NGC 281 Pacman Nebula

[Paramount]

Hi all
Well I have managed to do two nights imaging in a row (that's got to be a first with our weather). I managed to start imaging at 1am after having to redo the polar alignment as I accidentally nudged one of the legs on the Tri-pier (that's enough of the excuses). For once the skies were clear with no sign of cloud but the seeing wasn't brilliant partly due to the moon nearby but also there appeared to be some very thin mist in the air as the stars didn't seem as sharp as usual.
I managed 16x10 unguided subframes finishing at 4am. The image was aligned and combined in Maxim DL and I did two aggressive iterations of curves mixed with levels in Photoshop, local contrast enhancement using Noel's tools and some extra processing using gradient xterminator and noise reduction was used to try and get rid of the effects of the mist which I think I managed to reduce to a minimum. I have had to reduce the quality to be able to post it so as always there are better quality images on my site http://www.imagingtheheavens.co.uk. I have also included a cropped closeup to better show the detail in the nebula itself
TMB 115, Starlight Xpress H36 with Ha filter on Paramount ME
Thanks for looking
Best wishes and clear skies
Gordon

[budguinn]

nice shots, Gordon....glad it's cleared for you

[neilfleming]

Nice job, Gordon. I am still amazed that you can do this unguided!

...Neil

[Paramount]

Originally Posted by neilfleming

Nice job, Gordon. I am still amazed that you can do this unguided!

...Neil

Hi Neil
What really helps in the unguided shots is the Paramount and the software that controls it, I am still using it as it came out of the box so no PEC training has been used. Also I think it is down to the T-point model and mapping routine that gives a polar alignment within about 10arcsec which is brilliant for unguided shots. If I used the PEC training and added more suggestions for the T-point to make it even more acurate then I dare say I could go unguided for longer. The mount cost me £8900 (up to £10,000 now) and it is the best money I have invested because of the enjoyment I am getting out of it
Best wishes
Gordon