Astroclassifieds.com Imaging Contest

[EricCCD]

Originally Posted by Zathris

While my images are getting better, I never post on the Yahoo Sbig Group because the bulk of the images posted there are done by people using Paramount ME mounts and 20" RC’s and STL cameras. My little SCT, G-11 mount and ST8-XE just can’t compete. I do however post images to my local club that rival or beat anything anyone else posts. A year ago I had a 300D and a CG5 mount and my images where not as good as the ones I post now but I enjoyed taking every one.

Hi Zathris,

I would encourage you to share your posts and images on the SBIG group anyway. Granted, most of the imagers over there are getting into the high-end stuff, but there are a few notable imagers using more humble setups as well. Your SCT/G11/ST8 combo is up there with all the rest. I'm sure you'll pick up quite a few tidbits along the way as well as the more accomplished imagers share their processing tips with you.

Eric

[Zathris]

While waiting for the Virgo Cluster to rise last night I shot The Sword of Orion. I was planning on a HaRGB image. Unfortunately the RGB data is just not very good. To much core burn out, to close to the Moon and to low in the sky over a thermal source.

The 3x1200sec. Ha images turned out ok. Due to the huge dynamic range I used six different layers of the same image at differing histogram stretches. Then sharpening and smoothing.

Orion ED80, ST8-XE, Losmandy G-11
Ha=3x1200sec

[BT Technologies]

The winner of the February imaging contest will be announced later today!!

Stay tuned....

[BT Technologies]

Hello everyone!! I got to tell you that it was tough to come up with just one winner with the images that got posted to this thread.

We got together with the other sponsors and decided that it would not really be fair for people to compete against those that were using the highest quality equipment vs someone that was using more "modest" equipment.

What we decided to do was to have a first place winning image followed by a runner up.


FIRST PLACE image goes to Phil/Downunder for his superb image of the Rosette Nebula!! Phil used a SBIG STL-11000M ccd camera and a Televue NP-101 to take this jaw dropping image.

RUNNER UP image goes to Zathris for his beautiful ha image of M42 taken with a Orion 80ed refractor and SBIG ST-8xe ccd camera.

Congratulations guys and thank you for submitting your stunning images!!

For their efforts the First Place prize will be a brand new PWT (Particle Wave Technology) 2" CNC Machined aluminum DDCAP with free recharge kit in your choice of a black or clear finish. This is the PERFECT accessory to help keep your telescope free of moisture and dust free.

The Runner Up imager will get a book of his/her choosing (up to 50 dollars value) courtesy of Adirondack Astronomy.


Thanks again to everyone and we hope to see more of your images in our next imaging contest!!

[budguinn]

congrats guys, both images are winners....and thanks to the sponsors for some very nice prizes.

bud

[Bob_riggs]

I'm with Bud. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to the sponsors for some very nice prizes. That had to be a tough call, guys! All of the entries were winners.

CDS!
Bob

[Zathris]

Thank you to both the judges and others for their kind comments. I was fairly sure Phil’s beautiful Rosette was a winner, but am surprised that Bud’s wide field of Orion’s Belt didn’t win as well.

Zathris….

[BT Technologies]

There were a lot of beautiful entries into the imaging contest and there is no doubt that Bud's image of Orion's belt was stunning.

We will have another imaging contest shortly and I urge everyone that has a camera to enter!!

Originally Posted by Zathris

Thank you to both the judges and others for their kind comments. I was fairly sure Phil’s beautiful Rosette was a winner, but am surprised that Bud’s wide field of Orion’s Belt didn’t win as well.

Zathris….

[EricCCD]

Congrats to Phil and Zathris!

Eric

[Phil/downunder]

Taken from backyard Queensland with a STL-11000M on NP101mm F/5.4
on a G11 mount.
2x20mins each channal s11,HA,o111
Phil