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M20 Trifid Nebula in LRGBHa

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Posts Made By: Alec Hitchman

September 11, 2006 07:19 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

"Pillars of Intelligent Design"....

Posted By Alec Hitchman
..."Pillars of Creation" was already used, so I figured that "Pillars of Intelligent Design" was a nice provocative name for this detail shot of NGC6820 that was taken last night, 9/10/06.

Sum of 15 5-min H-alpha subs through 14" LX200 @ F3.5, using MX716.

Thanks for looking, and comments/critcisms are welcome!

Keith

September 11, 2006 07:22 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Detail of Bubble Nebula

Posted By Alec Hitchman
Inspired by the excellent images of Caldwell 11 posted by Roland and others, I decided to give a go at the Bubble.

My guiding was poor, resulting in only 16 usable 5-minute subs out of 50 shot!

Taken with MX716, 14" LX200 @ F3.3, through Astronomik 13nm H-alpha filter.

Thanks for looking!

Keith

September 13, 2006 02:58 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Closeup of Caldwell 19

Posted By Alec Hitchman
Here is another 14" LX200 f3.3 closeup, this time of Caldwell 19. I have more data to stack on this later. Mistakenly saved the image after I added the distraction spikes (intentional spelling!), so will have to redo.

15 5-minute subs, with 10 more waiting in the wings.

Keith

September 18, 2006 03:58 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

NGC891 Luminance

Posted By Alec Hitchman
I have always liked this galaxy; 200 minutes total exposure with MX716 on 14" LX200 @ f/3.3, with broadband light pollution filter.

Clear skies,

Keith

September 26, 2006 04:39 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

First MaximDL Mosaic Attempt: Andromeda Galaxy

Posted By Alec Hitchman
I have tried and tried to get color data for some of my B/W shots, but the Orion Starshoot is just too noisy compared to my MX716. I have to get a color filter wheel, I guess.

Anyhow, I decided to practice using Maxim's Mosaic feature.

Here is a mosaic of 2x4 frames, shot with Mx716 on ZS66SD, with a IDAS NBN-PV filter. Guided via MaximDl with a DSI Pro through the 14" LX200 @f3.3

I really goofed up the post-processing, and created huge gradients. I mistakenly saved over my originals, so I have to take the mosaic subs again to improve this one!! Doh!

Total of 8 panels, with 9x5min for each panel, luminance only.

Keith

September 27, 2006 03:30 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Second Try at Andromeda Luminance

Posted By Alec Hitchman
I tried to take my mosaic again, but two of the frames had guiding issues. Also, my frame spacing should be smaller to avoid some sliver gaps.

I did not mess up the frames during processing, though, so that was kind of encouraging.

I plan on trying to get a nights worth of R, G, and B before Mr. Moon interferes too much, then I will switch to an Ha mosaic. I will probably have to wait until next new moon to get another set of luminance.

Does anyone have suggestions as to which color, R, G, or B can tolerate moonlight better? I have three nights of data to get, and I start around 20:30, so I am going to have moonlight issues with my third set....which color should that be? Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks, Keith

September 28, 2006 12:49 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Which color to shoot with young waxing moon?

Posted By Alec Hitchman
Hello,

I need to get some color data for my M31 mosaic, and I am going to be having moonlight issues here in another night or two. Which of the RGB colors will be least sensitive to the moonlight?

Thanks,
Keith

October 14, 2006 03:18 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

California Nebula H-alpha Mosaic

Posted By Alec Hitchman
While waiting to get my mosaic of Andromeda complete, I slewed over to Perseus for another quick mosaic with the Astronomik H-a, ZS66 and Mx716. It's really big, got as much as I could.

Six frames, 30 minutes each. Colorized using Astronomy actions in CS2.

Keith

October 26, 2006 02:53 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

First stab at my Andromeda Mosaic

Posted By Alec Hitchman
This is my first real attempt at a color mosaic, and it's a real bear.

I think I need to spend time with each layer (L,R,G,B) before making the color image.

Also, this could definately use more time.

Using straight H-a for my red channel, which may not be a good idea.

Total time is 50:45:20:30 for L:Ha:G:B.

Any suggestions for improvement would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Keith

January 21, 2007 10:22 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

First Tri-color Narrowband Shot

Posted By Alec Hitchman
All,

Here is my first tri-color narrowband image; also the first new image I have been able to take since October.

I have some more H-a subs, and some other shorts for the core, which I will add later.

HashockedIII:SII, 30m:30m:30m

Saturation is probably off.

Thanks for looking!

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