Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Astrophotography => Topic started by: RobertM on Aug 24, 2009, 18:12:06

Title: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: RobertM on Aug 24, 2009, 18:12:06
This image was taken on Sunday night at DSC through, the skies were really very good apart from a lot of high cloud passing through from time to time.  I wasn't happy with my Ha attempt last year so the DSC allowed me to re image and hopefully improve.

The "Wizard" nebula (NGC 7380) in the constellation of Cepheus is so called because it looks like a Wizard sitting in his chair.  Also in the Image is the very faint SH2-142 towards the lower left.

This is one of my favourite nebulas, it has so much detail with extended subs and should be on everyone's list.

I used the Takahashi Sky90 refractor at 405mm f/l with an SXV-H9 camera and Astronomik 13nm Ha, OIII and SII filters.  A total of 100mins in 10 min subs for each channel with the filters being mapped as Ha = red, OIII = green and SII = blue.  One googly I made was to focus with the luminance filter for the Ha subs - Doh!  I do need massively more subs on the Ha channel, possibly another 2hrs or more to bring out all the detail.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2580/3852264631_0ab6f7c755_o.jpg)

TFL
Robert
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: Daniel on Aug 24, 2009, 20:31:22
Beautifull image Robert, and a nebula I hadn't heard about, this is now going to the top of my "to-do" list, one question, how faint is this as I notice you've used some very long subs there and obviously this is in a dark site, so Im guessing this isn't something to be attempted from the sub-urbs.

Daniel
:O)
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: MarkS on Aug 24, 2009, 21:07:22

Robert,

That's the first time I've seen this nebula.  What an interesting object!  It's a great image you've got there (as always!)

Mark
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: Fay on Aug 25, 2009, 10:44:17
Great image Robert, you will have to give me lessons on processing narrowband
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: Mike on Aug 25, 2009, 10:50:54
Very interesting nebula. Nice image.
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: JohnP on Aug 25, 2009, 11:21:46
Very nice indeed Robert. Are the colours really as shown - I've never seen an object with so much yellow.. - it is quite a strange object & definitely on my todo list. It looks great.

John
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: Ian on Aug 25, 2009, 12:18:26
I wish it could be Christmas every day...





Oh.





Nice image Robert, I've not even heard of that one :)
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: RobertM on Aug 25, 2009, 13:51:25
Thanks for the positive comments.

Daniel, this is quite faint butnothing seems to be beyond you these days so have a go!

Fay, I'm still learning myself !

John, I've just balanced the channels via equalise background  in Maxim and this is the way it turned out.  I'll have another go and see what happens but with NB there are 6 combinations with the 3 filters so the colours are what you make them.

Ian, I bet you grow a beard that time of year and don a Santa outfit too ;)
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: Ian on Aug 25, 2009, 14:28:02
Quote from: RobertM on Aug 25, 2009, 13:51:25
Ian, I bet you grow a beard that time of year and don a Santa outfit too ;)

Me? No patience. I'm dressed like that right now...
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: Tony G on Nov 28, 2009, 12:25:58
Robert,

I see you made it into December's 'Sky at Night' with this.
Well Done.

Tony G
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: JohnP on Nov 28, 2009, 13:03:20
congrats Robert...
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: Mac on Nov 28, 2009, 13:43:21
very nice.
Love those colours.

Cant see the Wizard, they must have been on some fantastic drug fuelled trips when they saw these,

However saying that i can see Virgin Atlantics Scarlet lady in it though. (Drug free)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/Fatmonkey/Budget%20Airlines/Virgin%20Atlantic/Virgin2.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/Fatmonkey/Budget%20Airlines/Virgin%20Atlantic/Virgin2.jpg)
although its facing the other way and dosent have the union jack.

Mac.


Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: Fay on Nov 28, 2009, 14:34:17
Well done Robert. I have the mag but did not see it!!!!!! :roll:
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: RobertM on Nov 28, 2009, 19:47:08
Oh, I wasn't very hopeful but am very happy to have made it in there.  I'm not sure when it hit's the shelves but I tried to buy it at Smiths in Bromley today but no joy :(

Robert
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: Fay on Nov 28, 2009, 19:51:55
I got mine from there Robert
Title: Re: The "Wizard" Nebula in Cepheus Mk2
Post by: RobertM on Nov 28, 2009, 20:11:06
So it's all your fault ... ;)