NGC7000 and IC1396 widefields

[winfij]

Howdy all,

I got a couple of clear nights last week, but with my focuser on my main scope out of action, I took the opportunity to move the ART11002 onto the Pentax SDHF-75 and try a couple of big targets using the 3 degree fov this setup provides.

I selected NGC7000, the North American nebula, plus IC1396 complete with the Elephant's trunk.

There's no motirized focuser on that refractor, so I spent some 25 mins tweaking the focus before I was happy - I'm glad I dont always have to do that!

Anyway, here's the results, each exposure was about 3 hours long through a 7nm Ha filter, with the ccd binned 2x2.

Comments/suggestions welcome as always.

Click the images below to go to the page with details and click through from there to get to the full size images.

Cheers,

John

[steppenwolf]

Really nice images with tons of delicious detail - can you explain the term 'clear sky'

[Psychobilly]

Couple of crackers....I remeber hearing tales of clear skies once ... the old folk used to wax lyrically about them...

Billy....

[markcol]

Just beautiful work, John!

Mark

[MartinB]

Great results John. You've certainly got the set up working well for you. I do like the look of that Pentax. I love the IC 1396 since it is less commonly attempted. Lots of interesting detail in there. What's next on the agenda?

[asteria]

Excellent images - thanks for putting them on the site.

Ed

[winfij]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Martin - next on the list I'm thinking of IC1318, the Butterfly nebula.

John

[glennbech]

Martin - next on the list I'm thinking of IC1318, the Butterfly nebula.

You should be able to get all three of the surrounding nebulae in the same field of view. Sounds like a great plan :-)

[philj]

Wow that is some FOV. Very nice images

Phil

[bazza]

John, these images are awesome!

Any chance you can get the colour for them?

Imagine finished in the Hubble Palette......breathtaking.

Barry.

[Sam]

Awesome images John! very big too! the detail you've managed to capture is quite staggering.

[Beyond_Vision]

Superb captures John very nicely framed and processed

Regards

Kevin

[winfij]

John, these images are awesome!

Thanks

Any chance you can get the colour for them?

Imagine finished in the Hubble Palette......breathtaking.

I'm afraid not - I don't have the 2" versions of the SII and OIII filters - they're pretty pricey.

I do have the 1.25" versions, but they're no use at all with this big ccd.

John

[winfij]

Awesome images John! very big too! the detail you've managed to capture is quite staggering.

Thanks.

These were binned 2x2 so i could get deep enough in a single (short) night. The 7nm filter is great for cutting through the light pollution (mag 4.5 skies here) but it doesn't leave much signal - 5 mins subs are the minimum I can get away with and I didn't want to push it any longer with imaging unguided.

John