this is an image I am sort of comfortable with. This represents the greatest integration time I have undertaken at 81.75 hours and nearly 25 hours rejected so far. I have removed data on the basis of the moon being too close, high cloud, FWHM not the required amount or too many satellite trails.
My goal here is to image the very faint outer extensions of this intriguing object. There have been at least 4 ejections of gas over the course of the red giant phase. There might be more but finding information about it is a bit lean. The furthest out is barely visible with 43 hours of Ha with this size aperture. I am intending to continue to image this object until it sets this year. I am hoping to obtain all the data required to attain the final goal but am well aware of diminishing returns here.
However, for now I am prepared to release this colour image.
Things of note aside from the nebula itself, is the faint galaxies in the background. Some are heavily red shifted and appear yellowy orange. The closer ones are blue. I think it adds to the image and gives a sense of depth.
Amazing Paul! Your dedication to the pursuit of the faint details in all your images is inspiring.
Thanks Glen. I like pushing my gear to its limits. That way I can justify in my head the money of have spent in this crazy pursuit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by topheart
Hi Paul,
Sorry, but I can't get the link to the image to work for me.
Cheers,
Tim
Hi Tim, the traffic is busy at present, several FB groups I belong to are hammering the site. However, just in case the link is busted here is the direct link
Thanks Colin and Mark for your comments. Colin, it is nice to have someone's images to aspire toward I think. It keeps one pushing harder.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Placidus
Had to chop a bit off the front of the link to make it work. Then ... wonder!
Utterly beautiful. Most inspiring. I love the three-dimensional feel to the upper "eyebrow" arch. Real and solid.
Congratulations,
Mike
Not sure how that piece of code got on the front of the address.
Thanks Mike. Over the course of the last 25 hours or so that 3D look started to emerge in the arch area. The OIII in that regions is very faint but has over time become more evident. Some lovely looking striations in that area too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevec35
That's definitely megadata and a half Paul! Definitely paid off though with the visible structure in the outer regions.
Nice job.
Steve
Thanks Steve. The funny thing is that I still need to take more data yet. Perhaps up to 50 hours of OIII and some more Ha data to eliminate noise and strengthen the signal. Certainly lots of data.
Quote:
Originally Posted by codemonkey
I don't know how you have the patience for such an epic integration; 6hrs is a big effort for me. Glad you did though, this is amazing.
Thanks Lee. 5 or so years ago I would not have undertaken such large projects. The use of automated data collection has really enabled me to be more patient. I can highly recommend that for anyone wanting to collect large volumes of data to create better images.
Quote:
Originally Posted by topheart
That's a helluva Helix Paul !!
Deep indeed!
It has a lovely 3D feel to it.
My highest praise and congratulations on a Herculean effort.
Regards,
Tim
Thanks Tim, I agree this is already a lovely looking Helix and has beautiful looking 3D areas but I still wonder how much more data would be needed before I was get no further improvement. Rolf's recent images seem to indicate that there is a fair way to go yet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley
Great work Paul. Hats off to you for your dedication and pursuit of perfection.
Your images are always first class.
Greg.
Thanks Greg, being a perfectionist does some times have its benefits. I encourage anyone to follow the pursuit of perfection even if it cannot be attained fully; trying is always a good thing.
5 or so years ago I would not have undertaken such large projects. The use of automated data collection has really enabled me to be more patient. I can highly recommend that for anyone wanting to collect large volumes of data to create better images.
Well, if it's that easy I'm not impressed any more, Paul
Lovely, deep image. I'll be very interested to see what you discover if you manage to go deeper.
fantastic work Paul, you may be going for the outer extensions but i'm also loving the inner sharpness and depth.
cheers
rusty
It was quite interesting watching the inner regions improve in detail during the ensuing session. Not only did the outer areas increase in signal but the signal quality in the inner regions also improved. I am amazed at the cometary globules showing up so well too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RickS
Well, if it's that easy I'm not impressed any more, Paul
Lovely, deep image. I'll be very interested to see what you discover if you manage to go deeper.
Cheers,
Rick.
LOL, the easy part is sitting at home and collecting the data Rick as you know.
I am going to keep plugging away at this target just to satisfy my curiosity here. I suspect I will need to go about double the depth to get any vast improvement but I think I can get it over 120 hours by the end of the apparition.
Looks like automation as you have said is allowing you to capture heaps of data, but I would say technique, processing and equipment refining with your GSO RC scope has also meant you are getting max results vs effort.
