Helix Nebula in HOO

[alexbb]

I avoided imaging this one as it is so low, it only rises to about 23-24 degrees above the horizon where I live and close.

So for this I needed good south skies.

I started it as the side target at a summer start party camp, shooting Ha with a SkyWatcher 150 PDS masked with a ~144mm baffle for round stars shape and an ASI1600MMC.

The outer shell came out quite visible at almost 7h so I decided to add more to it. Back home I have a decent dark area nearly so I was able to at least double the signal, most of it with the same scope. The ASI294MM is so more sensitive than the 1600.

As the forecast doesn't seem astroimaging friendly, I decided to process it at a total of almost 25h and, weather permitting, I might add some RGB later, before it's too late for the season.

Seeing is bad so low so fine details are lost in the blurness, but it's better than nothing.

Anyway, here it is, below, or astrobin or Flickr.

 

Clear skies!

Alex

[vlaiv]

Exquisite image.

[alexbb]

3 minutes ago, vlaiv said:

Exquisite image.

Thank you, thank you, Mr.!

[Sp@ce_d]

Lovely.. well done.  I've always wanted to have a go at this but I have no chance from up here!.. wonderful target  

[megrez]

Stunning!