Ad Astra Observatory

Art Morton wrote:
> http://www.astromart.com/images/forums/643000-643999/643641.jpg
>
> The above image was taken with a 12” AP Mak on the AP Super Large
> Mount. The angular resolution and image magnification is far greater

> than my 5” scope. The FOV is bigger in my scope however. These
> structures you in the other image are about 12:00 to 1:00 oClock in
> mine, and of course, there is a good deal of difference in the images.
I think that with some work on noise reduction, you could tease out more
detail on the Tadpole. It’s a little small for your rig, but the
surrounding nebulosity looks pretty cool. Try a longer integration time,

if you can do that without blowing out stars.
>
> Some of the objects below are a lot more fun to see than image, like
> Hind’s Variable Nebula
>
>
> M45 the last one is just to bright for me to image with my current
> work process, but I will try something different. It is my best to

> date and it is terrible.
>
Obviously, star clusters that contain lots of bright stars are not
really the forte of your rig. However, the freaking nebulosity around
M45 here is stunning. I have not come anywhere *close* to that kind of
detail on the blue end of the spectrum. Wow. I would try some narrowband
filters and see if it helps. I don’t suspect it will, since it’s a
reflection nebula, but you can try.

>
> The image directly below shows the Eskimo nebula in the center as a
> very round bright object next to star. It is one of those object that
> is more fun to look at with a Barlow than to image. My scope is not
> the right one to use to image this object. The two galaxies are to
> the left.
>

Eskimo = too small. Your rig wants bigger objects, like the Heart and
Soul, the Rosette, M81, M106… But the stuff you’re doing looks great.
The Cone is fantastic.

Cute shot of Venus. I like the one that’s not as blown out.

And congratulations on getting some star time in ‘09!

I haven’t been out for 2 days — I have a nasty cold that has kept me
home from work, etc.

J