B33 / IC434 Horsehead & Flame Nebula (Hα)

[Euan]

Right, here we go with 2012 then. My first New Years resolution is to do more imaging! 2011 was a complete disaster and I'm determined to make the most of it this year.

This is pretty low in Scotland and last night there was loads of thin high cloud and a really bright moon close by, so this is pretty noisy/rough full size so it's been scaled down 60%. It's good to get the year kicked off though, more to follow hopefully.

Camera: Atik 383L+ Mono with Baader 1.25" 7nm Hα Filter

Scope: Borg 101EDII with 0.85x Reducer @ F5.3

Mount: EQ6 with EQMOD

Guiding: Orion ST80 with QHY5

Capture Software: CCD Commander, Maxim DL

Processing Software: Deep Sky Stacker, PixInsight

Exposures: 7 x 15 mins

Calibration: 25 x Darks, 25 x Flats, 50 x Bias

[carastro]

Very nice indeed.

Would it take a slight increase in contrast?

Carole

[Euan]

Would it take a slight increase in contrast?

Well spotted. I've tweaked the histogram a touch and it looks a bit better now although it has started to bring out some more of the noise.

[carastro]

it has started to bring out some more of the noise.

Yes I know what you mean which was why I asked if it would take it.

Carole

[Darth Takahashi]

Thats coming along very nicely, I bit more time will reduce the noise.

[blinky]

Very nice Euan - love the clods behind the horsehead! Last night was nice but I never went out due to the moon and my lack of Ha filter!

[Catanonia]

top work and a challenge this month with the moon almost over Orion.

Nice detail, very nice.

[Looking Up]

Jolly nice image, nice texture to the stuff behind the HH!

Spencer