Astronomy Astrophoto Gallery

NGC6960 - Western Veil

templec — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:23:37 -0400

by: templec

Description: This western portion of the Veil Nebula supernova remnant is also known as "The Witch's Broom". Even though it has a composite magnitude of 7.00, it is remarkably difficult to see visually without an OIII nebular filter. It is part of a larger area known as the Cygnus Loop, which also consists of the Eastern Veil and Pickering's Triangular Wisp. Of note is the large number of foreground stars. These stars are from our own Milky Way, as one of its arms lies in the line-of-sight with Cygnus. Telescope: Stellarvue Raptor SVR105 @ f/7 Accessories: Stellarvue SFF7-21 flattener Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: TS-OAG9 Off-axis, using a Starlight Xpress Lodestar via PHD Camera: QHY9-C one-shot color CCD @ -20.0C Filters: Astronomik IR block Exposure: 164 x 240sec (10hr. 56min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 4.00 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, Min/Max excluded average, DDP, curves, levels, color balance Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; HLVG; Noise Ninja; Carboni�s Tools Date(s): September 3, 4 & 5, 2010 Temperature(s): N1:73�F - 65�F; N2:70�F - 60�F; N3:71�F - 61�F SQM reading (begin - end): N1:18.91 - 19.52; N2:19.21 - 19.51; N3:19.27 - 19.60 Location: Hendersonville, TN

5 comments

NGC6960 - Western Veil

templec — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:23:37 -0400

NGC6960 - Western Veil

templec — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:23:37 -0400

NGC7789 - open cluster

templec — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:25:37 -0400

by: templec

Description: This is our second image from our SVR105. This image was taken using the Stellarvue SFF7-21 flattener. It is a perfect match for the scope. The stars are round all the way to the edge of the image. We were already impressed with the scope but with the addition of the field flattener, we were just blown away. NGC 7789 is a fairly tightly-packed open cluster of over 300 members in the constellation Cassiopeia. It was discovered in 1783 by Caroline Herschel. At a magnitude of 6.7, it is easily visible with binoculars. Telescope: Stellarvue Raptor SVR105 @ f/7 Accessories: Stellarvue SFF7-21 flattener Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: TS-OAG9 Off-axis, using a Starlight Xpress Lodestar via PHD Camera: QHY9-C one-shot color CCD @ -20.0C Filters: Astronomik CLS; Astronomik IR-block Exposure: 31 x 240sec (2hr. 4min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 4.00 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; HLVG; Noise Ninja Date(s): August 27, 2010 Location: Hendersonville, TN

4 comments

NGC7789 - open cluster

templec — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:25:37 -0400

NGC7789 - open cluster

templec — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:25:37 -0400

NGC457 - The Owl Cluster

templec — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:11:45 -0400

by: templec

Description: This is our first light with the new Stellarvue SVR105 Raptor. When we received the scope, we fully expected FedEx to deliver a bunch of clouds with the scope, but much to our surprise, we had clear skies. We just couldn't resist imaging with it, despite the fact that the field flattener wasn't due to arrive until the next day. Aside from the elongated corner stars, we were very pleased with the image this scope delivered. Stars were sharp, thanks to the high quality optics and the ease of focus with the Feathertouch. Color from this scope is great and stars were easily resolved, again, thanks to superior optics. Scope used: Stellarvue SVR105 Raptor @f/7 (no reducer/flattener) Camera: QHY9-C one-shot color CCD @ -20.0C Filter(s): Astronomik CLS; Astronomik IR block Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G w/ EQMOD Guiding: TS-OAG9 Off-axis, using a Starlight Xpress Lodestar via PHD Exposure: 32 x 240sec (2hr. 8min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 4.00 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; HLVG; Noise Ninja Date(s): August 26, 2010 Location: Hendersonville, TN

4 comments

NGC457 - The Owl Cluster

templec — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:11:45 -0400

Stellarvue SVR105 Raptor on Atlas EQ-G

templec — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:21:49 -0400

by: templec

Description: Here is our Stellarvue SVR105 Raptor mounted on our Atlas EQ-G. With the dewshield fully extended, this scope is 27 inches long. The scope weighs about 11 pounds without our camera attached, but even when we have the scope fully dressed, the Atlas handles it with ease.

Stellarvue SVR105 Raptor

templec — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:15:56 -0400

by: templec

Description: Here is the latest addition to our family ;-)) We ordered it on August 17 and it arrived at our door on August 26. It is the Stellarvue SVR105 Raptor. This is a 105mm f/7 apochromatic triplet with a 3" Feathertouch focuser and carbon fiber tube. We also purchased the SFF7-21 field flattener that is a perfect match for this scope. The Feathertouch focuser has no problem handling our load and is very easy to focus by hand. Although we have only imaged with it twice, we are very impressed with what we have seen.

2 comments

NGC6960 - The Western Veil Nebula

templec — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:47:26 -0400

by: templec

Description: Here's an image from our first successful night out with our new QHY9-C camera and the addition of a Moonlite focuser on the ED80. This is a meager 2 hours of integration time. We realize that we need more time on this object, but were impressed with the camera's sensitivity in such a short period of time. We are anxiously awaiting clear skies so we can get out and see what the camera will do with more integration time. Telescope: Orion ED80 (f/7.5) w/Moonlite focuser Camera: QHY9-C @ -20C Filter(s): Astronomik CLS; Astronomik IR block Accessories: AT2FF zero-power field flattener; TS-OAG9 w/ SX Lodestar Exposures: 24 x 300 sec (2 hours total) Acquisition: ImagesPlus Camera Control v4.00 Processing: ImagesPlus v3.80; PSCS4; Gradient Xterminator; Noise Ninja Date(s): August 19, 2010 Location: Hendersonville, TN

8 comments

IC1318 - The Butterfly Nebula in HaRGB

templec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:01:25 -0400

by: templec

Description: This region of the sky is rich in HII nebulosity. The brightest star in the image, Sadr (Gamma Cygni) lies at the heart of the constellation Cygnus, although it is much closer to us than the nebulae. Just below Sadr is The Butterfly (IC 1318), which is not actually two separate nebulae, but a single cloud partially obscured by a dark dust lane, LDN 889. To the top right is The Crescent Nebula, NGC 6888. Several open clusters and dark nebulae are also visible in this wide field-of-view. This image is dedicated to the memory of our departed furry baby, Missy. One of her favorite things to do was to chase butterflies. So when we captured this image, we immediately thought of her. She is missed dearly and will remain in our hearts forever. RGB Color Data: Lens: Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L USM II (at f/2.8) Accessories: n/a Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: Starlight Xpress Lodestar on Orion 80ED Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 72 x 60sec @ ISO 800 (1hr. 12min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 4.00 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.83A � Calibrated, registered, Min-Max excluded averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; HLVG; Noise Ninja Date(s): August 8, 2010 Temperature(s): 87�F (dropped to 81�F) SQM reading (begin - end): 18.72 - clouds Hydrogen-alpha Data: Lens: Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L USM II (at f/2.8) Accessories: n/a Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: Starlight Xpress Lodestar on Orion 80ED Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik 6nm H-Alpha EOS Clip Exposure: 104 x 180sec @ ISO 1600 (5hr. 12min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 4.00 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.83A � Calibrated, registered, Min-Max excluded averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Noise Ninja Date(s): August 6 & 7, 2010 Temperature(s): 83�F (dropped to 77�F) both nights SQM reading (begin - end): n/a Location: Hendersonville, TN

10 comments

IC1318 - The Butterfly Nebula in HaRGB

templec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:01:25 -0400

IC1318 - The Butterfly Nebula in HaRGB

templec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:01:25 -0400

IC1318 - The Butterfly Nebula in H-alpha

templec — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:57:22 -0400

IC1318 - The Butterfly Nebula in H-alpha

templec — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:57:22 -0400

IC1318 - The Butterfly Nebula in H-alpha

templec — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:57:22 -0400

NGC6888 - Crescent Nebula in HaRGB

templec — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:55:13 -0400

by: templec

Description: The Crescent Nebula (NGC6888, Caldwell 27, LBN 203), also known as "Van Gogh's Ear" is a magnitude 7.40 emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus (The Swan). It is formed by the violently fast stellar winds emanating from a Wolf-Rayet star (WR 136, HD192163) colliding with the slower gases that were shed by the same star many thousands of years ago when it was a red giant. The gaseous shell is approximately 25 light-years across and 5,000 light-years distant. It is predicted that the central Wolf-Rayet star will eventually explode into a supernova in approximately 100,000 years. RGB Color Data: Telescope: Astro Tech AT8IN 8� f/4 Newtonian Accessories: Baader MPCC Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: TS-OAG9 Off-axis, using Orion StarShoot AutoGuider Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: best 57/66 x 180s @ ISO 800 (2hr. 51min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 4.00 beta 1 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, min/max averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja Date(s): June 13, 2010 Temperature(s): 82�F (dropped to 78�F) SQM reading (begin - end): 19.34 - 19.32 Moon data: n/a Hydrogen-alpha Data: Telescope: Astro Tech AT8IN 8� f/4 Newtonian Accessories: Baader MPCC Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: TS-OAG9 Off-axis, using Orion StarShoot AutoGuider Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik 6nm H-Alpha EOS Clip Exposure: 25 x 900s @ ISO 1600 (6hr. 15min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 4.00 beta 1A(N1) beta 2(N2) Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, min/max averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Noise Ninja Date(s): July 3 & 7, 2010 Temperature(s): N1:79�F (dropped to 74�F); N2:82�F (dropped to 78�F) Moon data: N1: Last Quarter - 53%(64� a/s); N2: n/a Location: Hendersonville, TN

10 comments

NGC6888 - Crescent Nebula in HaRGB

templec — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:55:13 -0400

NGC6888 - Crescent Nebula in HaRGB

templec — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:55:13 -0400

NGC6888 - Crescent Nebula in HaRGB

templec — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:55:13 -0400

NGC6888 - The Crescent Nebula in H-alpha

templec — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:42:52 -0400

NGC6888 - The Crescent Nebula in H-alpha

templec — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:42:52 -0400

NGC6888 - The Crescent Nebula in H-alpha

templec — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:42:52 -0400

M8 - The Lagoon Nebula