Eta Carinae

jarrod_koh (Jarrod) · #1 21-09-2016, 04:58 PM

I'm just starting to do widefield deep sky stuff. This was taken at Arkaroola in April 11th, 2016 during a family holiday.

I'm still learning about data collection and image processing. Taken with a Nikon D810A, 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 @400mm,F8, ISO 3200, 120seconds (60 mins integration time). HEQ5Pro unguided. Stacked and stretched in Pix and processed in PS.

Full version with eggy stars and all can be seen at: http://www.astrobin.com/full/264901/0/

Atmos (Colin) · #2 21-09-2016, 05:05 PM

That looks great Jarrod! The Nikon D810 has a really good Ha response. From what I have read (never used a D810 myself) ISO 400 seems to be the sweet spot with this Nikon. At 120s and F/8 I wouldn't have thought that so many brighter regions (stars) would have become saturated though.

I do love the FOV at 400mm though!

jarrod_koh (Jarrod) · #3 21-09-2016, 05:13 PM

Thanks Colin! I would have stuck to a lower ISO but because of star lengthening, coma to the edges of the lens, and impatience...(the what the heck factor).. probably more guess work than anything else. Yeah the Carinae nebula and surrounding stars were blown out!! Kaboom!

RickS (Rick) · #4 21-09-2016, 06:53 PM

That's very nice, Jarrod.

rcheshire (Rowland) · #5 21-09-2016, 07:22 PM

As Colin said great red response. Very nice.

f6.3 might give a flatter field and slow the lens down a bit. A lower iso might help as well.

jarrod_koh (Jarrod) · #6 22-09-2016, 08:05 AM

Thanks RickS.

@Rowland - I shot this at f/8 because of coma around the edges with the cheap zoom. I'll have to try it at 800-1600 next.... or to just mask the Nebulae in.

This will give me something to repeat... when the damn clouds go away!

rcheshire (Rowland) · #7 22-09-2016, 04:28 PM

f8. I missed that all important detail. I've had a little success with aperture masks, eliminating the edges of the lens.

NeilW · #8 22-09-2016, 09:24 PM

Nice work my friend

jarrod_koh (Jarrod) · #9 25-09-2016, 08:35 AM

Thanks Neil!