ATIK 320e Lagoon

[jmelquist]

Love this camera - here is an Ha(R) Sii(G) Oiii(B) of the Lagoon with just 2 five min exposures in Ha, very low noise thanks to this camera!  This image was acquired thru a CGEM8" SCT from Chaska, MN.

[Max]

Hello

With these short exposures it’s really amazing. It seems there is no noise left.

Max

[Steve]

Hello, 
Lovely picture,  we don't get to see so many 320E images so thanks for posting.
Steve

[jmelquist]

After owning this camera for well over a year (and putting it thru it's paces...around 2500+ exposures) I must say, I'm really enjoying this camera.  Most of 2011 I used the camera with a C8 + f/3.3 reducer to get a 30'x24' FOV, but with significant coma (due to f/3.3 w/o corrector).  Since switching to an SW80BD refractor (f7.5) I now get a native 40'x30' FOV (w/o a reducer) which is just right for most brighter DSO objects and completely eliminated the coma.  The 320e's low noise allows me to shoot w/o darks (yes, i could improve my images a bit more with darks, but for now i'm happy).  Its been rock solid.

[ruitripa]

Nice work! May I ask permission to upload this one to our website gallery?

[jmelquist]

ruitripa, of course!

[Lex]

Jason,

Indeed a nice piece of work!!
How did you integer the diffraction spikes with a 8"SCT?

Best

Lex

[jmelquist]

spikes added for artistic effect during post processing.  I've used a course screen over the objective to produce them, but software allows for balancing of the effect to taste.  (i acknowlege that some object to doing this, but i'm in it for the art not the science.)

[Lex]

Jason,

Hehe do agree with You! Sometimes DS are simply nice and sometimes not...
I like them, how exactly have you done this course-screen; nylon wire painted black or something like that?

Best

Lex

[jmelquist]

I used 18 gauge solid wire (silver) wrapped around a frame which hung over my objective.  crude and ugly, but effective.

[Warhen]

Nice detail! Artful composition too. I usually like seeing an object in its entirety but I thought this was a very 'Jay GaBany-ish' impressionistic display and I like it!