Posts Made By: Tyler Allred

Hi all. I used the narrowband data that I recently posted for M97 and added it to an image I have been working on of M108 and M97 together in the same frame. The M108 and M97 original data was taken with the CM-10 camera, which bloomed quite a bit. I'm still pretty bad at handling the blooms. I added the narrowband data to the original data, and here is the result:

http://www.allred-astro.com/gpage8.html

Be sure to click the image until you get to the full version.

Comments and suggestions are always welcome.
Cheers,
Tyler

Hi all. This panorama was taken last night using "high dynamic range" (HDR) techniques. It is composed of five HDR frames that were stitched together using the "Photomerge" command in Photoshop. Each HDR frame was constructed using Photomatix Pro, a program that combines a range of exposures into a single frame that retains detail in both the light and dark areas. All the individual frames had lost detail, either in the highlights or the dark areas. When combined, detail is retained in the bright areas of the sky and in the much darker foreground areas. The technique requires a bit of processing time, but results in an image that is much closer to the way our eyes see such a scene. Comments and suggestions are always appreciated.
Cheers,
Tyler

Hi all. I imaged M13 briefly last night while waiting for the Crescent Nebula to rise. Here is the result.

Now the sad story. When I finally got around to the Crescent Nebula, it was about 2:00 AM. I took a few frames of Ha at 10 minutes each, but decided I should go with a 20 minute exposure time. I stopped the camera, and made the change to the setup screen, then went in the house without hitting the "Start" button. When I wiped the sleep from my eyes and went back out at 5:30 AM, the camera had been sitting idle all night. What a BUMMER! This was the first clear night in weeks and I blew it. This is the second time that exact thing has happened. The problem is that when you hit the "OK" button in the setup screen, it feels like you just started the camera, but you actually need to hit the "Start" button on the followup screen. Maybe the MaxIm guys could change the button label on the setup screen to "Accept Changes" or something else that makes it more obvious that you are not starting the camera. I love the software, and the problem is obviously my own, but in the middle of the night I need all the brain help I can get!

Anyway, I hope you like the M13 image.
Cheers,
Tyler

Hi all. Here is a shot of the Milky Way from Sagittarius to Cygnus, taken under extremely dark skies at high altitude in Idaho. I thought it turned out really nice. Notice the darker dusty areas near the core. This was taken with a 14mm Nikkor on a D700 at ISO6400 for 30 seconds. Enjoy this different look at our own galaxy.
Cheers,
Tyler

Hi all. Here is a narrowband image of M27, taken last night. I was a little surprised at the amount of OIII emissions in the area. This is a full resolution crop of a Ha-OIII-OIII image with roughly 3 hours of OIII data and 2 hours of Ha, taken with my ASA N8 and Starlight Xpress SXVF-H16 camera. What an interesting object! Comments are always welcome.
Cheers,
Tyler

Hi all. Here is my latest effort with the ASA and H16 combo. It is a Ha-OIII-OIII image, but I pushed the color of the OIII toward blue (just because I like it better that way). I know it has been done many times, but I always find it to be an intriguing object. Let me know what you think of this version.
Cheers,
Tyler

Hi all. I ran my ASA scope collecting Ha data all night last night on the Pelican Nebula (IC5070), and ended up getting 290 minutes that was useable. I was taking 10 minute subs, but could easily have gone to 20 minutes. I didn't because I had a little wind, and I really hate it when a 20 minute sub drops off the camera and it has been ruined by a gust of wind! :C Here is the result. Let me know what you think.
Cheers,
Tyler

Hi all. I spent the last two nights imaging NGC6960 in hydrogen alpha and OIII. Everything now seems to be working well with my new setup. The mount tracked pretty well: the camera worked great: and the scope seems to be collimated well. Here is a reduced version showing the result of my efforts.

A full version with details is here:
http://www.allred-astro.com/gpage8.html

Be sure to click the thumbnail a couple of times to get to the full version. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Cheers,
Tyler

Hi all. I have had several good nights this week... what a change! Anyway, despite the bright moon, I have been imaging away using my Optec narrowband filters. Here a a version of the Bubble Nebula in Ha. I think I included about a dozen 20 minute exposures (I pruned a few out). This is the reduced version...

Scope: ASA N8
Mount: Losmandy G-11/Gemini
Camera: Starlight Xpress SXVF-H16
Filter Wheel: FLI CFW-2-7
Filter: Optec Ha

Hi all. Here is M17 in Ha and OIII wavelengths. Fresh from last night. It is a work in progress, and I will probably try to add some additional data tonight. This is reduced 50%. Thoughts and comments are always appreciated.
Cheers,
Tyler