Sh2-263 and vdB 38

[jthommes]

This cloud complex is part reflection nebula (vdB 38) and part emission nebula (Sh2-263, LBN 867 / 866). These bright structures have entries in multiple catalogs with always some discrepancy in cross identification. Additional references are Ced 44, GN05.19.0, and Magakian 97. The illuminating / energizing star is HD 34989 (TYC700-1015-1 in the annotation) which is part of the very large lambda orionis association (Collinder 69 cluster) to the northeast - outside of this image field.

Also in this image are the dark nebulae LDN 1588 and TGU H1377 P9; open cluster Dolidze 19; and several background galaxies and a galaxy group.

Image and details can be accessed at the link below (or by clicking on the Sh2-263, LBN 867, and vdB 38 thumbnail image below). Full size image can be accessed from the image webpage and has an image scale of 1.76 arcsec/pixel. The annotated image link is provided below, but that can also be accessed from the image webpage.

An interesting processing note - I treated the blue exposures as OIII data and applied it in my starless NB pixel math combine. While it is (of course) not NB data, the processing approach worked reasonably well.

• • 
    Sh2-263, LBN 867, and vdB 38

Annotated Image:
Sh2-263, LBN 867, and vdB 38 Annotated

Scope: Explore Scientific MN152 at f/4.8
Camera: ST8300M (Baader Ha LRGB filters)
Location: DAA Observatory, Shelter Valley, CA

[Juno16]

Absolutely beautiful image Jim!

The colors are captivating!

[Greenman]

Jim that is just stunning, the full resolution is just a perfect match of astronomy and the art of photography.

[MariusD69]

Very impressive! Great work, Jim!!

[Graeme1858]

Nice image Jim.

There certainly is a lot going on in the clicked version. The reflection is really subtle.

Regards

Graeme

[BABOafrica]

At first I thought you were showing us an image of one of the headlights on your truck.

Wow, that is one powerful nebula... Or at least you make it look that way.

Glaringly bright. And beautiful blue color.

BABO

[SkyHiker]

Again a fantastic image by you Jim.

I am thrilled that your imaging scope is the same Mak-Newt that I have. I completed building a good OnStep controller for my G11S. Looking at your equipment, next up are an astro cam and filters, and training for imaging at a dark site. It will be next summer I think...

[jthommes]

Thanks for the comments folks.

At first I thought you were showing us an image of one of the headlights on your truck.
Wow, that is one powerful nebula... Or at least you make it look that way.
Glaringly bright. And beautiful blue color.

BABO

Yeah, the bright star lambda ori needs to be tamed a bit in the processing when bringing the nebula signal up. Its bright.

Again a fantastic image by you Jim.
I am thrilled that your imaging scope is the same Mak-Newt that I have. I completed building a good OnStep controller for my G11S. Looking at your equipment, next up are an astro cam and filters, and training for imaging at a dark site. It will be next summer I think...

Thanks for the comment. Its always interesting to hear of others with similar equipment as what one is using. It's always good to have plans for your next steps in your imaging progression - summer probably comes sooner than you think. For me, I am moving to CMOS cameras and smaller pixels. I have to ask - what is a "OnStep controller"?

[dcrowson]

Jim,

really nice. This is one that I haven't managed to image yet.

Thanks for posting,

Dan

[SkyHiker]

Again a fantastic image by you Jim.
I am thrilled that your imaging scope is the same Mak-Newt that I have. I completed building a good OnStep controller for my G11S. Looking at your equipment, next up are an astro cam and filters, and training for imaging at a dark site. It will be next summer I think...

Thanks for the comment. Its always interesting to hear of others with similar equipment as what one is using. It's always good to have plans for your next steps in your imaging progression - summer probably comes sooner than you think. For me, I am moving to CMOS cameras and smaller pixels. I have to ask - what is a "OnStep controller"?

OnStep is an Arduino-based DIY controller with open source software founded by Howard Dutton. I used it as a cheap and fun alternative to Gemini. I use it from a cell phone Android app over Bluetooth for alignment, and via a Raspberry Pi running Ekos for autoguiding, plate solving, planetarium control, etcetera. Here's a picture of the two sitting next to each other (never mind the packaging).

Once this all works reliable (I think it does if it weren't for me) I will start looking into an astro camera and LRGB filters, perhaps NB.

[Gordon]

Congratulations Jim on having your image selected as todays TSS APOD!

app.php/article/10-15-2020-tss-astropho ... of-the-day

[helicon]

Fantastic image Jim and Congrats on winning the APOD for today.

[Makuser]

Hi Jim. This is a rare image of the Sharpless263 and the VdB38 region. Very nice reflection blue and emission red nebulosity colors in your capture. And, I especially enjoyed your annotated version too. Thanks Jim for sharing this work with us, and congratulations on winning the TSS APOS Award today.

[jthommes]

Again a fantastic image by you Jim.
I am thrilled that your imaging scope is the same Mak-Newt that I have. I completed building a good OnStep controller for my G11S. Looking at your equipment, next up are an astro cam and filters, and training for imaging at a dark site. It will be next summer I think...

Thanks for the comment. Its always interesting to hear of others with similar equipment as what one is using. It's always good to have plans for your next steps in your imaging progression - summer probably comes sooner than you think. For me, I am moving to CMOS cameras and smaller pixels. I have to ask - what is a "OnStep controller"?

OnStep is an Arduino-based DIY controller with open source software founded by Howard Dutton. I used it as a cheap and fun alternative to Gemini. I use it from a cell phone Android app over Bluetooth for alignment, and via a Raspberry Pi running Ekos for autoguiding, plate solving, planetarium control, etcetera. Here's a picture of the two sitting next to each other (never mind the packaging).

20200913_115054.jpg

Once this all works reliable (I think it does if it weren't for me) I will start looking into an astro camera and LRGB filters, perhaps NB.

Wow that's cool! Did you want the added capability onboard at your mount or did your Gemini controller break? (Or both?). Is there a link for the hardware build? I assume you use an RDP protocol to get to the raspberry PI? Or is it something else? I don't think I would do it, but just curious.

[jthommes]

Michael, Marshal,
Thanks for the comments.

Gordon,
Thanks for the APOD

[SkyHiker]

Wow that's cool! Did you want the added capability onboard at your mount or did your Gemini controller break? (Or both?). Is there a link for the hardware build? I assume you use an RDP protocol to get to the raspberry PI? Or is it something else? I don't think I would do it, but just curious.

I never had a Gemini just a 492 controller. So this replaces the Gemini but combined with Ekos running on the Pi it has more than that. After I'm done aligning with the cell phone I start Ekos and log in remotely with VNC from my Android tablet, a Galaxy Tab A. All of them use very little power and don't have keyboards that can fail in the weather.

[BABOafrica]

Yeah, the bright star lambda ori needs to be tamed a bit in the processing when bringing the nebula signal up. Its bright.

The star is certainly bright and you obviously tamed it perfectly. What surprised me is that the reflection nebula around the star is almost as bright as the star itself.

Congrats on the TSS award. Well deservered.

BABO

[Ruud]

Wonderful colours, Jim, and a beautiful image. Thanks & kudos.

[Ylem]

Stunning Jim!!!
Wow!!!!

[jrkirkham]

Congratulations on the APOD