Sidoneod M42 with core detail

[allan gould]

Finally the very last night of 2010 I managed to get core detail for M42 with the 10"SCT that I could add to the 5" data just before the clouds rolled in for another wet day. Had to wait sooooooo long for a clear night to test out some new corrector distances with the camera. Forgive the compression artifacts but I think the detail is improved.

[sheeny (Al)]

Very nice Al!

Al.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Stunning image Allan.

[Hagar (Doug)]

Great Image Allan, The core is a work of art. Well done.

[allan gould]

Al, Phil and Doug
Thanks for the kind comments. M42 is one of those objects that can really challenge all you know about photoshop and all its intricacies and then you never quite know when to stop processing the image.
I realised while looking at the shot while manipulating it that the 10" just beats every other scope I have and that Im seriously thinking of a 12-12.5 astrograph to cover a good chip size. Just have to get SWMBO to think its her idea. Cant think of what to get but was looking seriously at this RC scope http://deepskyinstruments.com/rc10c.htm

[batema (Mark)]

Allan,
Great image with amazing detail. I have seen this code before but do not understand it - SWMBO. Could you tell me what it means.
Mark

[RickS (Rick)]

SWMBO = She who must be obeyed

[RobF (Rob)]

If I was going to be a nitpicker some of the stars are a little elongated in the zoomed in image, but heck its a wonderful image and a tough one to get right. You really have the gear working well.

[allan gould]

Originally Posted by RobF

If I was going to be a nitpicker some of the stars are a little elongated in the zoomed in image, but heck its a wonderful image and a tough one to get right. You really have the gear working well.

Rob
You are right, I cant get perfect stars to the edges of this scope with the QHY8. There is always some elongation. Im thinking of a new flattener and if that doesnt work getting a new scope.
But thanks for the comments. Its a mix of shots taken with the 5" refractor and 10"SCT (with flattener).
Im looking at the nextgen 0.5 flattener - that may be the go?!?

[Jutscher (Sam)]

Wow, cant wait to get even half as much detail in one of my own M42's. Nicely done

[multiweb (Marc)]

Very cool - that core really popped up.

[h0ughy (David)]

nice work Mr Gould

[ozstronomer (Geoff)]

Allan that's a lovely shot, you should be really pleased with that one. Well worth the wait to add the extra data. Lets hope the weather holds out for the first new moon of the year.

Geoff