Can you spot the Christmas Tree ?

[Catanonia]

I have always wondered why the Cone Nebula region was called the Christmas Tree Nebula. It was one of those that I just could not visualise very well.

Last night was clear again and the 1/2 moon was up, so it was time to break out the Ha 8nm filter and grab some photons of this region. I have tried it before and was so disapointed with the results that I never posted any images.

This time I was rather excited when I pointed the SuperNewt at the target and started guiding. At F2.8 and a nice 568mm focal length, hopefully I would get some nice framing and detail.

I was not disapointed at all, rather shocked at the result.

Here is 3 hours in 10min subs @F2.8 of the nebula and I can now definately see the christmas tree

Details

Scope : TS SuperNewt 200mm 568mm FL @F2.8

Guiding : TS OAG + QHY5 + PHD + NEQ6Pro

Camera : QHY9 mono + 2inch Orange Bright Ha 8nm

Subs : 17 x 10 min unbinned

Software : MaximDL, PixInsight, CS5 and image cropped by 70% for framing.

I hope you like it.

EDIT : full sized image and others can be seen here http://astrob.in/full/4857/

[Catanonia]

The image reminds me of those novety singing christmas trees you can get that are really annoying

[garethmob]

Hehe the duglass fir tree don't see many of them around these days . Fantastic image amazing for such a small time. I think that scope is doing great

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[barkis]

Don't know so much about the singing Christmas Tree,

but you're certainly making the scope sing to your tune.

Some cracking Images from it despite the problems it has presented you with. There's little substitute for a very fast mirror, if only they were easier to keep in check.

This Mono shot is a really nice sight Cat.

Ron.

[Daniel-K]

wow your knocking out those images quick mate with that scope keep um come'n

[NickK]

Stop Hoovering. There's not enough photons for the rest of us!

[Zul]

Oh yes i can spot christmas tree! Stunning image!

[RobH]

Very nice work.....love the contrast....great depth

Rob

[Chris]

Wow! it really does look like a xmas tree doesn't it, great picture, and yet another neb that I never new existed!

[swag72]

In my opinion this is the best shot of this area I have seen and also the best of your shots with that new scope. You can really pick up a lot of detail and that has led to a beautiful Ha image.

[West End Wendy]

That's a great shot. I thought the Christmas tree shape was just formed by the arrangement of stars - didn't realise there was all that nebulosity too.

Nice to see it the right way up too.

Tim

[ollypenrice]

I'll keep the Ha Christmas tree and hope the other one remains silent!

Deep and contrasty, a feisty image.

Olly

[Double Kick Drum]

In my opinion this is the best shot of this area I have seen and also the best of your shots with that new scope. You can really pick up a lot of detail and that has led to a beautiful Ha image.

Agreed. The most beautiful Black and White image of the sky I can remember.

Stunning shot!

[Quatermass]

wonderful image

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[Catanonia]

thanks everyone, really on a roll now. I have 2 more images, Monkeys Head and Jellyfish of a similar nature I took last night.

But I will give others a chance to post thier images for now and not flood the board

[Black Knight]

That's a great image Cat . You're obviously really enjoying your imaging at the moment .

[Catanonia]

That's a great image Cat . You're obviously really enjoying your imaging at the moment .

Yeah definately with this scope and I need to get more hard disk space at this rate

[garethmob]

fantastic image cat! that is a really nice pic

[Shibby]

You're an imaging machine Cat! I certainly can see the Christmas tree, no need for the graphic I notice that the tree topper flops down like ours did this year...

[Catanonia]

I must admit, out of all the images I have been chruning out recently, this is by far my favorite one.

I was so surprised at the structure after the initial process.

Thanks all.

[morimarty]

An amazing deep shot of this very busy area, a superb image

ATB martyn

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Brilliant stuff!

[Tim]

This one really works for me Steve, good detail, loads of Ha.

Think it might be the best result out of that newt do date perhaps?

[psemil]

good picture