At last my 1st Horse Head

[robindurant]

I have been trying to image this for over a year and have just managed it before it dissapears over the trees. It is the 2nd attempt with my Atik 16c colour ccd. I know that it is Carp compared with some I have seen on the Forum but I don't care, I never thought I would ever manage this but due to help I have had from you Guys, especially Steppenwolf & MatinB it proves that even with a cheap 80mm Achromatic SW you can achieve DSO images I hope this will give hope to other newbies.

Sorry to go on but I'm in a happy mood ( for once )

Robin

(click to enlarge)

[Sam]

Good work Robin! It's there and you got it! well done and yes it's inspiration for newbies like myself.

[CELESCOPE]

I reckon you have done really well there Robin , especially doing colour as well , as its by no means easy , ,and as they say its all ther the flame ole Horsey , so thats your bench mark . it will all become easier as time goes on , , justa pity ole horsey is going away from us now ,

Rog

[jgs001]

Robin, that's great. You're right, it's inspiring for us newbies that this sort of thing is achievable with this sort of gear. Thanks.

[steppenwolf]

Well done, Robin, that is progress and such a difficult object to choose too.

Keep going, Robin, you are already on your way.

[Helen]

I know the feeling Robin - its just great to get it You've got the flame as well - and I do so like colour 8). Well done!

The little AtiKs are brilliant aren't they - I'm SOO tempted to buy a colour one too (its my birthday next month, maybe..)

Looking forward to seeing more from you!

Helen

[centroid]

"Way to go Robin! :thumbup:

I wish my first attempt at the 'horse' had worked as well.

Its not an easy object to capture, as the nearby star Alnitak is like a floodlight compared to the little dark horse.

'Onwards and upwards now"

Dave

[RobH]

Well done Robin,

I know the feeling, I got my first HH earlier this year....what a thrill watching this wondeful object come up on the screen

Cheers

Rob

[Trevor]

Way to go Rob, getting to grips with it now, no stopping you from now on.

[Chrisj]

Continue the good work Robin! This hobby is not simple but what a pleasure to see one's own images.

[robindurant]

Thanks for your encouragement Guys. I have had a better go at the processing, I think that its better I would appreciate your continuing comments.

Robin

(click to enlarge)

[jgs001]

Robin, Looks good. Have you tried using <a href=http://www.imagenomic.com/download.aspx>Noiseware</a> (last item) on it ? I've found this works really well.

[Kai]

Congrats Robin.

I know that feeling when you first see it on the screen

[barkis]

There is nothing carp about it Robin.

You should be overjoyed with that, it is the Horsehead nebula in glorious colour, and many would give their eyeteeth for a result that good.

Ron.

[radioactive]

Fantastic result Robin I hope one day I too will get a horsey under my belt I have the Atik 16 the mono version I would be interested if you could give anty settings that were involved I just managed to get Saturn more or less focused using the Atik

i consider that a result for me can you show me your image train by any any chance

[MartinB]

Great stuff Robin. It's a wonderful moment when that horse's head pops up on the screen. Have you used curves to process this or are you just using levels?

[robindurant]

Hi Martin

Yes I did use curves but My Atik Camera is giving me problems at the moment. It seem as if it is fogging up on the chip. I have discussed it with Bern and a solution hopefully is in hand. I had to work harder to get this image than I would have without the problem.

Robin

[Helen]

Hi Robin,

Would you mind sharing your problem and solution? I'm sure mine is generating more noise than it used to!

Thanks

Helen

[robindurant]

Hi Helen

As I have stated my Atik tends to mist up with condensation on the chip itself. It is supposed to be completely sealed with a drying agent to stop it condensating but under cold ambient temperatures it is prone to misting. Bern, Modern Astronomy, suggested using a Dew heater on the tube but not on the CCD camera itself. However this has not worked with mine and I get very foggy and grainy pics. This need not be your problem. Bern is checking with the manufacturer for me with some images I sent him whether to see if the seal has blown to the chip chamber. Note mine is a Colour version where yours I think is non colour., but they still work on the same system. If I get any positive result I will PM you.

Robin

[steppenwolf]

This is bad news, Robin but I have no doubt that Bern will help you resolve the problem. This can also be a problem with the QHY8 CCD but a heated dew band resolves the issue on that CCD. I hope you get this resolved soon.

[CELESCOPE]

Hi ,i had the same problem with my atik 16hr when imaging outside , i fixed it 100% , simple , just threw a yellow duster over the camera , collected all the damp , went on over a year fromthen on no probs,

Rog

[robindurant]

Hi Rog

That seems a brill idea, the simple ones are. Thanks I'll give it a try.

Robin

[Helen]

Thanks Robin!

I'll give that a go too Rog!! never use dusters anyway (my mother despairs of me!!)

Helen