Arcturus on 80407

[BitsyLon]

Hello everyone :)

First posting in this forum :)

The image below is a stack of 2 sub frames taken with my Hutech 1a XTi. Camera mounted on Celestron C8 with an f/6.3 Focal Reducer. Sub frames are 1x3min, and 1x5min @ISO400.

C8 is mounted side by side with Orion ED80mm (guide scope for this image). Guide camera was Meade DSI Pro using Craig Stark's PHD along with EDMOD/DIR hooked to my Orion Atlas mount.

Image processed in Iris with dark/bia/flat frames. Further processing in PSCS2 with Noel Carboni's actions.

I must have had some "reflection" issues with the focusing mask that I used to creat the diffraction spikes - notice the "nebulosity looking" artifact on the right side of the image, and also the out of focus bright star just up and to the left of Arcturus (even though the rest of the stars are nice and tight).

I'm thinking both the "Star" and the "Nebula" are internal reflection(s) caused by so long an exposure time on such a bright star. Indeed, the "Fuzzy Star" may be a reflection of Arcturus itself? Checking Hallo Northern Sky planetarium program shows NO star (especiall that bright) in the possition of the one in question.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m273/bitsylon/My%20Astronomy%20Images/arcturusPS-2J2.jpg

Thanx for looking, C's & C's always welcomed and appreciated,

Lon

[Radar]

G'day Lon,

Welcome to the site mate.

That's a pretty awesome image of Arcturus. I see what you mean about the artifacts though. Either way the image is stunning. The colours in the spikes really make it come alive.

Do you have any kind of non-reflective coverings on the inside of your scope?

Ray

[BitsyLon]

Hello Ray :)

Thanx for the response! Nope - no baffeling beyond "stock" - I did have a dew sheild on the scope (it's matt black). I'm pretty much convinced that the reflection is from the Focal Reducer and the fact that the image is of such a long exposure for such a bright object.

I have processed the image without the artifacts, but the result is a "blacker than black" background sky - the colors are still there, but the background just doesn't look "natural" if you know what I mean ....

cheers,

Lon

[Radar]

To be honest with you Lon, those artifacts look kind of coolish. I've never had a problem seeing things like this in a photo. I guess it depends on what you are ultimately aiming for, but I think that stuff just adds more excitement to an already interesting image.

I wouldn't worry about removing them.

Ray

[wakaleo]

Welcome to the site Lon.

That's a very nice image, and I agree with Ray, the artifacts add to it rather than detract. I understand how you'd like a 'clean' image but this is tops! More pics please!

Jim

[phoenix]

Welcome to the site Lon.

Very nice photo.:cool!:





Cheers Jason.:pipethinker:

[BitsyLon]

Thanx to Ray, Jim, and Jason for the warm welcome and kind comments!!

Here's a re-processed image (a little more shall we say "traditional" rendition):Chessy_Smile:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m273/bitsylon/My%20Astronomy%20Images/ArcturusPS-04Jcrpszd2.jpg

Cheers,

Lon

[Radar]

Wow! Very smooth Lon. The colours in the spikes are stunning. Are they enhanced?

Thanks

Ray