Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Astrophotography => Topic started by: Fay on Dec 18, 2008, 11:16:49

Title: NGC1499 California Nebula in Perseus
Post by: Fay on Dec 18, 2008, 11:16:49

This is from last night. 9x600 secs, Ha, Atik314L, WO ZS66.
I could only manage 9 subs as everyone was going home eastwards by plane & then the clouds rolled in.


(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/3117314895_664e68fca2_o.jpg)
Title: Re: NGC1499 California Nebula in Perseus
Post by: MarkS on Dec 18, 2008, 12:29:36

Fay,

You've captured some good data there.  It's a shame your imaging session was curtailed by cloud.

Mark
Title: Re: NGC1499 California Nebula in Perseus
Post by: Mike on Dec 18, 2008, 12:46:43
Nice. Looks like a giant snarling face to me.
Title: Re: NGC1499 California Nebula in Perseus
Post by: Fay on Dec 18, 2008, 12:59:04
Thanks, yes I was ticking along, but cloud came quicker than was anticipated. Every plane in the country was going east, over my patch!!!!
Title: Re: NGC1499 California Nebula in Perseus
Post by: JohnP on Dec 18, 2008, 13:06:29
Very nice Fay - A great result (especially considering the conditions) - Focus looks spot on (why did you bother getting a RoboFocus...) & guiding looks excellent for 10min subs... The Ha filter has kept stars nice & small....

John
Title: Re: NGC1499 California Nebula in Perseus
Post by: Fay on Dec 18, 2008, 13:13:25
Well, thanks John. I often have a problem with focusing. I think I focus on the wrong stars, probably the larger brighter one's & so all the others look dubious.

Is there a rule of what sort of star you should use for focusing?
Title: Re: NGC1499 California Nebula in Perseus
Post by: JohnP on Dec 18, 2008, 13:29:56
Well I normally pick one that is reasonably bright.. I also try & select one near middle of CCD...  Sometimes it is difficult with Ha as stars can be quite faint which means you need quite a long exposure & so any changes you make to focus are not immediate.

John