Picture of the Week - 8th February 2010

TJ · (#1 (**permalink**))

You could hardly expect the week after Astrofest to have many clear skies.....the new kit clouds curse has been very much in
evidence this week. However, I do know that several members have done their bit for the economy by investing in some nice new
toys, and in some cases, whole astrophotgraphy setups, so I am sure we can look forward to some nice work in the near future.
With the nights really starting to draw out now, lets have a look what has been achieved during the precious minutes of clear
dark skies this week;

The sketching board has undergone a revival, no doubt helped by Mars, and there have been some crackers posted. I rather like
Yeti monsters E-Sketch, its a good use of modern technology to show off what we see at the EP.

DarkerSky's Mars sketches have impressive detail, and somehow impart a real feeling of intimacy with the red planet, but for
sheer commitment, Towa has my favourite image in the Sketching board, a full Mars map constructed from a whole series of
drawings made over two months. Superb stuff Towa, hats off to you!
Mars Map

On to the Lunar & Solar section. Things seem to be perking up a little as Starman (Pete) shows us, some impressive prominences
there Pete, and plenty to whet our appetite for a good summer of observing our very own star.

My favourite image from this board is this one from Nick Smith. The detail in it is just captivating, I cant stop staring at it, just
look at the fine details around the centre of the crater. Nick, this image has quite literally taken my breath away....
http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-...ml#post1372229

I knew the planetary board was going to be busy again, but I was really surprised at the quality of some of the images of Mars. I
have been quite mesmerised by the planet during this opposition, and have found myself spending almost as much time with an
eyepiece in the telescope as a camera, nearly enough to tempt one out of the dark side.

My favourites are these two posts, from Neil and Pete, they really show off the dust storm over the polar cap of Mars, and set the
standard for Mars images. Great work guys.
A night of Mars
Interesting north pole detail, Feb 1st

Finally the DSO board, which as usual has been very busy. Images from the Orion area have naturally been very popular, although
the glorious M42 nebula itself has not had quite its usual share of postings it seems. I took the chance to look at it visually
through my C9.25 the other night, while waiting for Mars. At F10 and with a 32mm EP the detail was absolutely stunning, and
after a while a slight bit of colour became apparent. My son could see reds and blues in the nebula. Again, it was another
poignant reminder that imaging isn't the only pleasure of owning a telescope. At this rate i'll even be buying a few decent
eyepieces!

But it does take a camera to bring out the real glory of the nebulae, and we have had some gorgeous rosettes, and plenty of
Horseheads too, the iconic nebula being a benchmark of astro imaging to some degree. Nice to see Celescope (Roger) back at
the camera again too with a nice Ha Rosette, it even prompted Barkis into song

Well, the bar has just been raised for the Horsehead. When a post starts with the mention that Alnitak was used as a guide star,
you know there's something a little different afoot. The rest of the post explains the whys and wherefores of that process, but the
image speaks volumes all by itself. The horsehead is no longer a dark shape against a red background, but a 3D pillar of dust
with shape, form and structure clearly visible, and all dressed in fine filamentary detail to really show it off.
Congratulations Martin, I think you just re-wrote the advert for active optics

Your image of the Horsehead is my favourite of the
week, and a very worthy Picture of the Week.

Thanks to all who posted pictures, please keep them coming. Next week we have another surprise guest judge in the seat, I
wonder who it will be

Cheers
Tim

RobH · (#2 (**permalink**))

It had to be this one ......stunning image and a very well deserved POW.
Well done Martin

Cheers
ob

MartinB · (#3 (**permalink**))

Wayhay!!

Thanks Tim, that's brightened up a post Astrofest Monday. Tickled pink here.

daz · (#4 (**permalink**))

Simply stunning! I think it is one of the best HH I've ever seen!
Its about time you started selling some prints Mr B!!

Deneb · (#5 (**permalink**))

Well done Martin, such a brilliant picture. Congrats to all others who got mentioned.

Nadeem.

Jamie · (#6 (**permalink**))

The detail in that is just stunning...

Well done Martin......Well deserved POW....

JCJC · (#7 (**permalink**))

Just Superb, well done Martin!
Jordan

barkis · (#8 (**permalink**))

Another great roundup of the weeks work TJ.
Some powerful images to weigh up that's for sure, but the prize just had to be the brilliant HH by MartinB. He earns a prize just for getting all that sophisticated equipment singing from the same songsheet.
Ron.

George · (#9 (**permalink**))

Nearly Hubble quality, congrats Martin.

GordonH · (#10 (**permalink**))

Hi Martin
Very nice with fantastic detail throughout, a worthy winner
Best wishes
Gordon

Herakles · (#11 (**permalink**))

Fantastic depth to this and awesome detail , esp' in the curtain. STONKING !

Congrats and well done to all mentioned as well .

Yfronto · (#12 (**permalink**))

A very well deserved POW Martin, congrats.

Mike.

kev 102 42 · (#13 (**permalink**))

brilliant picture cant wate to see what you come up with next....................kev

jgs001 · (#14 (**permalink**))

Congrats Martin superb image.

steppenwolf · (#15 (**permalink**))

Well done, Martin, a gorgeous image and well written up, Tim.

russ · (#16 (**permalink**))

Well done Martin......awesome image indeed.

And well done Tim. You had your hands full this week with a bunch of stunning images and drawings. Some much quality stuff and having to pick one that edged it must have been hard. Your choice of the HH was a good one although Nick Smith's lunar was mindblowingly good too.

Russ

themos · (#17 (**permalink**))

Truely outstanding!

beamish · (#18 (**permalink**))

A stunning pic, love the incredibly delicate detail coming thru !

Well done Martin

ashenlight · (#19 (**permalink**))

Well done Martin, best horsehead I have ever seen. It looks like you've flown there and taken the photo whilst in the neighbourhood... amazing

Great write up TJ

NickH · (#20 (**permalink**))

Compare that to the winner of astro photographer of the year, http://www.nmm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitio...-year/winners/ with the kit used on that shot and you realise what a great image this is.

Well done Martin

DarkerSky · (#21 (**permalink**))

Crumbs!! I nearly fell off my chair when I saw that. Absolutely superb...well done !!

Eagleseye · (#22 (**permalink**))

Very well deserved. Fantastic image.

lunator · (#23 (**permalink**))

Martin

Awedome image

Cheers

Ian

Astrosurf · (#24 (**permalink**))

I'm gobsmacked, and I try not to do the gobsmacked bit too often as I just look silly!

Can you give us some details about how you achieved such an incredible pic?

Alexxx

leeq · (#25 (**permalink**))

Awesome Martin, well done!

As I posted on the other site, I thought it was going to bite me when I opened the page