NGC1499 California Nebula in Ha

[SteveL]

OK, that was the coldest, frostiest night I`ve had to endure yet...

The horizon was very murky, but the zenith was very clear and steady... just a shame about the moon illuminating everything. Time to break out the Hydrogen Alpha filter again.

OTA: William Optics ZenithStar 66 SD + 0.8 FR/FF

Guiding: NS8GPS @ f/10 + DSI-C + PHD

Imaging: QHY8 + MaximDL, 10 x 900s, Astronomik Ha 13nm

Stacked: DeepSkyStacker

Post Process: MaximDL + ImagesPlus + PSCS2 + Noel Carboni’s AstroTools

Note: I forgot to take bias frames... doh!

Not sure which version I like best... the slightly softer whispy one (first), or the more contrasty version (second)

(Click on the image for a larger version)

(Click on the image for a larger version)

[CELESCOPE]

Nice field of view on that one Steve, like that a lot , very nice process job, and the neb shows some very good detail , well done mate , excellent work , post mine up later tonight.

[themos]

The contrasty one. For some reason it reminded me of this

http://rdgallery.wz.cz/gericault_gallery/raft_of_the_medusa.jpg

[legion48]

Either one Steve. They're both gorgeous.

[Beyond_Vision]

Another well earned reward for enduring the cold. Great image Steve I think my vote is on the second one.

Regards

Kevin

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

They're both ace Steve, but (oddly, it seems) I prefer the first one.

Kaptain Klevtsov

[Sam]

I like number two, it really stands out and look so clear.

[MikeD]

Nice job on them both Steve , The second gets my vote.

Mike.

[SteveL]

Bah, web server I host on just went t*tsup.com....

If you cant see an image, please check back later when normal service should be resumed

[MikeD]

It's back.

Mike.

[Whippy]

Aye, it was pretty nippy last night. I managed an hour or so before I had to deal with unwell child .

Anyhoo, toppermost both of them but in a gunfight, the first one would still be standing.

Tony..

[beamish]

The pair are crackers, but the 2nd gets my nod. Ps you ought to be nominated for an endurance/dedication medal judging by the photo!

Karlo

[bern]

Good work Steve, No 1 is the one.

bern

[Beyond_Vision]

Bern are you doing any Christmas deals on the QHY8? Steves pics have got to be a good advert for them

[SteveL]

I know one person here who recently ordered one... unsure if that was my "fault"

[SteveL]

Here is a 50/50 blend between the whispy and sharper versions (click on image for larger version)

I just love doing the Ha stuff, especially as all the recent clear nights have had a big fat nasty moon killing them. Last night, the moon was less than 39 degrees away from this target, and yet the filter cut straight through the skyglow... fantastic!

[CELESCOPE]

Good old Mono eh Steve . still like it the best

Rog

thats a cracker the blended one , reall comes alive .

[SteveL]

Dont get me wrong. When the sky is clear and moonless, there is nothing like taking RGB images to process the next day... but, as I am learning, grabbing Ha data of the same object to use to blend at a later time is just moving the image quality processing up a notch or two. I`m just lucky this camera does so well at both Ha and RGB OSC

[MartinB]

Superb work Steve, the blended image definitely does it for me

I know one person here who recently ordered one... unsure if that was my "fault"

You do carry some responsibility Steve although a number of other factors as well! Yes, one QHY8 currently on it's way to Chesterfield. Currently in Hong Kong at the moment. The SXV H9 wont be going though. Hope to do some comparisons which should prove interesting.