IC1396 and the Garnet star (Ian Dixon)

Celestial hemisphere: Northern · Constellation: Cepheus (Cep) · Contains: B160 · B161 · B162 · B163 · B365 · B367 · B368 · Erakis · IC 1396 · PK097+03.1 · PK098+02.1 · PK100+04.1 · Sh2-131 · The star Garnet Star (μCep) · VdB142 · mu. Cep

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IC1396 and the Garnet star

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IC1396 and the Garnet star

We set out for the cabin to gather some wide skyscape images of the (usually very strong) aurora. Getting up there (about 230 km north of the city) the aurora were nowhere to be seen.

Plan B was to try out my new refractor, unguided on some well-known targets to see how we could do.

I have had my mind on IC1396 for a long time, as its so elusive as a visual target, and even in my big dob I couldn't get a handle on the fine points of this star-generating region.

I used my dock to get these subs, and had to tread lightly because while the structure is embedded in granite (two big pieces > 2000 kg each), the wooden structure will move a little with footsteps. This results in "jumpy" stars. Que sera sera, I am on the lake and the sound of wavelets washing up on the beach was very soothing while drinking a bottle of water and watching the sky wheel overhead.

Focusing with a Bahtinov: Second time ever in using my Bahtinov mask. What a pleasure it is to use, the interference pattern is crystal clear in the live view LCD screen of my 60D.

Astronomical dark is around 12 am or so, that's when I started shooting, and finished up around 2 am. I like this HEQ5 mount, thanks again to my friend Kevin Whiteside from this list.

In this image I have used 120s subs, and have about 48 min into it. With some additional time, I think I could make the image really pop. This version has an initial stack in APP and then adjusted in PS and Lightroom.

Thanks for looking!

Ian

"Simply Stellarvue"
Camera Lens Astrophotography
AstroBin Platform open discussions community forum
The refractors!
Cloudy Nights
Canadian Astrophotography

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Status	Advanced success
Started	...
Astrometry.net job	3604793
PixInsight job	CGE3CX7Y43KGZ03KG25F45WS6QRSK41V
PixInsight queue size	n/a
PixInsight stage	n/a

RA (center)	21h39m11s.61
RA (top/left)	21h33m34s.10
RA (top/right)	21h27m13s.10
RA (bottom/right)	21h44m12s.50
RA (bottom/left)	21h52m09s.10

Dec (center)	+57°31′43″.2
Dec (top/left)	+59°37′43″.1
Dec (top/right)	+56°01′25″.10
Dec (bottom/right)	+55°24′45″.6
Dec (bottom/left)	+58°57′18″.8

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IC1396 and the Garnet star

IC1396 and the Garnet star

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IC1396 and the Garnet star

IC1396 and the Garnet star

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