NGC3729, NGC3718, Hickson 56 (Arp 322)

A couple lessons learned from a long session last night.

1. Don't be too ambitious. I was looking at images of this taken with 32" RC's and got a little carried away and of course dissapointed in the end. These are not the brightest and the outer arms of 3718 are extremely tenuous and faint.

2. Make a checklist. I forgot to turn on the dew zapper and ended up with rotten gradients which took a lot of processing to get rid of.

Anyway here's what I ended up with;

webtreatz.com/component/option,com_zoom/...eNo,10/key,88/hit,1/

NGC 3729 (left), NGC 3718 Centre, Hickson 56 (Arp 322) below centre.

12 January, 2008, Raheny Observatory Dublin. 10" Newtonian @ f/4, Baader MPCC. Celestron CGE Mount, Guided with Q-Guider and PHD Guiding.

L = 240 (30 x 5min, 9 x 10min)
R = 30 (6 x 5min)
G = 30 (6 x 5min)
B = 30 (6 x 5min)

Processed iin Images Plus v2.8, Maxim DL, Photoshop CS2.

Dave, I can't see why you were dissapointed... that is is SUPER image, with great detail.

If only I could do half as good a job!!!!

Oh no, always me, my image of extremely faint and usually un-observable stellar objects that anyone else would be proud to hang on the wall is not up to my astronomical expectations. and my wallet's to small for my fifties, and my diamond shoes are too tight!!!


That was my impression of you Dave! Fantastic image.

OK OK!! Maybe that wasn't the smartest comment I ever made

However, unless you become your own biggest critic, you won't get any better. The real reason for the dissapointment was I was looking at this image as a reference.

www.robgendlerastropics.com/NGC3718NM.html

<Note to self> Don't use rob gendlers images as references anymore:) It''s bound to end in tears!

I prefer yours Dave!!

Dave you should adopt my method of astrophotog.............

Go on try it.....you know you want to.