NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

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bradleybcraig
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NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#1

Post by bradleybcraig »

Greetings Sky Searchers!

I've had an unprecedented run of nights, 5 total capturing 7 or so hours each night. Coupling that with a few nights of Ha earlier in the month, this image comes in at just over 33 hours. I am pretty please overall but may play with it some more ... thanks for looking, hope you enjoy it!
SHO.jpg
Full Resolution:
- Flickr:
- Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/full/fjz64r/B/?real=&mod=

Here are the details:

Imaging telescope: Mallincam VRC-8
Imaging camera: Atik 383L+ mono
Mount: CEM60
Guiding telescope: Mallincam VRC-8
Guiding camera: Starlight Xpress Loadestar X2
Focal reducer: CCDT67

Software: PixInsight PinInsight 1.8, Main Sequence Software Sequence Generator, PHD2

Filters: Astrodon OIII 3 nm, Astrodon H-Alpha 3nm, Astrodon SII 3 nm
Accessories: Atik EFW2 Filter Wheel, Atik OAG, Moonlite High res stepper motor and Mini-V2 controller

Resolution: 2457x3246

Dates:Aug. 16, 2019, Aug. 17, 2019, Aug. 28, 2019, Aug. 29, 2019, Aug. 30, 2019, Aug. 31, 2019, Sept. 1, 2019

Frames:
Astrodon H-Alpha 3nm: 70x600" -10C bin 1x1
Astrodon OIII 3 nm: 70x600" -10C bin 1x1
Astrodon SII 3 nm: 59x600" -10C bin 1x1

Integration: 33.2 hours

Avg. Moon age: 13.10 days
Avg. Moon phase: 30.11%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 7.00

RA center: 13.211 degrees
DEC center: 56.628 degrees
Pixel scale: 1.085 arcsec/pixel

Orientation: 90.045 degrees
Field radius: 0.614 degrees

Locations: Backyard, Charlotte, NC, United States
-Brad

Hardware: Meade 8" ACF, Mallincam CF VRC-8 & 0.75 reducer w/ Moonlite 2" CS focuser & High Res Stepper, WO Star 71 w/ Moonlite High Res Stepper,
iOptron CEM60, Modified Canon 450D, Atik 383L+ mono, Lodestar X2, 2" Atik EFW2, Astrodon 36mm 3nm NB Ha/Sii/Oiii Filters, LRGB Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance Filters, PoleMaster
Software: SkySafari Pro, Sequence Generator Pro, PHD2, PixInsight
Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/a028964/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bradleycr ... roimaging/
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sdbodin United States of America
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#2

Post by sdbodin »

Wow, nice! But, 33+ hours, I don't have that kind of fortitude.

Clear skies,
Steve
Scopes; Meade 16 LX200, AT80LE, plus bunch just sitting around gathering dust
Cameras; Atik 460ex mono, Zwo ASI1600MC-cool, QHY5L-II color and mono
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Don Quixote
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#3

Post by Don Quixote »

This is a super image, Brad...worth ever minute ! 😊
And thank you for rhe thorough documentation on your capture.
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Thefatkitty Online Canada
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#4

Post by Thefatkitty »

Great image Brad; love the color! Have to say, I don't know what I'm more impressed with... Your image or your 5 day run! :lol: I'd have to say both are remarkable for different reasons.

Hope it continues for you and all the best,
Mark

"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4, AZ-EQ5 and SolarQuest mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.

Solar:
H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D.
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#5

Post by MariusD69 »

WOW! Very impressive! Great work, Brad!!
Marius
Mount: iOpton Cem60, HEQ5-for spare
Scopes: newt SW 150/750PDS, dobson SW 150/1200; SW 114/500; TS Photoline 80mm f/6 Triplet APO; SW ST80
Cameras: ASI294MC Pro; ASI1600MM Pro; Atik 314L+mono; Canon 1100D; QHY5III-178m; QHY5L-II-m ; ASI224; Altair GPCAM 290M, GPCAM290C
Accessories: Baader MPCC; GPU KomakorrF4; TS Flat2; TS 0.79x FR/FF
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#6

Post by chartram »

Really intense shot Brad! Not sure how much more you could do with it. How do you like the RC?

:sprefac:

Mike
Mike Chartrand
Scopes: WO Star 71 Gen-II (F/4.9), Astro-Tech AT115EDT (F/7), Celestron 8" Edge HD (F/10)
Cameras: ZWO ASI1600MM w/ Baader 1.25" LRGB & Narrowband Filters, ZWO ASI174MM mini, Starlight Xpress Lodestar X2
Mount: Skywatcher NEQ6 Pro
Guiding: Orion ST-80 (f/5) w/ADM MiniMax (side-by-side), ZWO OAG
Software: PHD2, Sequence Generator Pro, PixInsight
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#7

Post by bradleybcraig »

sdbodin wrote: ↑Sun Sep 01, 2019 4:56 pm Wow, nice! But, 33+ hours, I don't have that kind of fortitude.

Clear skies,
Steve
Thanks, Steve! I got to say it was really hands off. Came home from work, fired up everything and cooled camera. Then about 9:15pm hit the run sequence button and let her go all night. Rinse, repeat.
Don Quixote wrote: ↑Sun Sep 01, 2019 5:13 pm This is a super image, Brad...worth ever minute ! 😊
And thank you for rhe thorough documentation on your capture.
Thank you, Don!
Thefatkitty wrote: ↑Sun Sep 01, 2019 5:18 pm Great image Brad; love the color! Have to say, I don't know what I'm more impressed with... Your image or your 5 day run! :lol: I'd have to say both are remarkable for different reasons.

Hope it continues for you and all the best,
Thanks, glad you liked it and I appreciate the kind words!
MariusD69 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 01, 2019 7:17 pm WOW! Very impressive! Great work, Brad!!
Thanks, Marius!

chartram wrote: ↑Sun Sep 01, 2019 7:17 pm Really intense shot Brad! Not sure how much more you could do with it. How do you like the RC?

:sprefac:

Mike
Thanks, Mike. Yes I am really finally getting to use the RC and I am liking it very much. First year of ownership didn't see much use, but I forced myself later last year to get the collimation dialed in and now I am using it and finding it really nice for close up imaging.
-Brad

Hardware: Meade 8" ACF, Mallincam CF VRC-8 & 0.75 reducer w/ Moonlite 2" CS focuser & High Res Stepper, WO Star 71 w/ Moonlite High Res Stepper,
iOptron CEM60, Modified Canon 450D, Atik 383L+ mono, Lodestar X2, 2" Atik EFW2, Astrodon 36mm 3nm NB Ha/Sii/Oiii Filters, LRGB Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance Filters, PoleMaster
Software: SkySafari Pro, Sequence Generator Pro, PHD2, PixInsight
Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/a028964/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bradleycr ... roimaging/
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#8

Post by bladekeeper »

Wow! Very impressive, Brad!
Bryan
Scopes: Apertura AD12 f/5; Celestron C6-R f/8; ES AR127 f/6.4; Stellarvue SV102T f/7; iOptron MC90 f/13.3; Orion ST80A f/5; ES ED80 f/6; Celestron Premium 80 f/11.4; Celestron C80 f/11.4; Unitron Model 142 f/16; Meade NG60 f/10
Mounts: Celestron AVX; Bresser EXOS-2; ES Twilight I; ES Twilight II; iOptron Cube-G; AZ3/wood tripod; Vixen Polaris
Binoculars: Pentax PCF WP II 10×50, Bresser Corvette 10×50, Bresser Hunter 16×50 and 8×40, Garrett Gemini 12×60 LW, Gordon 10×50, Apogee 20×100
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

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Post by bradleybcraig »

bladekeeper wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2019 1:39 am Wow! Very impressive, Brad!
Thanks, Bryan!
-Brad

Hardware: Meade 8" ACF, Mallincam CF VRC-8 & 0.75 reducer w/ Moonlite 2" CS focuser & High Res Stepper, WO Star 71 w/ Moonlite High Res Stepper,
iOptron CEM60, Modified Canon 450D, Atik 383L+ mono, Lodestar X2, 2" Atik EFW2, Astrodon 36mm 3nm NB Ha/Sii/Oiii Filters, LRGB Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance Filters, PoleMaster
Software: SkySafari Pro, Sequence Generator Pro, PHD2, PixInsight
Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/a028964/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bradleycr ... roimaging/
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

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Post by OzEclipse »

Superb image Brad. Thanks for sharing.

Joe
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Amateur astronomer since 1978...................Web site : http://joe-cali.com/
Scopes: ATM 18" Dob, Vixen VC200L, ATM 6"f7, Stellarvue 102ED, Saxon ED80, WO M70 ED, Orion 102 Maksutov, ST80.
Mounts: Takahashi EM-200, iOptron iEQ45, Push dobsonian with Nexus DSC, three homemade EQ's.
Eyepieces: TV Naglers 31, 17, 12, 7; Denkmeier D21 & D14; Pentax XW10, XW5, Unitron 40mm Kellner, Meade Or 25,12
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#11

Post by bradleybcraig »

OzEclipse wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2019 9:20 am Superb image Brad. Thanks for sharing.

Joe
Thanks, Joe!
-Brad

Hardware: Meade 8" ACF, Mallincam CF VRC-8 & 0.75 reducer w/ Moonlite 2" CS focuser & High Res Stepper, WO Star 71 w/ Moonlite High Res Stepper,
iOptron CEM60, Modified Canon 450D, Atik 383L+ mono, Lodestar X2, 2" Atik EFW2, Astrodon 36mm 3nm NB Ha/Sii/Oiii Filters, LRGB Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance Filters, PoleMaster
Software: SkySafari Pro, Sequence Generator Pro, PHD2, PixInsight
Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/a028964/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bradleycr ... roimaging/
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#12

Post by bradleybcraig »

Couple of slight tweaks ...
  • UnsharpMask w/ highly focused grey mask protecting background and low signal with grey mask allowing nebula (higher signal) exposure
  • ColorSaturation with mild curve above Blue hues
  • CurvesTransformation w/ mask protecting high signal to adjust RGB/K to bring background down a touch
  • Another DarkStructureEnhance
  • Original orientation as shot
SHO Pac Man.jpg
-Brad

Hardware: Meade 8" ACF, Mallincam CF VRC-8 & 0.75 reducer w/ Moonlite 2" CS focuser & High Res Stepper, WO Star 71 w/ Moonlite High Res Stepper,
iOptron CEM60, Modified Canon 450D, Atik 383L+ mono, Lodestar X2, 2" Atik EFW2, Astrodon 36mm 3nm NB Ha/Sii/Oiii Filters, LRGB Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance Filters, PoleMaster
Software: SkySafari Pro, Sequence Generator Pro, PHD2, PixInsight
Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/a028964/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bradleycr ... roimaging/
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Post by MartinF »

That is super impressive!
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

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Post by helicon »

That's just an amazing image. And one you really had to work at to get - congrats Brad!
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

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Post by Bigzmey »

Nice details and colors. Well done Brad!
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#16

Post by bradleybcraig »

MartinF wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2019 8:23 pm That is super impressive!
helicon wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2019 9:22 pm That's just an amazing image. And one you really had to work at to get - congrats Brad!
Bigzmey wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2019 11:35 pm Nice details and colors. Well done Brad!
Thanks everyone!
-Brad

Hardware: Meade 8" ACF, Mallincam CF VRC-8 & 0.75 reducer w/ Moonlite 2" CS focuser & High Res Stepper, WO Star 71 w/ Moonlite High Res Stepper,
iOptron CEM60, Modified Canon 450D, Atik 383L+ mono, Lodestar X2, 2" Atik EFW2, Astrodon 36mm 3nm NB Ha/Sii/Oiii Filters, LRGB Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance Filters, PoleMaster
Software: SkySafari Pro, Sequence Generator Pro, PHD2, PixInsight
Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/a028964/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bradleycr ... roimaging/
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#17

Post by AntennaGuy »

That one is so nice that I just downloaded it and set it as my desktop background. I presume/hope you don't mind.
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* Celestron C6 SCT on a Twilight 1 Alt-Az mount
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#18

Post by STEVE333 »

That's amazing Brad. Bortle 7!! Your NB filters do a wonderful job. Well done.

Steve
Steve King: Light Pollution (Bortle 5)
Telescope + Mount + Guiding: W.O. Star71-ii + iOptron CEM40 EC + Orion Magnificent Mini AutoGuider
Camera: ASI 1600MM Pro + EFW Filter Wheel + Chroma 3nm Siii, Ha, Oiii + ZWO LRGB Filters
Software: PHD2; APT; PixInsight ***** My AP website: www.steveking.pictures
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#19

Post by bradleybcraig »

AntennaGuy wrote: ↑Tue Sep 03, 2019 12:44 am That one is so nice that I just downloaded it and set it as my desktop background. I presume/hope you don't mind.
Thank you! I don't mind at all and am honored :text-thankyoublue:
-Brad

Hardware: Meade 8" ACF, Mallincam CF VRC-8 & 0.75 reducer w/ Moonlite 2" CS focuser & High Res Stepper, WO Star 71 w/ Moonlite High Res Stepper,
iOptron CEM60, Modified Canon 450D, Atik 383L+ mono, Lodestar X2, 2" Atik EFW2, Astrodon 36mm 3nm NB Ha/Sii/Oiii Filters, LRGB Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance Filters, PoleMaster
Software: SkySafari Pro, Sequence Generator Pro, PHD2, PixInsight
Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/a028964/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bradleycr ... roimaging/
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Re: NGC 281 - Pacman Nebula SHO

#20

Post by bradleybcraig »

STEVE333 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 03, 2019 1:32 am That's amazing Brad. Bortle 7!! Your NB filters do a wonderful job. Well done.
Appreciate it, Steve! I love my narrow band filters and couldn't imagine life with out them here in the suburbs ... :Astronomer1:
-Brad

Hardware: Meade 8" ACF, Mallincam CF VRC-8 & 0.75 reducer w/ Moonlite 2" CS focuser & High Res Stepper, WO Star 71 w/ Moonlite High Res Stepper,
iOptron CEM60, Modified Canon 450D, Atik 383L+ mono, Lodestar X2, 2" Atik EFW2, Astrodon 36mm 3nm NB Ha/Sii/Oiii Filters, LRGB Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance Filters, PoleMaster
Software: SkySafari Pro, Sequence Generator Pro, PHD2, PixInsight
Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/a028964/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bradleycr ... roimaging/
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