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Lion Nebula SH2-132 - RC71

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Posts Made By: Thomas V Davis

May 6, 2006 10:06 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

New FOV test on AP 155EDF f/7

Posted By Thomas V Davis
I tried a TV 0.8 reducer (for TV102) on my AP 155EDF f/7 last PM to see how it would do. I took 150s exposures through a clear filter times 5 to get this image of the field around M13. The camera was an STL11k. The reducer reduces the scope to f/5.6. I did not try to process out the moon's gradient. This is almost the full field -- I cropped only slightly. It appears that the reducer will work with this scope, although I'd like a dedicated one made for the scope by AP! This reducer would likely be an excellent match for refractors with slighty shorter fl such as a TEC140 or AP 130EDFS.

Tom

May 25, 2006 05:07 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M8/M20 region seen in H-alpha

Posted By Thomas V Davis
I took this last night. I'm clouded out tonight so no getting the color data. I'll post the H-alpha version for now.

AP 105 EDFS f/6
STL11k
Ha 6nm 150 minutes

Best,
Tom

June 1, 2006 02:30 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M8/M20 region in HaRGB

Posted By Thomas V Davis
I finished this last night. There is an amazing number of stars, clusters and nebulae in this region. The dynamic range of M8 is a challenge in processing!

I shot this same area years ago with film. The CCD and film images look similar but the CCD is much deeper.

AP 105EDF f/6
STL-11000M
HaRGB 150:40:35:40 minutes

Comments and/or criticisms welcome.
Best,
Tom

June 18, 2006 02:03 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Test of a new scope -- Eastern Veil

Posted By Thomas V Davis
I finally had a chance to use my custom 250mm f/4 aspherical Mak Newt astrograph last PM. The skies were clear but the jet stream is overhead; seeing was moderately poor FWHM 2.8. This is a test image of the Eastern Veil. Each STL11k frame was 300 seconds and 4 frames were stacked for a total of 20 minutes. I'm pleased with the detail in the nebula, the depth from such a short exposure, and I can't believe the number of stars!! Although it looks like a gradient in the right portion of the image, there is none. The imcreased background brightness is due to faint portions of nebulosity and increased stars.

I think the test went well. Now to get some RGB frames.

Any thoughts?

Best,
Tom


June 18, 2006 02:06 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Next test image with new scope -- vdB142

Posted By Thomas V Davis
This image is another test image using my new 250mm f/4 Mak Newt astrograph. The camera was an STL11k. The H-alpha filter was 6nm. Eight frames of 900 seconds each were stacked to give this 2 hour test exposure. I'm pleased with the depth and detail. New to get some RGB.....

http://www.tvdavisastropics.com/astroimages-1_000050.htm

Any thoughts?

Best,
Tom

June 22, 2006 04:03 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

vdB142 in HaRRGB

Posted By Thomas V Davis
I got the color frames last night. Here is my "first light" in color of my new astrograph. It will take a few images to get a hang of how this scope cathers light and what willl be the best RGB ratios.

Anyway, here it is......

http://www.tvdavisastropics.com/astroimages-1_000051.htm

Mak Newt 250mm f/4 aspherical astrograph
STL-11000M
HaRRGB (120,30):30:30:30 minutes

Best,
Tom

June 24, 2006 02:07 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

A Very Dirty Flower -- NGC7023

Posted By Thomas V Davis
Here is my version of NGC7023, the Iris Nebula, taken with the new mak newt astrograph. That celestial flower is growing in a whole lot of dirt!!

http://www.tvdavisastropics.com/astroimages-1_000052.htm

Best,

Tom

June 26, 2006 04:15 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

A lesser known area in Sagittarius; IC1283-4

Posted By Thomas V Davis
I thought I'd try something not frequently imaged. It's not my best work (I think it would need more exposure time) but it does show some lesser known nebulae.

http://www.tvdavisastropics.com/astroimages-1_000053.htm

Best,
Tom

July 2, 2006 11:31 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

NGC6822 Barnard's Galaxy with mixed data

Posted By Thomas V Davis
I've been trying to redo this one but the monsoon weather pattern has not been cooperating. I was able to get some RGB data with the 10" mak newt but I haven't been able to get the Ha or Clear data due to nightly thunderstorms. So, in the spirit of impatience, I combined the RGB data from the mak newt and from my prior AP image with the Ha/clear AP data taken last year to get this LRGB. I'm not completely happy with the image but until the clouds bug out it will have to do. Still, it shows the bar nicely and the one arm. This is one dim galaxy that could use twice the exposure time I've given it.

The image specs are something like:

(LHa)RGB (180,180):100:100:100 minutes

Best,
Tom

July 14, 2006 03:24 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M27's lion's mane

Posted By Thomas V Davis
I was doing some testing last night under the bright moon. M27 was my target. The outer shell was my goal. Here is the prelim. Hopefully the color data will follow later this month.

250mm f/4 Mak Newt astrograph
H-alpha 6nm 90 minutes

Best,
Tom

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