The Cocoon Nebula

Hi,
Well, I worked with the data on this one to see if I could get something worthwhile from it. This is the result, hope you like it.
Cocoon RGBL
Equipment used

AstroTech AT8RC
ST2000xm Camera
Televue .8x Reducer
Astrodon Gen2 RGBL Filters
Self Autoguided with ST2000xm
G-11 Mount

Exposure Specs

R=8 x 10 min
G=6 x 10 min
B=6 x 10 min
L =13 x 10 min

Attached Image:

Very nice Floyd.

Greg.

Hi all, thanks for the comments.
I am still working on external guiding, hopefully I will work out the bugs this next New Moon weekend. Lots of new things, new PHD version with bug fixes, new mounting for the guide camera using direct attachment with T-Thread adapters, tightened all the mounting system to insure no play and worked on the focuser to remove any flex in the drawtube. Maybe with all this I can get it to work properly without elongation? Sure hope so because narrow band is more difficult with the internal guide chip.

Great job on a beautiful object. You really captured a since of depth on this ball of glowing gas. The colors in the cocoon are out of this world.

Your NP101 will also make this kitten purr. Just be certain that you don't center the object in the FOV....a dark nebula that trails off to one side is a real treat!

Best,

David

Beautiful shot Floyd! 8)

Definitely "something worthwhile" from the data. The color and shadings agree with my monitor. This is one where it would be a real challenge to get good data on the nebulosity and maintain star color.

And I REALLY feel your pain about external guide scopes. (Actually I was wondering about getting/using an NP101 so I would have the option of trading functions and using the 16" as the guide scope.)

Charlie

Floyd,
Looks like it came out pretty nice. Good job.

Terrific job on this, Floyd!

Eric