Challenge #4, M8(The Lagoon Nebula) and M20(The Trifid Nebula) [Archive]

Nighthound

20th of May 2009 (Wed), 09:51

It's time for deep-sky challenge #4. This time The Lagoon Nebula and Trifid Nebula were selected by Challenge #3 winner Strgzer27.

You may post them individually, as a widefield or as a multi-frame composite.

There is a bit of a dilemma for voting on images posted as individuals. To make the voting process less complicated it might be necessary for voters to vote on both images as one or in other words, an "average" on the two. If we don't do it this way we will have to break the poll into two or three categories and that would make things very complex and maybe inconclusive.

Is everyone OK with this approach before we get started? Any other suggestions are welcome.

Celestron

20th of May 2009 (Wed), 12:24

Steve , whats the time limit on this . Where i'm at M8 isn't up til midmorning and i'm still Zzzzzzzzz ... :D !

Nighthound

20th of May 2009 (Wed), 12:37

Steve , whats the time limit on this . Where i'm at M8 isn't up til midmorning and i'm still Zzzzzzzzz ... :D !

It'll be ongoing through the next month or so I would imagine, longer if we keep getting entries. It is a morning target now for me too but I like shooting until the darkness starts to fade. Skies are usually more settled then. The clouds are my only problem right now, been ongoing for 8 months. I hope I can still remember how to set up.

renderwerks

20th of May 2009 (Wed), 17:50

Could we count each image submitted as a single entry? Be it M8, M20 or a widefield containing both. How about limiting the entries to one of each of the three types?

Nighthound

20th of May 2009 (Wed), 19:48

Could we count each image submitted as a single entry? Be it M8, M20 or a widefield containing both. How about limiting the entries to one of each of the three types?

That's what I was thinking would be the easiest but maybe not the best. If we allow 1-3 images, one from each category then we would be voting on an average liking of however many each contestant made.

In retrospect maybe I should have titled the challenge as The M8 and M20 Region. That way it would be in line with the Sword of Orion as a multi-object category and all renditions would qualify. I think that's the best way to limit the entries to one per person.

If that's ok with everyone, we can get this thing started. :D

Celestron

20th of May 2009 (Wed), 20:59

In retrospect maybe I should have titled the challenge as The M8 and M20 Region. That way it would be in line with the Sword of Orion as a multi-object category and all renditions would qualify. I think that's the best way to limit the entries to one per person.

If that's ok with everyone, we can get this thing started. :D

I think that would be easiest to understand and get Steve . Just in case someone might get M8 but not M20 . Both or either or sounds good .

renderwerks

20th of May 2009 (Wed), 21:11

a multi-object category and all renditions would qualify. I think that's the best way to limit the entries to one per person.

Agree- lets do it!

Adrena1in

21st of May 2009 (Thu), 07:54

Great, perhaps this will be a good excuse for me to get off my a**e and get out imaging again...my ZS70 APO needs to be used. ;)

Nighthound

21st of May 2009 (Thu), 20:17

Well somebody had to go first, let's get this party started.:D

This is a two-frame mosaic shot with a TAK Sky 90 II on a Losmandy G-11 mount • Canon 20D(unmod) • 30 x 240 sec. exposures(unguided) stacked • No darks or flats applied • Noel's Astro Tools

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Astrophotography/m8m20ngc6559x4potn-1-2.jpg

A.S.I.G.N. Observatory

22nd of May 2009 (Fri), 10:55

Here's mine. 4.5 hours of 15 minute subs. Darks and Flats applied. Captured this last fortnight.
Black Diamond ED120 on EQ6
Orion Starshoot DSI Pro III

Baz.

Adrena1in

22nd of May 2009 (Fri), 15:35

You know what Steve, I might as well not bother at all now, seeing that image from you! ;)

In all seriousness though, these are all but invisible to me, being so low on the horizon. Never mind, perhaps the next challenge.

chris.bailey

23rd of May 2009 (Sat), 03:48

Yeah not a good target for me either, very low on the south means I doubt it would clear the treeline for me.

strgazr27

23rd of May 2009 (Sat), 13:04

Talk about getting out of the gate with a bang! I realize that this may be a low target for some of us, myself included at 40 N but I have shot it in the past with decent results. My skies are Mag 4-4.5 in the summer with the haze and softball fields lit up but I won't let that stop me.

Nice work so far guys!

Bobby

Adrena1in

27th of May 2009 (Wed), 08:54

Me and Chris are over 50 degrees north, but if I could get down to the coast, (very little light-pollution out to sea!), then I could probably go for it. Would be an interesting outing actually... Note to self, investigate in getting some deep cycle marine batteries!

chris.bailey

28th of May 2009 (Thu), 08:26

I had a look at about midnight last night and neither have cleared the murk that hugs the horizon sufficiently to even try imaging them.

Celestron

12th of June 2009 (Fri), 10:51

Great image Baz !! I finally got some imaging last night but didn't have too much time before the moon came up :( . If i get all mine together i'll maybe have 10-mins worth . My mount is the old CG-5 EQ with dual motors for tracking but not guiding so my images will be no where like yours when i get them processed hopefully this weekend . I think i was able to get 2-mins unguided with small trailing for about 5-6 shots .

Nighthound

13th of June 2009 (Sat), 22:14

A little more magnification this time. I went back and totally reworked these. This is about as far as I'm able to stretch them without degrading the image quality to badly.

M8
Vixen R200SS (f/4) / Losmandy G-11 wGemini / Canon 20D (unmodified)
45 x 180 sec. unguided exposures combined
Hutech LPS-2 filter, MPCC
Photoshop CS3 and Noel's Astro Tools
No darks or flats applied
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Astrophotography/m8lrgvixenrwk2cc.jpg

M20
Meade 10" LX200R (f/6.3) / Losmandy G-11 wGemini / Canon 20D (unmodified)
30 x 180 sec. unguided exposures combined
Celestron Focal Reducer/Field Flattener
Photoshop CS3 and Noel's Astro Tools
No darks or flats applied
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Astrophotography/TrifidR2cc.jpg

Nighthound

9th of July 2009 (Thu), 15:47

Since this contest thread has fallen to page three in this section I thought a bump was in order. Please submit your images. Thanks.

markjpcs

9th of July 2009 (Thu), 16:06

Well, the first time I saw this thread is right now and I must say the images submitted by you guys ROCK!

My camera is out of town currently. When does this little competition end anyway?

Nighthound

9th of July 2009 (Thu), 16:27

Well, the first time I saw this thread is right now and I must say the images submitted by you guys ROCK!

My camera is out of town currently. When does this little competition end anyway?

Thanks. As long as these objects are attainable we'll keep the contest open. Got to get this moon out of here right now. If the weather cooperates the next new moon would be prime time. How's your south-southeastern sky for darkness?

I was reading up on Chiefland for their fall party, sure would like to get there. It's 7 1/2 hours drive from here.

markjpcs

9th of July 2009 (Thu), 16:43

So, what's to think about? LOL!

It's 21 Hours from here. ;)

jmx

9th of July 2009 (Thu), 20:06

Alright, since this is still alive I'll post mine

http://jmx.ls1howto.com/pics/m8_medium.jpg
Fullsize: http://jmx.ls1howto.com/pics/m8.jpg

markjpcs

9th of July 2009 (Thu), 20:46

Excellent!

A.S.I.G.N. Observatory

9th of July 2009 (Thu), 22:17

I just found curves......am I allowed to edit my entry (exactly the same picture and data reprocessed with curves?)

Baz.

Nighthound

13th of July 2009 (Mon), 10:46

I just found curves......am I allowed to edit my entry (exactly the same picture and data reprocessed with curves?)

Baz.

Sure, why not. Looking forward to your update. You've never used curves before?:shock:

markjpcs

17th of July 2009 (Fri), 02:45

My first attempt at M20. I reserve the right to edit! ;)

http://www.pcsincnet.com/M20_07-16-2009_Crop1024Rev1.jpg

Canon EOS 50D Baader Mod
Astro-Physics 130 EDF GT
Astro-Physics Mach1 GTO
ISO 100 (yeah, I forgot to set that higher)
9 x 5min exposures
5 Dark frames
Deep Sky Stacker
Photoshop CS3

jmx

17th of July 2009 (Fri), 21:30

Mark, that is fantastic! I think I'll have to go try and get a capture of that guy this weekend. Wow! Your image feels almost 3d.

Celestron

18th of July 2009 (Sat), 00:04

Looks great Mark ! Why would you want to edit it ??

markjpcs

18th of July 2009 (Sat), 00:22

Thanks guys!

I only reserved the right to edit. I am not sure that I will but I would like to get more than 45 minutes. ;)

troypiggo

23rd of August 2009 (Sun), 13:01

My humble attempt:

http://piggo.com/%7Etroy/photos/2009/2009_08_19/M20_M8%20ISO800%2010x4m.jpg

drevilsmom

23rd of August 2009 (Sun), 22:09

Very nice, Troy! I wouldn't call that too bad!

markjpcs

24th of August 2009 (Mon), 02:48

Very nice Troy!

nubu

24th of August 2009 (Mon), 06:06

Hi!

I may add my wide field pic here; it was taken with:
20 times 60 seconds EF200mm/2.8L I at 4.0 with the 50D unmod
using a clip on CLS filter in northern Croatia tracked on an AstroTrac TT320X.

Here is a link to the full res final pic:
http://p.aon.at/nick/8418848000/fest...?folder=420927

Otherwise one cannot judge the high resolution the 50D/200mm combo delivers...

Cheers
nubu

PS: some other pics of that run (again including m8/m20 in the even larger field with the 5DII/135mm combo are found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28477307@N06/sets/72157622000427628/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/28477307@N06/sets/72157622000427628/)

Adrena1in

24th of August 2009 (Mon), 06:52

Wow Nubu, that's fanTAStic!! I do love wide-field images, and that's one of the best I've seen.

nubu

26th of August 2009 (Wed), 07:00

http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/press-rel/pr-2009/pr-30-09.html

http://www.eso.org/gallery/d/119364-2/phot-30a-09-fullres.jpg

Fortunately, they dont qualify for the M20 challenge!

nubu

Celestron

26th of August 2009 (Wed), 09:34

Fortunately, they dont qualify for the M20 challenge!

nubu

I don't think you read the Topic Headline correctly Nubu . It says M8 & M20 nebuleas . This is exactly what your picture is about ! And a great wide field picture !! Your picture qualifies the same as all other pictures in this challenge !! So YES , you do qualify !

nubu

1st of September 2009 (Tue), 10:24

@Celestron
Back from vacation! "Fortunately, they dont qualify for the M20 challenge" was regarding the two links to the ESO 2.2m telescope pics. These are not mine but interesting to compare. I stay with my wide field pic...

Cheers
Franz

Celestron

1st of September 2009 (Tue), 11:06

jgibson19842002

3rd of September 2009 (Thu), 12:38

Not sure if the challenge is still going on but here is my widefield shot of both the lagoon and trifid.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_C9n0e2NcaB8/SlqOVMW7vAI/AAAAAAAAC2c/WuCY_j6nDVU/s800/9694-9696%20AVG%20%20EDIT%20High%20Contrast%20Layer.jpg

Details-
350D Mod + 200mm f/2.8L @ 4.0
Autoguided with Orion 80ED + Starshoot Deepsky Imager
Atlas EQ-G
3 x 180s @ iso1600
Near Lewiston, MI

I really want to get back north to give this target what it deserves.... more time, and lower iso! I should be able to do 8-10 min subs at 200mm FL no problem.

Thanks For Lookin,
Jason

Celestron

3rd of September 2009 (Thu), 13:58

Looking good Jason!

Adrena1in

4th of September 2009 (Fri), 04:29

Is voting going to start soon on this? It's a target I can't really shoot and I've got a new mount, so I'm hoping to submit a shot for the next target! :)