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Here is an object which reveals many faint outer tendrils of nebulosity, spanning the full size of the 6.5 degree schmidt camera field. To get the best contrast, five deep images were combined by averaging in maxim DL, which literally took my computer to its processing knees when registering and stacking five 25Mb files. Key details to note are the fan shaped extensions off each end, the striated "mane" across its back, and the loop of nebulosity around the star at the bottom of the nebula. This was a focus test image in anticipation for use up in Happy Jack, where the skies are really dark.

Additional Processing notes: The huge number of stars overwhelmed the nebula, so the minimum filter was applied at 50 percent fade to bring up the nebula. And finally, SGBNR was used to smooth out the slightly grainy outer parts of the nebula.

Instrument:  8" f/1.5 Celestron Schmidt Camera
Platform:  Homemade GEM
Film:  Kodak PJ400
CCD Autoguider: ST4
Exposure:  5x4mins
Filters:  UV
Location:  Payson, Arizona
Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing 8/10, Transparency 8/10
Outside Temperature:  -0 C
Processing: Maxim DL, Photoshop, SGBNR

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