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First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:19 pm
by ram
Hi all, I've gotten back to imaging and collected a ton of data in June so far for two targets. The ones I'm posting below are Ha only without any processing: just a simple autostretch from PI and then making sure it sticks so I can create the JPEG. I'm just excited about having new data to share.

The first is the Lion Nebula, sh2-132, which I started last fall and collected less than 30 hours but now I've gotten it to 60+ hours of data for all three filters. This is just the Ha only portion (~22 hours): I wanted to make sure it would all work since last fall everything was upside down and now it is right side up and even though PI can handle all this usually this was weird since there was no way I could get the rotation angle exactly on and it seemed there were some space curvature and/or telescope position issues making manual line up (where you just flip 180 degrees and try to match the stars with overlapping images - PI can do this - I use this as a sanity check) impossible. So I was worried about the automated process but the new PI version handled it BEAUTIFULLY, especially considering so much of this data had partial cloud cover, different seeing/lighting conditions, etc. This is probably the most inconsistent dataset I've thrown at PI. You can see the lines where the rotation problem occurred so some cropping may be necessary.

The second is the Wizard Nebula, NGC7380, about 4 hours. I've been meaning to do this for a while but I had to remove the reducer on my FC100DF*** so I could get it to fill the frame a bit better (you can see the consequence of not having a flattener with the corner stars and focus is difficult since my FC100DF doesn't have a microfocusser which I've just finally ordered so I can tighten this part up a bit). This is the first targete I've imaged with the FC100DF at its native focal length. Tonight I hope to collect O3 and S2 data. Might've been worth going with my FS128 but it is heavy for me and a PITA to take in and out every night but once I get my observatory (which my wife has agreed to!) then I should be able to mount it for a whole season and focus on the smaller targets.

Comments would be helpful. The Lion Nebula is very faint and I was trying hard to get the mesh at the bottom which shows up the most with the O3 filter and I have about 23 hours of data which I hope will be enough (otherwise since I've changed my setup so much now I probably will have to come back to it another day).

*** - see also my post about about adventures Powermating which so far has failed miserably but I understand why now, having to do with the resolution of my scope vs. the sky vs. configuration.

As always, thanks for looking!

--Ram
sh2-132_Ha.v1.jpg
ngc7380_Ha.v0.jpg

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:25 pm
by helicon
Great shots Ram - thanks for sharing them.

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:55 pm
by Graeme1858
Nice images Ram. The lion really stands out in Ha. Looking forward to seeing the finished work.

Regards

Graeme

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 11:57 pm
by Hankmeister3
Sweet! Thanks for sharing, Ram.

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2020 8:43 am
by MariusD69
Great images! Well done!

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2020 8:57 pm
by STEVE333
Hi Ram - You're killing me! Complaining about having less than 30 hours on a target? I only wish I had the stamina to collect that much data on a single target. Enough of my complaining!!

The Ha data on the Lion is spectacular. No noise to be found. What a pleasure that must be to process. Even at 22 hours the body of the lion is still on the faint side. This is a challenging target. Look forward to the finished product.

The Wizard data looks much more like what I'm used to seeing. The target is all there, but, the fainter nebulosity is not all filled in. That will definitely take a bit of noise reduction. Look forward to seeing the finished version of this one too.

Nice looking work.

Steve

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2020 9:33 pm
by Greenman
Lovely images Ram, dedication certainly pays off - I too wait to see the completed work.

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2020 4:55 pm
by Gordon
Congratulations Ram on having your image selected as todays TSS APOD!

app.php/article/6-21-2020-tss-astrophot ... of-the-day

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2020 5:00 pm
by Dragonsfire
Congrats on the APOD :)

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2020 6:02 pm
by Ruud
Wonderful images, ram, and congrats on the APOD!

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2020 7:35 pm
by ram
Thanks again Gordon for the selection and thanks for pointing it out Ruud!

I highly recommend everyone check out STEVE333's processing of the Lion nebula data based on his removing stars technique which is stunningly impressive to me, from where I was getting frustrated to opening up a world of possibilities: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=11167#p95059

Thanks all - since I've returned, this forum has kept me busy with ideas and encouragement and I love it.

--Ram

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2020 10:49 pm
by TheButcher
Very Nice ram and Congrats on the APOD!

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2020 6:30 pm
by Makuser
Hello Ram. Some very nice images of the Lion Nebula, sh2-132 and the Wizard Nebula, NGC7380 In H alpha light. Great wispy nebulosity and details in your captures. Thanks for sharing the view Ram, and congratulations on winning the TSS APOD Award.

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 8:55 pm
by Astrovetteman
Hey Ram....nothing better than TOT.....always pays off!
Fantastic Images!
Tom

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 9:27 pm
by jthommes
Excellent Ram. Congrats on the APOD.

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2020 12:22 am
by ic_1101
Beautiful image Ram, well deserved APOD! Congrats!

Re: First images from 2020: Sh2-132 and NGC7380 in Ha - with and without reducer

Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2020 1:46 am
by Kanadalainen
Really nice Ram!