M2 (9-23-2011)

M2 is a globular cluster found in the constellation Aquarius.  In my little SV80ED, I see perhaps one star and a fuzzy, round blob.  The 10" and camera resolve it into hundreds of stars.  This image has been shrunk to 74% of its original size.  Thanks to Jim Wood for processing tips.

Telescope: Orion 10" f/4.7 Newtonian and Baader RCC1
Camera and Exposure: SXVF-H9C, 10x3'
Filter: IDAS-LPS2
Guiding: SX Lodestar and SX OAG
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX

IC349, Merope (August 26, 2011)

The little clump of gas just to the right of the bright star Merope (and below the diffraction spike) is being pushed away and scattered by the star's intense ultraviolet radiation.  Merope is one of the Pleiades (or Subaru, or Seven Sisters, or the stars in M45 in Messier's list).  The clump of gas that is IC349 is lit up because it reflects the light of Merope.  The broader nebulosity around the star is also a reflection of Merope's light.  My favorite image of IC349 is Roland Christian's, here.

Telescope: Orion 10" f/4.7 Newtonian and Baader RCC1
Camera and Exposure: SXVF-H9C, 3x10'
Filter: IDAS-LPS2
Guiding: SX Lodestar and SX OAG
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX

NGC 891 (August 26, 2011)

This galaxy in Andromeda is interesting primarily because we see it nearly edge-on.  The combined light of the stars across the disk make the galaxy bright to us, and the dust lane cutting through the disk is prominent.   NGC 891 is between 14 and 41.1 million light years away, though most non-redshift estimates cluster around 32-39 million light years.  My favorite image of this object is Adam Block's (here).

Telescope: Orion 10" f/4.7 Newtonian and Baader RCC1
Camera and Exposure: SXVF-H9C, 16x10'
Filter: IDAS-LPS2
Guiding: SX Lodestar and SX OAG
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX

Another M27, still not perfect (8-4-2011)

Here's yet another M27.  It looks fine except for a small amount of guiding error.  It's been a while since I have guided through the 10", and I was very tired, so I worked with the guiding for a while.  About the time I solved the problem (or came to believe I had solved it---everything was finally working well), the sky clouded over.  By that time, I had 88 minutes of M27, most of it showing slight signs of the guiding problem.

Telescope: Orion 10" f/4.7 Newtonian and Baader RCC1
Camera and Exposure: SXVF-H9C, 11x8'
Filter: IDAS-LPS2
Guiding: SX Lodestar and SX OAG
Mount: Takahashi NJP
Software: Nebulosity, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS3
Location: The Woodlands, TX