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Around the Propeller Nebula (Simeis 57, DW111/DW119), Uwe Deutermann
Around the Propeller Nebula (Simeis 57, DW111/DW119), Uwe Deutermann

Around the Propeller Nebula (Simeis 57, DW111/DW119)

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
Around the Propeller Nebula (Simeis 57, DW111/DW119), Uwe Deutermann
Around the Propeller Nebula (Simeis 57, DW111/DW119), Uwe Deutermann

Around the Propeller Nebula (Simeis 57, DW111/DW119)

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Description

As I mentioned in a recent comment: it is also good to see some failure images, only from mistakes one can learn, and maybe it passes as well some information to some people who consider a similar setup.
Amazingly enough ... I got 2 nights (well, more 1.5) of clear skies in the middle of July, just in time after I received a new front plate for my filter wheel so that I could use an M54 to M48 adapter instead of the "fused" M54/M42 adapter. Thanks to ATIK for the nice service, saved a lot of money (although, please consider a PayPal account or something similar in the future, the bank wire transfer was $50, almost as much as the front plate itself!).
So, what was wrong? Well ... several things.
1. As I saw already in my flats that I took inside the house (at least something to do in this miserable weather, see https://www.astrobin.com/6qel1q/), the 0.72 reducer / M48 exit of the telescope is still causing some major vignetting in the edges using the ASI 6200. And indeed, the images that I took show the same behavior (if you zoom into the corners you can easily see the problems, even after major(!) processing). I was quite disappointed since I thought that M48 would be enough since the diagonal size of the 6200 sensor is around 44mm. Yes, I know as a Physicist about interference patterns at the edges, well ... "nice proof of that light behavior. Maybe my setup is not the way it should be (scope - M48/M54 adapter 1.65mm - filter wheel at M54 - ASI6200). Might it be better to put the filter wheel directly at the scope exit? Do not think so, but maybe someone else has some experience to share.
2. Tilt! Yes, plain and simple, tilt. I wondered already why the 6200 came with a tilt adapter right out of the box, maybe they anticipated already something like that? I setup my scope right now already just with extenders and the next time I am out (whenever this will happen) I will try to tackle this.
3. Focus! As if the 6200 setup problems are not enough, yes, the focuser was mean to me LOLOL. When moving the focuser one can clearly see that it once in a while does not grab enough, more of a sliding. Easiest to see when you move the focuser to let's say from position 20000 to 40000 and then back to 20000. Should be at the same spot ... well ... it was not. Took it already apart and tried to fix it, I think it is better now, but still not perfect. I just can't get the focuser attached without a slight wiggle, hmmmm. What definitely played a role: the weight of the image train! The 6200 is already not a light camera, the filter wheel surely is adding a lot. If I would have a choice now I would buy myself a new filter wheel with just four or five 2" positions, at least a bit lighter. Again, maybe someone else has some experience with this, I would appreciate help!

With all that said, this is what I could come up with in a bit less than 4 hours integration time (at least!!!). This image is a combination of a lot of processing results. Created a PRGB (pseudo RGB as mentioned in previous images), SHO and HSO. Every result created a color combination that I was not really fond of, hence this kind of weird come together. And of course the star handling was special, overcoming the not ideal focus, tilt and vignetting. But in desperate times, desperate results are the only ones to achieve.

Stay safe out there, get vaccinated if not already done (you do me a personal favor with it since I want to visit my mom in Germany in September and fear that they might close the borders again ... on BOTH sides!)!

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    Around the Propeller Nebula (Simeis 57, DW111/DW119), Uwe Deutermann
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Around the Propeller Nebula (Simeis 57, DW111/DW119), Uwe Deutermann