Iris Nebula from Lydd

[MarkS]

Drove down to my favourite haunt near Lydd last night - fantastic sky - got back home in the early hours.  Decided to image something tough but different.

So here is the Iris Nebula (processed using Iris!)
Modified Canon 350D on Tak Epsilon 180ED ( 500mm F2.8 ) with IR/UV filter only.
21 x 5min exposures at ISO 800



There's hardly any background gradient - that gives an indication of last night's sky quality.

Bigger version (though scaled by 2/3) here:
http://www.markshelley.co.uk/Astronomy/2010/iris16072010.jpg

Mark

[Rocket Pooch]

Very nice Mark, I think it needs a little more exposure to get the dark nebula to stand out from the background but thats superb for a quick night imaging session.

Did you notice all the meteors last night, I counted over 39 between 12:20 and 1:30am. 

[MarkS]

Yep - loads of Meteors - just like at Rother Valley last weekend. 

I hope to add some more exposures to the Iris sometime.

[mickw]

I like that

[Jim]

Really beautiful

[Mac]

very nice.
Mac.

[Fay]

I think that is great Mark. The Canon certainly gives good results

[RobertM]

Very nice Mark,  the dust lane colour is starting to come through nicely.  It's pretty good as it is but adding some more subs would meke it a wonderful image.

Robert

[MarkS]

Subtle re-process here:
http://www.markshelley.co.uk/Astronomy/2010/iris16072010v2.jpg

The core is less burnt out, stars are tighter and I've removed most of the background gradient.

It needs a few hours more data to really do it justice but I'm really pleased with this.