Test shots using "Nebulosity" Software for DSLR focus Star fields in the Summer Milkyway

Uploaded 6/29/14

 Here are two shots taken from the backyard observatory here in Payson with the 80mm f/4.8 Stellarvue/Zeiss APO. Critical focus was achieved using "Nebulosity", an image processing software by Stark Labs which also makes the auto guiding software I use for all imaging at the telescope. Two fields are represented here, the first is a 4 degree field around the star Antares with one of the only orange reflection nebulas in the sky covering most of the field. M4 is to the right.

The second image is just north up the Milky Way and includes the nebula M17 at the top (Swan nebula) and other obscure red nebulosites in a rich star field.

Orange Antares is lower left, the globular M4 to its right. At the top is the blue nebula IC4605, and in the center of the frame is the smaller globular NGC6144. Select an image size for a larger view: 1290 x 960 1600 x 1200
Left: Enlargement of just the area around M4 to show the sharp focus using this new tool.
M17 is the red nebula at upper left. IC4701 is the large red nebula just to right of center, and lower left is the open cluster M18. Select an image size for a larger view: 1290 x 960 1600 x 1200
Lens: Stellarvue SV80s at f/4.8 Camera: Canon XTi Hutech Modified ASA400 Mount: Astrophysics AP1200 Location: Payson, Arizona Elevation: 5150 ft. Sky: Seeing 4/10, Transparency 6/10 Outside Temperature: 55F Processing Tools: Photoshop CS2, Maxim DSLR, Images Plus HOME GALAXIES EMISSION NEBS REFLECTION NEBS COMETS GLOBULARS OPEN CLUST PLANETARIES LINKS