Pacman - work in progress, first Hubble

[perfrej]

I am using the Pacman Nebula (NGC281) for my mount tests. It's in a good position, lasts all night and, I have come to realize, a fairly difficult target!

This sample, which by the way is my very first Hubble Palette image, is comprised of three nights' worth of subs:

Ha 3x10m, 3x15m, 5x20m (2h55m)

O3 3x10m, 3x15m, 5x20m, 2x25m, 1x30m (4h10m)

S2 3x15m, 2x20m, 6x30m (4h25m)

Calibrated with flats and bias, and it still needs more data in order to improve noise-wise. Oh, naturally all subs have been shot unguided

Stuff: Tak FSQ106, Baader 36mm filters, SX Wheel, SBIG ST-8300M, 10Micron GM2000HPS, all on the balcony and me asleep while CCD Autopilot, MaximDL, FocusMax and Pinpoint perform slave labour in the black case computer.

Processing involved Neb3, PI, PS.

/per

Uncropped and full res JPG at http://filer.frejval.../Pacman_3_4.jpg

[Gina]

Nice image Maybe could do with a bit of colour adjustment to get rid of the magenta cast on the background stars. Your mount tracking looks just about perfect To get up to 30m subs with no apparent star trailing is amazing.

[perfrej]

Fixed it a little... Still learning how to process NB in Hubble

Thanks, Gina!

/p

[Dipper]

Amazing pictures, both. I actually like the Pacman in the first picture more than in the second but background stars look much better in the second one. 11h 30m total amount of data is impressive in itself.

[perfrej]

Thanks, Dipper!

We all have different views when it comes to judging images - it is very subjective. Personally, I'm a bit dissatisfied with the dimness and the magenta sting in the first one. Data is good, though, and I do love my mount! Not all mounts do 30 minutes unguided with perfectly round stars

/per

[rfdesigner]

Nice images both. I think I like the esthetics of the second one even if the noise seems a little more obvious.

Derek

[ben72]

very nice, i like the contrast at the edge of the nebula. crisp and definded.

makes the rgb i posted look basic,but then i guess it is.....