Overhauling The Lagoon Nebula

I went in and started from scratch on this one. I've been tinkering with it off and on for a week. I think I've pulled as much out of the data as I can and with an unmodified DSLR as much red out of it as well. M8 is one of those brighter objects with some nice scale. This was shot at a focal length of 800m(f/4) with 200mm aperture.

M8 (The Lagoon Nebula): 8" Vixen R200SS Newtonian • Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini (German equatorial Mount) • 135 minutes total exposure time combined: 45 x 3 min exposures (unguided)* • Canon 20D (unmodified)

*Unguided means that that I was not assisting the mount in tracking precision. It was on its own tracking the object in sidereal.

Another very nice one Steve ! It is a little soft IMHO tho which may only be to the lacking of more data to stack with . Stars are just a little egg shape which i also know is because of the unguiding shots . But other than that its' a very nice image ! Wish it were mine .

Thanks Ron. I thought the tracking was pretty tight. Seeing could have been much better.

Here's an inset enlargement.

I think it's beautiful and extremely impressive. I always like to see what you will post next!

At the moment I can only dream of producing such images, but it gives us all inspiration.

^ + 1

I always wondered if anyone can capture past these clouds? The red sea i mean!! Would love to know whats beyond this!!

Anyways stunning picture

Very nice! I've had my eye on the Vixen R200SS for a long time now. Looks perfect for targets like this. Great job!

Thanks very much everyone.

Tim, the R200SS is a nice scope for imaging. The stock focuser isn't the greatest, but with an upgrade it's really nice. I'm impressed with the optics, fast f/ratio and its very light weight.

Steve, I don't think I'll ever run out of "WOW's" with your work.

R Hardman wrote in post #6741539
Steve, I don't think I'll ever run out of "WOW's" with your work.

Thank you Rick. I am flattered.

Nighthound wrote in post #6741510
Tim, the R200SS is a nice scope for imaging. The stock focuser isn't the greatest, but with an upgrade it's really nice. I'm impressed with the optics, fast f/ratio and its very light weight.

Plus you get those neat diffraction spikes.

Very nice shot - love to see images from unmodded cams. Particularly like the detail at the 8 o'clock position of the core.

David

FarmerDave8N wrote in post #6742784
Plus you get those neat diffraction spikes.

Very nice shot - love to see images from unmodded cams. Particularly like the detail at the 8 o'clock position of the core.

David

Thanks David, I went through a phase where I used the spikes to assist with focus and used nylon fishing leader on my refractors and SCTs to produce them. Now, I don't mind spikes in moderation with the Vixen, I just avoid overkill and don't use it on objects like M45 where they become a bit much.

Thats an awesome Lagoon and even more amazing considering its unguided and with an unmodded DSLR. I'd be very happy with stars like that even with guiding! Mind you I would be happy at the moment to have a chance of anything. cloud cloud and more cloud

Thanks Chris. I was pleased for going unguided at 800mm. I now guide the Vixen with the Sky 90 and PHD.

Blimey a sky90 as guide scope is pretty impressive!