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It was a pleasant surprise to see this nebula had strong emissions in the Ha and Oiii wavelengths. Fits perfectly with the Astro Duo-Narrowband filter. The night was extremely wet with humidity, and, everything was dripping at the end. Fortunately a small towel over the active USB cable connections kept them dry, and, the Dew Heaters kept the optics dry. The new setup with the laptop inside the house is working perfectly, and, has been a nice change for the better!
Looking forward to purchasing a cooled camera, filter wheel, and, NB filters and getting started in NB imaging. Till then, the Astro Duo-Narrowband filter is the best I can do.
IMAGE INFORMATION:
WO Star71 telescope, Canon T3 (modified), MMAG Autoguider, Astro Duo-Narrowband filter
BYEOS, PHD2
23x540 sec Lights, Bias, Flats, Darks
Processed in PixInsight
Thats a wonderful image Steve. Even the cropped version has great details.
Great work with 3.5 hours of exposure.
Wow, you are going to make the jump to nb imaging. Best of luck with that. I’m sure that you will be producing even more impressive images soon. Your current work with the Canon has been remarkable.
Jim
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
Juno16 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2020 12:38 amThats a wonderful image Steve. Even the cropped version has great details.
Great work with 3.5 hours of exposure.
Wow, you are going to make the jump to nb imaging. Best of luck with that. I’m sure that you will be producing even more impressive images soon. Your current work with the Canon has been remarkable.
Thanks Jim, I appreciate your kind words.
I've finally decided to make the change to cooled NB imaging. I see all the beautiful NB images and I see the halos from reflections with my current filters. So, lots to learn: which cooled camera to get, and, what software to control that, a filter wheel and something to control that, and which filters to get ($$$). At first I was overwhelmed, but, lots of good information on the internet to help. I've already learned how to have laptop A in the house connected to and controlling the mount/camera/filter wheel via Ethernet while I take Laptop B outside to the mount to perform the Polar Alignment while watching the laptop A screen on laptop B outside. Pretty neat.
This is certain to be a journey, but, at least I'm started on the journey.
Steve
Steve King: Light Pollution (Bortle 5)
Telescope + Mount + Guiding: W.O. Star71-ii + iOptron CEM40 EC + Orion Magnificent Mini AutoGuider
Camera: ASI 1600MM Pro + EFW Filter Wheel + Chroma 3nm Siii, Ha, Oiii + ZWO LRGB Filters
Software: PHD2; APT; PixInsight ***** My AP website: www.steveking.pictures
STEVE333 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2020 1:20 am
Thanks Jim, I appreciate your kind words.
I've finally decided to make the change to cooled NB imaging. I see all the beautiful NB images and I see the halos from reflections with my current filters. So, lots to learn: which cooled camera to get, and, what software to control that, a filter wheel and something to control that, and which filters to get ($$$). At first I was overwhelmed, but, lots of good information on the internet to help. I've already learned how to have laptop A in the house connected to and controlling the mount/camera/filter wheel via Ethernet while I take Laptop B outside to the mount to perform the Polar Alignment while watching the laptop A screen on laptop B outside. Pretty neat.
This is certain to be a journey, but, at least I'm started on the journey.
Steve
I know that it sounds like a lot, but I’m sure that there is a lot of excitement thinking about upgrading and the challenges that go along with it.
I will miss your superb dslr work!
Jim
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
I was able to pick this one up visually with the 12 inch from our suburban backyard, albeit weakly. The O-III filter definitely helped.
I will add that unfortunately many sources identify the main nebula as NGC 2174 which is incorrect. What we know as the Monkey Head Nebula is actually NGC 2175, which consists of the emission nebula + the open cluster OCL 476. NGC 2174 is a small knot within the larger complex. There is another catalogued bit around the brightest star in the cluster, HD 42088, known as IC 2159, though some folks question it as a distinct object and I admit I've had problems discerning it in the many images I've looked at. Then along the eastern side is a cluster of stars sometimes referred to as NGC 2175S, but is also catalogued as Pismis 27. I have annotated your image below with these various parts. Thanks again for wonderful image.
Alan
Scopes: Astro Sky 17.5 f/4.5 Dob || Apertura AD12 f/5 Dob || Zhumell Z10 f/4.9 Dob ||
ES AR127 f/6.5 || ES ED80 f/6 || Apertura 6" f/5 Newtonian
Mounts: ES Twilight-II and Twilight-I
EPs: AT 82° 28mm UWA || TV Ethos 100° 21mm and 13mm || Vixen LVW 65° 22mm ||
ES 82° 18mm || Pentax XW 70° 10mm, 7mm and 5mm || barlows
Filters (2 inch): DGM NPB || Orion Ultra Block, O-III and Sky Glow || Baader HaB
Primary Field Atlases: Uranometria All-Sky Edition and Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Astronomers, we look into the past to see our future." (me)
"Seeing is in some respect an art, which must be learnt." (William Herschel)
"What we know is a drop, what we don't know is an ocean." (Sir Isaac Newton)
"No good deed goes unpunished." (various)
“Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't you think?” (Scarecrow, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)
kt4hx wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2020 3:24 amSteve that is an outstanding image! :Clap:
I was able to pick this one up visually with the 12 inch from our suburban backyard, albeit weakly. The O-III filter definitely helped.
I will add that unfortunately many sources identify the main nebula as NGC 2174 which is incorrect. What we know as the Monkey Head Nebula is actually NGC 2175, which consists of the emission nebula + the open cluster OCL 476. NGC 2174 is a small knot within the larger complex. There is another catalogued bit around the brightest star in the cluster, HD 42088, known as IC 2159, though some folks question it as a distinct object and I admit I've had problems discerning it in the many images I've looked at. Then along the eastern side is a cluster of stars sometimes referred to as NGC 2175S, but is also catalogued as Pismis 27. I have annotated your image below with these various parts. Thanks again for wonderful image.
Monkey Head Complex_annotated.jpg
Thanks for the clarifications Alan. Your knowledge of the classifications and identifications is much appreciated. Thanks also for the annotated image.
Congratulations on your being able to see these things visually. I never view through my telescope anymore. In fact, I leave my camera attached to the telescope so that I can use the same set of Flats multiple times. Saves me a lot of time/effort.
Steve
Steve King: Light Pollution (Bortle 5)
Telescope + Mount + Guiding: W.O. Star71-ii + iOptron CEM40 EC + Orion Magnificent Mini AutoGuider
Camera: ASI 1600MM Pro + EFW Filter Wheel + Chroma 3nm Siii, Ha, Oiii + ZWO LRGB Filters
Software: PHD2; APT; PixInsight ***** My AP website: www.steveking.pictures
kt4hx wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2020 3:24 amSteve that is an outstanding image! :Clap:
I was able to pick this one up visually with the 12 inch from our suburban backyard, albeit weakly. The O-III filter definitely helped.
I will add that unfortunately many sources identify the main nebula as NGC 2174 which is incorrect. What we know as the Monkey Head Nebula is actually NGC 2175, which consists of the emission nebula + the open cluster OCL 476. NGC 2174 is a small knot within the larger complex. There is another catalogued bit around the brightest star in the cluster, HD 42088, known as IC 2159, though some folks question it as a distinct object and I admit I've had problems discerning it in the many images I've looked at. Then along the eastern side is a cluster of stars sometimes referred to as NGC 2175S, but is also catalogued as Pismis 27. I have annotated your image below with these various parts. Thanks again for wonderful image.
Monkey Head Complex_annotated.jpg
Thanks for the clarifications Alan. Your knowledge of the classifications and identifications is much appreciated. Thanks also for the annotated image.
Congratulations on your being able to see these things visually. I never view through my telescope anymore. In fact, I leave my camera attached to the telescope so that I can use the same set of Flats multiple times. Saves me a lot of time/effort.
Steve
I certainly understand that if someone images 100% they would leave that equipment married to the scope all the time. Makes perfect sense. As I don't have an interest in actually doing imaging myself, I live vicariously through the efforts of those who do!
I do enjoy looking at images and seeing what I can discern in them. It helps me keep my eye sharp for visual observing. Plus I do a lot of research on object identification/classifications and their histories.
Alan
Scopes: Astro Sky 17.5 f/4.5 Dob || Apertura AD12 f/5 Dob || Zhumell Z10 f/4.9 Dob ||
ES AR127 f/6.5 || ES ED80 f/6 || Apertura 6" f/5 Newtonian
Mounts: ES Twilight-II and Twilight-I
EPs: AT 82° 28mm UWA || TV Ethos 100° 21mm and 13mm || Vixen LVW 65° 22mm ||
ES 82° 18mm || Pentax XW 70° 10mm, 7mm and 5mm || barlows
Filters (2 inch): DGM NPB || Orion Ultra Block, O-III and Sky Glow || Baader HaB
Primary Field Atlases: Uranometria All-Sky Edition and Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Astronomers, we look into the past to see our future." (me)
"Seeing is in some respect an art, which must be learnt." (William Herschel)
"What we know is a drop, what we don't know is an ocean." (Sir Isaac Newton)
"No good deed goes unpunished." (various)
“Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't you think?” (Scarecrow, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)
Gordon
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED80CF, Skywatcher 200 Quattro Imaging Newt, SeeStar S50 for EAA.
Mounts: Orion Atlas EQ-g mount & Skywatcher EQ5 Pro.
ZWO mini guider.
Image cameras: ZWO ASI1600 MM Cool, ZWO ASI533mc-Pro, ZWO ASI174mm-C (for use with my Quark chromosphere), ZWO ASI120MC
Filters: LRGB, Ha 7nm, O-III 7nm, S-II 7nm
Eyepieces: a few.
Primary software: Cartes du Ciel, N.I.N.A, StarTools V1.4.
Nice image Steve and great that it was selected as today's highlighted photo! Good luck with your new processes, as well.
-Michael Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50 Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl Camera: ZWO ASI 120 Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs Latitude: 48.7229° N
Hi Steve, saw your images this morning and thought they were just great! I meant to comment but then I looked at the time...
Anyways, nicely done, and I see you won the POTD to boot; nice!
All the best,
Mark
"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4, AZ-EQ5 and SolarQuest mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.
Solar:
H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D. Member of the RASC
Great image and a. very worthy AOPD. Honestly that's the first time I've seen why it's called the monkey head- could never see it before. Of course now I'll see it in every image of that area.
Scope: Skywatcher Evostar 80ED (SW 0.85 FR/FF) on a SW NEQ6Pro
Guiding; SW Evoguide 50ED, ASI 120mm mini
Meade 8" LX200 GPS on wedge (Guided with a cheapo 50mm guidescope and a ZWO ASI 120mm mini)
Sharpstar 61EDPH II (with dedicated 0.8 reducer) with wiliam Optics 32mm uniguide
Camera: ASI2600MC pro. QHY 163M with ZWO 7nm NB filters, Canon EOS700D astro mod
Secondary mount: Skywatcher StarAdventurer
Excellent image and crop Steve. Nice to hear your inside laptop is working well for you. It's tough to have heard your laptop stolen, but maybe it leads to a better setup with the computer inside.
Congrats on the Photo of the Day!
Jim Thommes Jim's Astrophotography
David Levy Maksutov Newtonian, Celestron Edge 9.25, FSQ-106N Refractor (on loan), WO ZenithStar 66 APO Refractor, WO Megrez II APO, Sigma 150 mm EOS Lens
Losmandy G11/Gemini, iOptron GEM45, Celestron Advanced VX, iOptron CEM70
ST8300M Camera, Atik 383L, Canon 350D (IR cut modified), ASI1600M, ASI294M, ASI260M
Observatory - Desert Astronomy Association (Shelter Valley, CA)