NGC 752 - Open Cluster in Andromeda

Dear group,

Cat and mouse games last night with the partially-clouded skies and where I managed to capture NGC 752 in Andromeda. This particular cluster is very old for an open cluster (1.6 billion years-old) and spans 50' in apparent diameter. It is wel-populated and provides for a most impressive field of view.

For a result based on two hours total exposure time, please see http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-NGC-0752.htm ... the image is hyperlinked and which leads to an even more impressive higher resolution version.

Transparency this evening is so-so for now but I hope to pursue the Perseus Double Cluster around midnight when the skies are usually darkest.

Anthony.

Anthony Ayiomamitis said:

Dear group,

Cat and mouse games last night with the partially-clouded skies and where I managed to capture NGC 752 in Andromeda. This particular cluster is very old for an open cluster (1.6 billion years-old) and spans 50' in apparent diameter. It is wel-populated and provides for a most impressive field of view.

For a result based on two hours total exposure time, please see http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-NGC-0752.htm ... the image is hyperlinked and which leads to an even more impressive higher resolution version.

Anthony.

I think I can speak for all of us when I say what high esteem I/we have for your work, which we've seen in magazines as well as the net. But I have to say the diffraction spikes don't do it for me. A lower magnification picture (to allow the cluster to appear concentrated) without spikes would be more up my alley. Roland goes to all that work to make pinpoint stars without false color and there we go with spikes with false color in 'em.

Anyhow, it's a question of style, there are other people doing good work who make different choices, I don't begrudge you your preferences. But if you take comments from the public, I would say that, as a general rule, I like my spikes from instruments that have to make spikes, and I value the images that refractors can make without them.

I think a few people have expressed this view before so I'll close there, and say again, that I like your work and when I see your name attached to a pic I take a good long look at it because I know there is real craftsmanship and artistry.

regards
Greg N