Christmas Tree Cluster, Cone and Fox Fur

[Nighthound]

The open star cluster NGC 2264(Christmas Tree) is central in this shot. The Cone Nebula is visible at the tip of the "tree" pointing downward. The Fox Fur region is just below the cluster and is named for its fur-like nebulosity texture. NGC 2261(Hubble Variable Nebula) can be seen it the tope left of the frame.

Takahashi Sky 90 II • Canon 20D (unmodified) • Losmandy G-11 mount w/Gemini • 30 x 180 sec. exposures combined • Photoshop CS3/Noel's Astro Tools

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/PS%20Gallery/chrisconecc.jpg

[Johnny9s]

WOW:shock:

[FlyingPhotog]

If I had a bowing icon right now, I'd use it...

Beautiful image.

[Bill Pham]

i keep finding myself going into this section a lot lately. wow what a shot.

Bill

[Nighthound]

Thanks John, Jay and Bill. Greatly appreciate the kind comments.

[PJ1958]

Very nice red response for an unmodded 20D. Looks like it was shot with my friend's 20Da :)

[Nighthound]

Thanks PJ1958. I've been very happy with my 20D for astro work. It's much more red sensitive than my 5D.

[markjpcs]

Very nice Nighthound!

[Nighthound]

Thanks Mark.

[Celestron]

Very nice Steve ! Beauty of a WF image !

[xMClass]

That is such an amazing shot.

[ArcticShooter]

Looks like I have to invest in some gear to start shooting this type of images :)
Thank you for sharing.

[Dusty]

Hey Steve, sorry I haven't been around much lately, the astro section has really grown.

What a beautiful shot this is, lovely colour and detail.
You've framed it perfectly.

Excellent mate.

[Nighthound]

Thanks Ron, Heige, Mikey and Dusty.

Dusty, great to hear from you. It's been a while, I hope all is well.

[rdalrt]

Awesome shot.

[Adrena1in]

I've got to get me some H-Alpha and H-Beta filters...

[Nighthound]

I've got to get me some H-Alpha and H-Beta filters...

I've wanted to do the same for some time but H-alpha exposures require pin point tracking due to the length of exposures needed. Once I've got my auto guiding optimized I can consider the investment. Right now at 800mm my limits are right around 4-5 minutes and would likely need about 7-8 for Ha. Of course this year most of my exposures have been 0 due to weather conditions. Nice and clear now that the Moon is full though. :(

[Adrena1in]

Nice and clear now that the Moon is full though. :(

I believe that's Sod's Law #6 of Astrophotography.

I must give unguiding another go. I set my mount up the other night for some moon shots, so wasn't too fussed about alignment, but left it tracking a star in the east for 5 or 10 minutes anyway, and from what I could tell in the eyepiece the star hadn't moved. Pointed it south and left it for another 5 or 10 minutes, and the same again. (Was useful, painting those three circles on the patio, spending an hour or so doing polar alignment, and always putting the tripod back down in the same place.) My main problem now is balance. I need to modify my piggyback setup quite considerably if I'm to balance my 600mm with the 400mm on it's back. :confused:

Anyway, forgot to say...lovely shot in post #1 by the way!

[Nighthound]

I believe that's Sod's Law #6 of Astrophotography.

I must give unguiding another go. I set my mount up the other night for some moon shots, so wasn't too fussed about alignment, but left it tracking a star in the east for 5 or 10 minutes anyway, and from what I could tell in the eyepiece the star hadn't moved. Pointed it south and left it for another 5 or 10 minutes, and the same again. (Was useful, painting those three circles on the patio, spending an hour or so doing polar alignment, and always putting the tripod back down in the same place.) My main problem now is balance. I need to modify my piggyback setup quite considerably if I'm to balance my 600mm with the 400mm on it's back. :confused:

Anyway, forgot to say...lovely shot in post #1 by the way!

Thanks. Balance is very critical especially if your load is approaching the mount's limit for imaging, which is about 1/2 to 2/3 the manufacturer-listed amount. Marking your set up spot is smart, definitely speeds things up each night.

I've switched from vertical piggy back to side by side with my G-11. I'm able to reach perfect balance this way. Very easy with the Sky 90/FS-60 but a bit more time consuming with the Vixen/Sky 90 combo. Last time out the autoguider seemed to like the balance this way with the Vixen/Sky 90 so I'll continue to try this method. If I hadn't messed up focus I would have a decent Iris Nebula image and one of M78 as well.

I haven't shot much that close to Polaris (Iris Neb) in the past, the rotation at the outer edge was very obvious with 4 minute exposures.

[disc_lover]

very very nice!

[mananetwork]

Your images are amazing!! *dreamy*

[photo9999]

WOW!

[Flo]

Your photos never cease to amaze me.....

[RolyRatman]

Beautiful work...