A few images from last week: LBN782 in Taurus and comet 38P near NGC2392

[Roberto]

Hello All

A couple (three really with an animation) of images finished last week; all taken from across the church hall from where our meetings take place.  The evening of 8 and morning of 9 November was particularly useful to image comet 38P/Stephan-Oterma as it neared its perihelion and passed close to the Eskimo Nebula (NGC2392).  The comet was faint and the nebula was so much more prominent.
Cheers

Roberto

LBN782 in Taurus


Comet 38P and NGC2392


Comet 38P and NGC2392 - animation

[ApophisAstros]

Amazing. In the first one i think you have some "Dark Matter", its that good ,,,LOL
All outstanding.
Roger

[RobertM]

Those would be quite impressive from a dark site let alone from our local skies.  Seeing those produced from nearby is both a revelation and inspirational.  Thank you very much for sharing.

Robert

[Roberto]

Thank you Roger and Robert! It took me a good 2 months to complete the first one; over at leat 8 nights...it takes time but it's possible!

Roberto

[Carole]

I agree, I would not have thought it possible from such LP skies. 

Carole

[Roberto]

Thank you Carole! I believe you did LBN782 recently? I do all my luminance using an LP filter. It definitely helps with maintaining the gradients in check.
Roberto

[MarkS]

Hi Roberto,

Firstly, welcome to the forum and to OAS.  I have already seen some of your work from time to time.

The image of that dust cloud in Taurus is quite amazing from suburban skies.  18 hours for a single image is dedication indeed but it has certainly paid off.  It's a difficult enough object from a dark site!

You must have had a nightmare removing background gradients but kudos to you - you've done a good job of it and the result is excellent.

I also like the animation of the comet.

Mark

[Roberto]

Thank you Mark! I suppose having to wait until after midnight to image this nebula when I took the luminance frames paid off. It is incredible how much darker skies are in suburban London at 1-3AM.
Roberto

[NoelC]

Very nice Roberto!
Particularly like the galaxies tucked away in the first image.
Well done.
Noel

[Roberto]

Thank you Noel! There's an interesting galaxy, IC359, just a little bit further west which, unfortunately, I could not fit in my frame.
Roberto

[Carole]

Thank you Carol! I believe you did LBN782 recently? I do all my luminance using an LP filter.

It wasn't exactly LBN782 but it was a similar dark nebula nearby taken at our monthly astro camp where the skies are much darker.

I have to confess to forgetting to put on a LP filter when imaging from home, and this winter I am going to make a conscious effort to do so.

Carole

[JohnP]

Very nice Roberto - I like the processing - Looks like you have some serious kit - Look forward to seeing some more images. John

[Roberto]

John, many thanks.
Carole, the LP filter I use does reduce sensitivity and increases integration time but it pays off in increasing SNR and the ability to extract more detail from my master frames. Since my imaging FoV is over 1 degree square, I certainly need it. I also have to say that software such as PixInsight helps tremendously when it comes to background adjustments and gradient elimination; miles ahead of anything else I've used previously.
Roberto

[Fay]

Serious kit indeed, very nice Roberto....

Fay

[MarkS]

It is incredible how much darker skies are in suburban London at 1-3AM.

That's a very interesting and pertinent point.  Do you have any firm data on this?

Mark

[Roberto]

Fay, thank you!

Mark, I would have to go over my data but I guess at least 1000 ADU lower in my L channel at that time.
Visually, it's the only time I've seen the Milky Way from my backyard.

Roberto

[Carole]

I am just up the Road in Bromley, and I can't say I have noticed any different after 1am.  Maybe I should examine my ADU next time I do LRGB.  Never seen MW in these parts, I can only see some of the major stars at best.

Carole

[ApophisAstros]

I suppose its possible to have dark hotspots to a certain extent , i have reasonable dark skies in Worting, i am guessing that i am shielded from northern cities/towns on one side North by the south downs and there's not a lot of light coming off the sea  to the south 3 miles away, obviously different factors for Bromley .
Roger

[The Thing]

You live right by the A21 in the heart of Bromley Carole. No ones going to turn off any lights there! The edges of Petts Wood are a prime spot to turn of down the lights and of course when everyone's in bed their lights are off and cars tucked up for the night so fewer headlamps. My streetlights in France are off from 11 to 6 for miles around and it's astonishing that even here in the sticks a few lights makes such a difference. The French have strong and comprehensive light pollution legislation covering all public and private lighting - you can't have any lights on at any business an hour after the premises is vacated for instance, including shopfronts.

BTW lovely piccies Roberto:)

[Roberto]

We can organise an observing session at my place in the future. It does improve after neighbors go to bed but in the early hours the London glow reduces also. I have seen the MW a couple of times in early spring when the summer constellations are at the zenith around those times.  The winter MW is a glow but not as prominent.
Roberto

[Carole]

We can organise an observing session at my place in the future.

Sounds good Roberto. 

Carole