VDB 142

VDB (Van den Berg) 142 is a dark/emission nebula that is a small part of the larger complex nebula IC 1396 in Cepheus.

Ever since I saw its haunting yet captivating shape, I knew that I wanted to image this object. From this perspective, it looks either like an Elephant Trunk, which it is sometimes referred as, or a gnarled tree root, or perhaps some mysterious hooded figure emerging from a mist. A Nazgul or Ring Wraith, from Lord of the Rings perhaps (http://www.alleycatscratch.com/lotr/Nasty/RingWraith.htm)?

Imaging details:
Takahashi FS102
Astro-Physics 0.67 Telecompressor
Takahashi EM200 mount
Imaging camera: SBIG ST-8XE
CFW-8a filter wheel with Custom Scientific H-alpha filter
Guide scope: Borg 76ED
Guide Camera: SBIG ST-7E
Robin Casady 14" Tandem Bar

8 x 20 minute images

Calibrated in CCDSoft
Combined in MaximDL
2 iterations of Lucy-Richardson deconvolution in CCDSharp
Levels and Curves in Photoshop CS

This is my first attempt at imaging with a separate guidescope. I can't say enough about the Robin Casady Tandem bar. There was no differential flexure visible at all. Narrowband imaging just became a lot more feasible for me.

A small image is attached. A bigger version can be found here: http://members.nuvox.net/~on.aunt/DSO/VDB142Big.jpg

Comments and suggestions welcome.
Thanks for looking!
Eric

Attached Image:

This is one of my favorite objects too. You did a nice job!

Cal

Thanks, everyone! I dabbled in H-alpha imaging last year, and was never satisfied with the results I got. This year, I decided to go for longer exposures at a faster f-ratio (the FS102 with the 0.67 reducer was theoretically at around f/5.5). Results are promising. Now, to save up for an O-III and S-II filter

Eric

Eric,
You have captured great detail in this portion of IC1396. I have an old (early) image of this object. Your image makes me want to go back and try it again. Thanks for sharing.

Well done, Eric. Even the large image looks good.
Are you the luckiest guy in the world? Your first time with a separate guide scope and you didn't have flexure issues. Where's the sense of accomplishment there?

dan kowall

What a beautiful object, and so nicely imaged.... thanks for sharing it with us!!