IC 5146 - Cocoon Nebula in Cygnus

Dear friends .... and you-know-who,

I was debating about setting up last night due to a variable temperature and volatile seeing conditions and decided to go for it (nothing ventured, nothing gained).

Perhaps one of the nicest entries within the IC catalog is IC 5146 (Cocoon Nebula) in Cygnus. Last night's result based on just over four hours total exposure is available at www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-IC-5146.htm . I lost some exposures due to a failed download by CCDSoft, a very brief power outage and some damn planes that had a specific 0.5x0.5 degree field of view in mind.

Anthony,

Congrats again on a wonderful capture and thanks for the heads up on this. I almost forgot to add this to my hit list!

Just a small thing, the link to the hi-res version does not work for me.

Well it looks like its gonna rain in Ireland for about another 100 years! The weather forecaster on TV last night said, and I quote "The jet stream is so far south at the moment, its not funny anymore". That just about sums it up really! I was just looking at the european synoptic charts for the next week and not once does a weather front go near Greece. You lucky sod! I envy you but also don't begrudge you those skies one little bit!

Congrats again!

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the kind words ... and also the note about the missing file. I have rectified the situation and the hires file is now available for viewing (it looks neat!).

As for our weather, it is our greatest (secret?) weapon ... even our winters are very good.

This evening's target will most probably be NGC 7203 (Iris Nebula) in Cepheus. I took some test photos a couple of weeks ago and was delighted.

Last night I also took test shots of M33 and M110 ... in about a month they will be prime for imaging.

I was going to wish you clear skies but I do not mean to make your pain worse. :oops:

Hi Anthony,

I hope that when i get as old as you hopefully I will be able to take images like you. Well done (old man) :lol: :lol:

Fantastic imaging

Hey Anthony

I keep thinking that your images can't get any better, and each time you prove me wrong.

Can I ask how you get the spikes on the stars if you are using a refractor?

Picture perfect mate. Another notch in the bedpost for you.

I meant to ask you about star colours. When I do clusters I tend to get a ring of colour rather than a nice even star colour. I read an article about dslr imaging that said a good way of getting colour in a long exposure image was to gradually shift the focus since colour comes out better that way. Ever tried it? I might give it a shot next year when the clouds go away.

Congrats again on the image, I'm off to look at timeshares in Greece.