IC 405 The Flaming Star Nebula

[MartinB]

I got a couple of hours Ha data on this last year but the RGB stuff was ruined by cloud and a full moon. It was enough to make me want to come back. I wanted to get the blue reflection "flames". There was some moon but it was well away from Auriga'

The brightly burning coal in the image is the star AE Aurigae. The blue light knocks off electrons from the surrounding hydrogen. When the hydrogen regains it's electron the Ha red is emitted. The blue is reflection of the star light off the surrounding dust. It is pretty dim.

Scope: Tak FSQ 106

Camera: QSI 532 ws

Guiding: ZS66 with Lodestar camera

Captured, calibrated, aligned and combined with Maxim. Processed in PS with a brief dip into PixInsight.

Ha (Baader 7nm) 7x15min and 12x20 min.

RGB (astronomic type II) R and G 20x200secs B 20x300secs unbinned

A total of 720 calibration frames.

RGB with Ha added (red with 15% blue) and an Ha (+ luminosity at 75% opacity

Have posted the luminence as well.

[Beyond_Vision]

Time well spent indeed Martin. The level of detail and colour is spot on

Regards

Kevin

[JonH]

That's a beautiful image Martin, very impressive.

[Dangerous-Dave]

Cracking shots!

[JCJC]

Superb Martin! The 'whispy' detail is some of the best I've seen.

Jordan

[cardconvict]

looking brilliant maybe one day i might go for ccd imager

[RobH]

Really good image Martin, crisp as they come

Cheers

Rob

[James]

They're amazing! Is it me or do the reduced size versions have a visual effect of the nebulosity sloping inwards from the right, a kind of 3D effect? It's not as pronounced in the expanded versions.

James

[harry page]

Hi

Thats very nice and deep , I have tried this and its faint

Most excellent work

Harry

[MartinB]

Thanks a lot guys. You're right Harry, it is pretty faint especially the blue reflection nebulosity

looking brilliant maybe one day i might go for ccd imager

If I could have any camera of my choice I would still go with the QSI 532 for imaging in the UK. It's a real shame it's an expensive chip in an expensive package.

[Whippy]

Another one straight out of the top drawer Martin . Getting that blue is no mean feat!

Tony..

[Coco]

Great images Martin, you must feel proud of them... beauties..

Guy..

[ollypenrice]

Lovely stuff and an inspired choice of framing. Usually I think people go at right angles to this but what you have done is bring out the S shaped curve of the main nebula and given the image a sweeping rhythm. I love the contrast in background sky as well between right and left.

In fact it looks very much as if the nebula is rotating, don't you think, anticlockwise and face on to us.

Olly

[adamsp123]

That is just so good Martin!

[namreg]

Wow!

[Shibby]

We are being spoiled with two great images of this awesome nebula! (Yours and cardconvict's)

[Buzz Lightyear]

nice job.

[Doc]

An amazing shot Martin. What fascinates me is I have observed this numerous times with my 16" scope and none of this nebulosity is present visually.

[celestron8g8]

Very nice Martin ! You do great work !

[Tim]

That, Martin, is beautiful! The colours look spot on to me, and the stars are lovely too, never mind all that deep Ha!

[rich_t]

Great images Martin, the blue reflection nebula really makes it.

Cheers,

Rich.

[MartinB]

Thanks again everyone for the very kind comments. Much appreciated

[barkis]

A classy deep sky Image indeed. As wonderful an example of data collection, and supreme processing technique as you'd see anywhere. That really ought to grace the centre page of a magazine. A terriffic job Martin.

Ron.

[saturn5]

Cant some it up better than that Ron.

[sheri_barri]

Absolutely stunning!