Pleiades - Dec 27th and 28th

Greetings,

At long last an opportunity to do some imaging. This is the Pleiades on December 28th ahd 29th consisting of a Stack of 300 x 60 Second exposures at ISO 1600, using a Canon 350D c/w Baader UHC-S Filter and a Megrez 90 at Prime Focus, piggybacked on a CGE11. Images captured on the evenings of the 27th and 28th December, 2008 from Cherrymount, Waterford, Ireland



Bigger version available here:

farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/3150902616_7fb3750ba5_o.jpg

Happy Christmas and New Year... all!!

Steve Roche

Wonderful shot. The detail in the nebula is quite unique-never seen it like that before. Well done!
Out of curiosity, what level of polar alignment did you need for this shot? I have a CGE and have ordered a 450D for some astro shots but am a complete novice.

Steve - that is an absolutely stunning shot! Incredible filamentary detail in the nebulosity!! Beautiful :woohoo:

Phil.

PS - Wishing all an early Happy New Year!

Talk about detail. I can even see Old man time in there himself, although he does have a pinochio nose. He's looking to the right side of the frame. Better wish everyone a happy new year too, so!

Thanks John and Phil for your encouragement, much appreciated.

John, I did the normal 2 star alignment (no calibration stars), then the Polar alignment (Utilities menu... plus spending time with the trusty allen keys to get that right!!), then a two star alignment with 4 calibration Stars. This was after setting up with the Megrez piggybacked and camera attached so the Mount could calibrate for the load. This routine, when combined with carrying the gear out, setting up and getting the camera in focus takes about 2 hours (well... for me any way.. ...unfortunately, no permanent setup here.... so everything has to be put together, from scratch ). To save time, seeing that the forecast was positive for the second night, I took everything in at the end of the first night, except the Mount which I put into Hibernate Mode (so that it would retain the alignment from the previous session).

On Night 2, it was a case on setting up the OTA, Piggyback Scope, weights and a check on the camera focus to contine the session, after waking up the mount. This saved alot of time.

....... Now to talk to the Missus, about getting a new shed (with a roll off roof) in the middle of the garden...........wish me luck...I'll need it...

Happy New Year and clear skies all!!!!

Best regards

Steve Roche

Stunning stuff Steve - the detail in there is amazing.
Green with envy - the Southeast dark skies are just the ticket.
Keep up the fabulous work you've been doing lately - it just keeps getting better
I've always enjoyed your work and have tried hard to come up to your standard (not there yet though).