Pointers and Southern Cross

2020BC (Bill Christie) · #1 22-07-2007, 08:31 PM

Subject: Southern Cross, Pointers and Coal Sack.

Canon 350D unmod, 50mm f1.8 lens at f6.3; LXD-75 mount unguided.

16 x 4 mins 800 ISO (64 minutes); 10 median darks; 10 averaged flats.

To view click here (0.9 MB)

For a close-up of the pointers click here (1.0 MB)

davidpretorius · #2 22-07-2007, 11:07 PM

thats a first for my eyes.

lovely!

Garyh · #3 23-07-2007, 08:14 AM

Nice and sharp Bill, could do with a little more contrast and saturation but a nice job done!!
cheers

iceman (Mike) · #4 23-07-2007, 08:23 AM

Lovely image Bill, it's really full of stars out there!

I agree with Gary about the saturation and contrast, but an otherwise excellent result.

Dietmar · #5 23-07-2007, 08:32 AM

hi Bill,

very nice image!
that reminds me when I was on hony moon vacation on Reunion and Maricius.
when my wife and me were on the top of a 9000feet high mountain at night, we encountered a nightsky, that I have never seend before and after. 7m0 stars!!!
well, coming form the north, it took me a while to recognize the constellations - You know - usually I have sagittarus and scorio some 15 or 20° above the horizon - at 25° south they were near the zenit and upside down.
I recall having seen the LMC and SMC...what a beautiful sight that was!

RB (Andrew) · #6 23-07-2007, 10:59 AM

Very nice image Bill, nice pinpoint stars too.

I agree with Gary and Mike, a slight adjustment to the levels should bring out more contrast and boost saturation.

Ric · #7 23-07-2007, 11:48 AM

Lovely image Bill, what a star rich area it is.

Cheers

2020BC (Bill Christie) · #8 23-07-2007, 08:38 PM

Thanks guys for the encouragement, and also the advice.

Here's a ramped version with your suggested boost to the contrast and saturation.

What do you think? Any different?

click here for boosted version (1.4MB)

click here for the original (1 MB)

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #9 24-07-2007, 12:42 AM

Yes Bill, the boosted one is lovely.

And that's with an UN-modified 350D!!! Wow! I like it

iceman (Mike) · #10 24-07-2007, 06:55 AM

Much imrpoved, well done Bill!

jase (Jason) · #11 24-07-2007, 07:51 AM

Sensational work Bill. The contrast and colour enhancement has made a positive improvement. Very well done!

RB (Andrew) · #12 24-07-2007, 09:52 AM

Yep, I like the new version better Bill, great work.
I also love the star bursts on the main stars from the camera blades, looks cool !

2020BC (Bill Christie) · #13 24-07-2007, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dietmar

hi Bill,

very nice image!
that reminds me when I was on hony moon vacation on Reunion and Maricius.
when my wife and me were on the top of a 9000feet high mountain at night, we encountered a nightsky, that I have never seend before and after. 7m0 stars!!!
well, coming form the north, it took me a while to recognize the constellations - You know - usually I have sagittarus and scorio some 15 or 20° above the horizon - at 25° south they were near the zenit and upside down.
I recall having seen the LMC and SMC...what a beautiful sight that was!

Yep, Sag & Sco overhead are a fine sight, and the LMC & SMC - knowing what they are - they are awesome.