Click on "original" size below to see a large 2 meg size image.

2nd place overall & 2nd place in nebulae category SPSP 2008 Astroimaging awards

See an LHaRGB version here:
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/106247807/original

AP152 F7.5 Starfire APO refractor with 4" field flattener
FLI ProLine11002 CCD & CFW-2-7
HaRGB = 100 30 30 30min (bin 1X1) Astronomik filters
-35C chip temp, darks and flats (AstroHandy LightRing used for flats)
12MPPS download speed = 1.5sec/full frame download at bin 1X1.
FOV = 1.6deg X 1.1deg at 1.6"/pix
Guide Camera: Starlightxpress SXVH9

Comments:
Average to good seeing
3/4 moon
ambient temp 20C - 24C

See a clsoe up of the Tarantula here:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/96169491/original

Equipment setup:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/81003751/original

Some links to equipment used to take this image:

Finger Lakes Instrumentation CCD cameras:

http://www.fli-cam.com/

Astro-Elecronic FS2 scope GOTO controller:

http://www.astro-electronic.de/

Gerd Neumann/Astronomik filters:

http://www.gerd.neumann.net/

http://www.astronomik.com/

MSB Software & Astroart 4

http://www.msb-astroart.com/

STAR Atlas:PRO planetarium software:

http://www.skylab.com.au/

AstroHandy Accessories

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/astrohandy_lightring

http://www.astrohandy.com