Lagoon and Trifid with FS102

Hagar (Doug) · #1 29-05-2009, 09:40 AM

Hi everyone. Last night I did the unusual and sent my mount on a journey to the Lagoon nebula. I had just completed a 3 star alignment (Not enough for the Gemini) and a focus routine. Where the scope landed I setup the camera to take some 10 minute exposures. After 12 exposures I took the frames inside and was surprised to see Trifid in the frame also. This is all 12 shots combined in IP3, dark subtracted only.

Imaged with Qhy8 OSC on my Tak FS102 with the focal reducer fitted.

Interesting resulting image but I could have taken a look at the start and adjusted the framing a bit better.

The second image was a bit of a reprocess in the light o day, paying closer attention to the core of lagoon and the depth and contrast of the background starfield.

RB (Andrew) · #2 29-05-2009, 10:10 AM

V.nice shot Doug.

Craig_L · #3 29-05-2009, 01:43 PM

Hi Doug,

Nice colours but could you be a tad out in the focussing given its a Tak?

jase (Jason) · #4 29-05-2009, 02:37 PM

Not bad work Doug. At least for a pot shot i.e. point and shoot with little planning. Framing is tight. I'd like a little more "space" around the targets. If you're game, you could try a two panel mosaic. Thanks for sharing.

Alchemy (Clive) · #5 29-05-2009, 03:31 PM

not bad for pot luck imaging 2 for the price of 1, trying to cram a large starfield into 200kb is difficult and doesnt reflect the detail present in the full image. the fsq106 might frame them in better so you can get it all in. look forward to seeing the new scope at work.

cheers clive

Tamtarn · #6 29-05-2009, 09:12 PM

The 2nd repro looks good Doug. 12 x 10 mins brought out some nice detail. Processing on this one looks great

Hagar (Doug) · #7 29-05-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jase

Not bad work Doug. At least for a pot shot i.e. point and shoot with little planning. Framing is tight. I'd like a little more "space" around the targets. If you're game, you could try a two panel mosaic. Thanks for sharing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alchemy

not bad for pot luck imaging 2 for the price of 1, trying to cram a large starfield into 200kb is difficult and doesnt reflect the detail present in the full image. the fsq106 might frame them in better so you can get it all in. look forward to seeing the new scope at work.

cheers clive

Thank for the comments. I will be spending some time trying multiple objects like this when I get the new scope. With the FSQ with a focal length of 530mm and with the reducer it's out at 387mm I should have some scope to image wider items and put a few stars and space around things. The extender will lift the FL to 850 which is about the same as this FS102. With the reducer this scope is somewhere about 630mm.

With any luck I should have it next week which will give me a little time to overhaul the G11 and get rid of the resultant bad weather before the next new moon.

Looks like I am keeping The FS as well as it's not selling but my wife will never know. She's not too worried anyway. It is a very nice scope and if the FSQ is up to or above the standard of this scope I will be very happy. Well worth the money. Time will tell.

Hagar (Doug) · #8 29-05-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamtarn

The 2nd repro looks good Doug. 12 x 10 mins brought out some nice detail. Processing on this one looks great

Thanks Guy's, I kinda like the second one myself. It is amazing what you see wrong with an image that you originally worked on in the wee hours then attack again after some shut eye.

Glad you liked it.

leon · #9 30-05-2009, 03:54 PM

Fine effort Doug, I do have to agree with Jase though, but then I like the wide field stuff, just MHO, great capture.

Leon

RobF (Rob) · #10 30-05-2009, 08:31 PM

Be interesting to see more images as you explore the new possibilities Doug. Fascintating to see the extra detail you've drawn out of no.2

Bit of sleep and a 2nd go can definitely work wonders sometimes. Mind you I have trouble judging colour during the day sometimes with all the extra light in the room - my image processing seems to go better as a nocturnal activity.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #11 30-05-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagar

Looks like I am keeping The FS as well as it's not selling but my wife will never know. She's not too worried anyway. It is a very nice scope and if the FSQ is up to or above the standard of this scope I will be very happy. Well worth the money. Time will tell.

hehe... good on you Doug. Everyone I know who has sold their FS regrets it... irrespective of what replaced it. I'm looking at the FSQ as well, and I'll mount all three on the G11 when it arrives. The FS102 will carry the DSLR, the FSQ will sport the SBIG and the FS60 will guide with the QHY5. Top setup I reckon.

Nice Lagoon and Trifid BTW!

Hagar (Doug) · #12 31-05-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

hehe... good on you Doug. Everyone I know who has sold their FS regrets it... irrespective of what replaced it.
Nice Lagoon and Trifid BTW!

Thanks Chris. The FS will no doubt be missed but the best scopes are the ones you use and with the FSQ and the Vixen I am covering quite a range off focal lengths and feel the FS would end up in a corner and would be better sold to someone who will make use of this fine instrument.