Trifid Nebula, M20 on Aug 21, 2020. 65×15 sec, Gain 30, Offset 218, Optolong L-eNhance filter, QHY183c at -10C, Televue TV-85 at F/5.6.
Here’s a very short run I did on the Trifid Nebula. An extra short quickie with only minimal processing. I was interrupted by a couple of young gents who saw me imaging in the front parking lot and wanted to see what I was up to. They also wanted to see Jupiter, so I obliged. By the time I got back to the Trifid, it was already about to go behind a tree. Oh, well…
I am hoping to get this object with about an hour of exposure at least, if not more. To that end, I added what I had taken before with my SN8 and Canon XT camera to see how it might look. The additional data was 54 minutes of 3 min ISO 800 subs. It is about a half-n-half blend:
Combined data from SN8 scope and Televue TV-85 scopes, about 70 minutes total.
M8, the Lagoon Nebula on Aug 21, 2020. 240×15 sec, Gain 30, Offset 218 QHY183c at -10C, Optolong L-eNhance filter, Televue TV-85 at F/5.6.
I had been wanting to get some data on this one for quite some time. Finally, a clear night with no big commitments the next work day came along on Thursday evening, Aug 20, 2020 and I got my chance.
I setup my rig in the front parking lot of the place where I stay at instead of the usual back alleyway. It was the only place to get a clear view without trees and street light glare interfering.
I used the Optolong L-eNhance filter, which works really well for this object. I did an hour’s worth of exposure, which was enough to tamp down the noise enough for a decent final image. It could use more and I might add to it later if I get the chance.
Witch’s Broom Nebula. 1.75 hours in 30 sec sub-images, gain 42, offset 150, QHY183c at -15C, UHC-S filter, Televue TV-85 at F/5.6.The Moon on Aug 8, 2020. 7 frames stacked with SharpCap 3.2 LiveStack, UHC-S filter, QHY183c at -15C, Televue TV-85 at F/5.6.Pacman Nebula – 188×15 sec, Gain 30, Offset 150, QHY183c at -10C, UHC-S filter, Televue TV-85 at F/5.6.
The night of August 7th/8th, 2020 was relatively clear, but hot and slightly muggy. Average transparency at first and below average towards the end of the night. I wanted to get out to my dark sky site, but at the last minute decided to stay in the big city, being that the conditions were not ideal.
I observed quite a few things and did quickies on them and some of the images are not really worth being posted. Here is one below of the Ring Nebula, which was. I was actually after the little galaxy next to the ring, IC 1296, which my Canon cameras never showed despite shooting the ring with them from much darker locations. It is nearly 15th magnitude and even dimmer in blue light, where it predominantly radiates
Ring Nebula and IC 1296. 372×15 sec, QHY183c, Gain 30, Offset 50, -10C cooling, UHC-S filter, Televue TV85 at F/5.6.
Below is a rendition from previous sessions data and this nights efforts.
Ring Nebula and IC 1296. 34×30, 4×15 sec, Gain 42, Offset 100, 372×15 sec, Gain 30, offset 50, QHY183c -10C to -15C,, UHC-S filter, Televue TV85 at F/5.6.
Finally, with the Witch’s Broom Nebula data from this night and 2 other nights, I combined the data to make this updated rendition of the W. Veil/Witch’s Broom Nebula. Check it out:
Witch’s Broom Nebula, combined data. 90×30, 46×30 and 410×15 sec data sets all taken with the QHY183c camera and Televue TV-85.
Images of Comets, Nebulae, Galaxies and Star Clusters
