M31 with Televue/FLI prototype imaging system

[GordonH]

Hi

As the moon wasn't present I thought I'd have a go at some LRGB and I was able to complete M31 in three nights with some cloud interruption in between. M31 just about clears the roof of my house so I am able to image it as soon as it gets dark. This was taken with the Televue/FLI prototype imaging system that I am testing at the moment which consists of a NP127is (without the mechanical manual focuser), a custom built spacer tube with built in adjustable tilt and focusable field flattener, this is attached via zero tilt adapters to an Atlas focuser, Centerline filter wheel and Pl16803 camera. (details on the system can be seen on my previous post of the veil nebula).

Exposure times were

26x10 minutes Luminance

12x10 minutes Red

8x10 minutes Green

11x10 minutes Blue

Auto guiding was by a Officina Stellare Falco guide scope and SX Lodestar with dithering.

The system is proving to be very easy to use and the focus is very stable with only one adjustment necessary during the night.

Due to light pollution there were varying gradients on the different master frames so I dealt with the gradients before colour combining.

I am particularly pleased with the result as I've managed to pull some detail out of the dust lanes in M110 which can be seen better in the full size version at the following link

http://ic2.pbase.com/o9/29/869929/1/152178687.rUPLmrzo.M31LRGBfinal.jpg

Depending on time and weather I may add some Ha to this but I have heard varying tales as to whether it is worth it with this subject.

When I've a bit more time I will post some pictures of the system on my website

Thanks for looking

Best wishes

Gordon

[nmoushon]

Wow you really can see the dust lanes in M110! Thats a great job.

Mind posting a picture of your prototype setup? I'm very interested to see how you have it set up.

I would do a couple hours of Ha. There's not a ton of Ha in M31 but if anything it will help with noise a bit.

[jammo]

Stunning image, absolutely stunning

[cloudbuster]

A real gem!

[stargazerslivingroom]

Amazing, Gordon. That is really great!

Well done and thanks for sharing the method.

Steve

[andyo]

That's a really nice M31 great colour and detail

[swag72]

Super image! I would definitely think that it's worth adding Ha. There's loads of pockets in M31

[Astroblagger]

stunning M31.

[neil groves]

One of the best I have seen, would look brilliant enlarged and framed on your wall.

Neil.

[ollypenrice]

That's lovely, Gordon, both deep and delicate.

Ha is great on this, picking up long strings of star forming regions along the arms.

Olly

[fwm891]

Superb image Gordon - lots of detail - most seem to agree Ha would help. Time well spent on this one.

[msh1]

that is lovely and yep add some ha

mark

[GordonH]

Looks like I will be adding some Ha to this on Saturday night if the weather stays clear

[James]

That is a nice image. I love the colour you've managed to get.

James

[lensman57]

Can I say that this image is out of this world?!! Really it is.

Regards,

A.G