canon 60D full spectrum modified
ASCOM, EQMod, Stellarium, PHD2, APT

I have always strived to see what I could manage using my setup for deep sky imaging and believe I have reached my potential with it. It is a very cumbersome rig and guiding has certainly allowed me to expand. Short subs of up to two minutes is possible but with such a long focal length it makes it a challenge to keep things neat and tidy.

I do enjoy each session however perhaps time to retire the scope for imaging and assign it for visual and planetary work...
The lure for a lighter short focal length frac and cooled cam is beckoning...

Cheers mate.
Regards,
Anthony