M27, H-alpha & color (July 2011)

This image is just 16 minutes (2x8') of H-alpha, taken with the Atik 16, combined with 160 minutes (20x6') of color from the SXVF-H9C.  The Orion ST120 was used to take the H-alpha, and the SV80ED the color.  The stacked H-alpha and color frames were then registered in Registax and combined in Photoshop.

Cocoon Nebula, IC 5146, SH2-125, Caldwell 19 (July 22 & 23, 2011)

This intriguing object features both emission nebula (red) and reflection nebula (blue or gray-brown).  The cluster of stars in the nebula is very young, and is just pushing the gas away from itself with ultraviolet light.  The blue-white stars' light is also reflected on the gas, but you may have to turn out the lights to see it.  The reflection nebula here is close in color to the light pollution near my house, and in order to control the light pollution I had to tone down the blue.  Most estimates put the Cocoon Nebula at about 4,000 light years.

Telescope: Stellarvue 80ED NHNG f/7 w/WO ff/fr 0.8 II (so effectively at f/5.6)
Camera and Exposure: SXVF-H9C, 56x8'
Filter: IDAS-LPS2
Guiding: Borg 50mm, Meade DSI Pro, PHD
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX

IC1318B, near Sadr (7-1-2011)

This is another section of the nebula near Gamma Cygni, or Sadr.  I was looking for a last target before sunrise and was able to collect 72 minutes of decent data.

Telescope: Orion 120ST f/5 Achromat w/WO ff/fr 0.8 II (so effectively at f/4)
Camera & Exposure: Atik 16, 9x8'
Filter: Astronomik Profi 6nm H-alpha
Guiding: Borg 50mm, Meade DSI Pro, PHD
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX

NGC 7000, Texas and Mexico from the North America Nebula (7-7-2011)

This image was taken between 3 and 5:30 am.  Water vapor was gathering in the sky, and thin clouds of it passed overhead while I was taking the seventeen sub-frames that make up this picture.  As a result, every frame's histogram was unique.  Notwithstanding, the colors turned out ok, and there is enough light here to post (especially in a smaller format), though I'd prefer a deeper image.  This is my second image with the SV80ED.

Telescope: Stellarvue 80ED NHNG (SV80ED) f/7 w/WO ff/fr 0.8 II (so effectively at f/5.6)
Camera and Exposure: SXVF-H9C, 17x8'
Filter: IDAS-LPS2
Guiding: Borg 50mm, Meade DSI Pro, PHD
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX

M17, first light with the SV80ED (July 7, 2011)

Here is the bright nebula M17.  This is my first image of it and first light with the SV80ED.

Telescope: Stellarvue 80ED NHNG f/7 w/WO ff/fr 0.8 II (so effectively at f/5.6)
Camera and Exposure: SXVF-H9C, 18x8'
Filter: IDAS-LPS2
Guiding: Borg 50mm, Meade DSI Pro, PHD
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX

First Light, Stellarvue SV80ED NGNH Deluxe (7-7-2011)

I have never owned a Stellarvue scope before, but this beautiful instrument was offered used about a month ago.  It came standard with a Feathertouch focuser that I can use on most of my other scopes.  And my electric Feathertouch can  be swapped in easily on this scope.  Plus, the SV has a lovely blue finish.  Of course, the sine qua non of a good telescope is the glass.  The scope performed admirably in its first photograph test!  I've been looking for a scope to carry out of doors.  This scope is an excellent fit for me.  I'm looking forward to using it for many years.

To see images I have taken with the SV80ED, search for "SV80ED" in the box at upper left.

NGC 6559, the other end of the Lagoon (7-1-2011)

Visually, this nebula does not appear to be linked to the Lagoon, but in deeper images the connection is pretty obvious.  This is more or less the other end of the same cloud.  Anyway, I like it for the nobbiness, the brighter slice of glowing gas at left, and the prominent dark river.

Telescope: Orion 120ST f/5 Achromat w/WO ff/fr 0.8 II (so effectively at f/4)
Camera & Exposure: Atik 16, 10x8'
Filter: Astronomik Profi 6nm H-alpha
Guiding: Borg 50mm, Meade DSI Pro, PHD
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX

M8, the Lagoon, in H-alpha

This popular target in Sagittarius shines primarily in the glow of ionized hydrogen.  I've seen many versions of this nebula with similar filters and always wanted to try it.  Compare it to my first M8, here, four years ago.  M8 is nearly in our line of sight as we look at the center of the Milky Way galaxy.

Telescope: Orion 120ST f/5 Achromat w/WO ff/fr 0.8 II (so effectively at f/4)
Camera & Exposure: Atik 16, 10x8'
Filter: Astronomik Profi 6nm H-alpha
Guiding: Borg 50mm, Meade DSI Pro, PHD
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX

M27, Why the Dumbbell Nebula Is Partly Red (6-30-2011)

Of course, M27 is also blue, but that wouldn't show up through this H-alpha filter.  H-alpha radiation, which falls in the red part of the spectrum, shines very brightly from this planetary nebula.  This image is only 16 minutes of exposure, just two subframes.  Note the spikes coming from the lemon.  Longer exposures show more structure outside of what is here.  I was testing, however.  I'd like to return to this object with the 10" Newt.


Telescope: Orion 120ST f/5 Achromat w/WO ff/fr 0.8 II (so effectively at f/4)
Camera & Exposure: Atik 16, 2x8'
Filter: Astronomik Profi 6nm H-alpha
Guiding: Borg 50mm, Meade DSI Pro, PHD
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX

The Eastern Veil, NGC 6992/95, 6-30-2011

The Veil Nebula complex in Cygnus is so large that I can only get a part of a segment in the field of view of the Atik 16. But this is one of the better parts!

Telescope: Orion 120ST f/5 Achromat w/WO ff/fr 0.8 II (so effectively at f/4)
Camera & Exposure: Atik 16, 20x8'
Filter: Astronomik Profi 6nm H-alpha
Guiding: Borg 50mm, Meade DSI Pro, PHD
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX

IC1318A, near Sadr (6-30-2011)

This brighter part of the emission nebula surrounding the star Sadr in Cygnus is a new one for me.

Telescope: Orion 120ST f/5 Achromat w/WO ff/fr 0.8 II (so effectively at f/4)

Camera & Exposure: Atik 16, 16x8'

Filter: Astronomik Profi 6nm H-alpha

Guiding: Borg 50mm, Meade DSI Pro, PHD

Mount: Takahashi NJP

Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3

Location: The Woodlands, TX