A cosmic ant

tornado33 · #1 29-06-2006, 12:50 AM

Ive finally managed to get the best image of the Ant Nebula, MZ3 that ive ever got.
Its 4x5 mins ISO 800, masked with a 3x120 sec ISO 200 image, in order to display the full dynamic range of this strange object, and to show the ant's antennae. Shot with UHCS filter with 10 inch f5.6 scope and Hutech 350d. It is a full resolution crop. Heres a HST image for comparison
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap010205.html
Obviously the HST image is in false, not true colour.
Scott

h0ughy (David) · #2 29-06-2006, 07:46 AM

wonderful scott!

PhotonCollector (Paul) · #3 29-06-2006, 11:13 AM

That is without doubt THE BEST image I have ever seen of the Ant by an amateur astronomer. Well done. Thanks for showing.

Paul M

Striker (Tony) · #4 29-06-2006, 11:29 AM

Looks great Scott...I remember this time last year that was my first planetary nebula I ever did.

I suppose its a good time for me to try these smaller targets imaging at 2500mm

Hope mine turns out as well as yours.

Nice job.

ving (David) · #5 29-06-2006, 02:00 PM

great image scott!!
yeah have a go tony and let us see the results

tornado33 · #6 29-06-2006, 03:50 PM

thanks all
yes Tony I was gonna suggest you try your rig out on it. Its perfectly suited to image at F10 as it is VERY bright in H alpha, and based on your first images with the RC scope you wull get excellent detail in just a few minutes.
Scott

astroron (Ron) · #7 29-06-2006, 04:10 PM

Great Picture Scott,that object is very difficult to see even in a 16" scope

Adrian-H · #8 29-06-2006, 06:45 PM

thats cool great job on that, hehe the hubble one really looks like an ant, but that is still really great

tornado33 · #9 30-06-2006, 01:26 AM

Thanks all
Yes I gather its hard to see visually, because just about all the light it emits is red H alpha light, which in low levels cant be seen by eye. Its an odd planetary nebula that way, its redder then most other nebulae I know of.
Scott

Lester · #10 30-06-2006, 07:42 PM

Good one Scott. The Hubble shot is breathe taking.

mickoking · #11 30-06-2006, 07:47 PM

Thanx for that Scott, Fabulous

I will have to try and view it visually.

xelasnave · #12 30-06-2006, 07:59 PM

Neat these things fascinate me.
no doubt you have seen a Hubble shot of this object (and others) the variety is extrodinary.
Increadible capture you must be very happy with this one is real is excellent
alex