CCD Images - Taken with SBIG ST-4000XCM Camera, 10" LX-200 Classic, operating at f/5.6

From my heavily light-polluted back yard...
(Click any thumbnail image below to see a full-size image.)


M76
A Planetary Nebula.
12 Dec 10
NGC1514
Planetary nebula
17 Jan 2011
NGC2071 and M78
Nebulae
17 Jan 2011
NGC2261 - Hubble's Variable Nebula
20 Jan 2011
 this nebula shines brighter or dimmer as the variable star providing the irradiance varys.
NGC3242
Planetary Nebula
20 Jan 2011

NGC2438
Planetary Nebula
23 Jan 2011
NGC2903
Galaxy
38 5-minute images stacked (averaged.)  Additional post processing in MaximDL, PaintShop Pro.






Taken at the Griffen Ranch Arizona site, 1-5 Dec 2010.  High thin clouds were present much of the time.  Only one really clear night...
(Click any thumbnail image below to see a full-size image.)


Cone Nebula
Part of SH2-273
One of my favorite objects.  First saw it in a book containing Polamar photos when I was in the 4th grade.
IC443
Nebula
M1 - Crab Nebula
Remnant of the 1054 supernova.
Reported by people around the world except by Europeans where the Pope had said the Heavens were "unchanging."
NGC7293
The Helix Nebula.
A planetary Nebula.
NGC1055
Galaxy


Taken at the Big Bend Star Party in Alpine, Texas, 7-10 Oct 2010
(Click any thumbnail image below to see a full-size image.)


IC434
Horsehead Nebula
NGC253
Galaxy
NGC1532
Galaxy
M33
Galaxy
NGC1491
Nebula

IC5070
Head of the Pelican Nebula
NGC6960
A component of the Veil Nebula
M45
The Pleiades cluster

From my heavily light-polluted back yard (near Baseline and McClintock)
(Click any thumbnail image below to see a full-size image.)

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M20 - The Trifid Nebula
5/6 June 2010
Meade LX-200 f/6.3 scope
Seven 5 minute exposures stacked (added) - Additional MaximDL and Paint Shop Pro processing.
M20 - The Trifid Nebula
For COMPARISON.  Shot with Canon RebelXT.
11 June 2010
Meade LX-200 f/6.3 scope
Fifteen two minute exposures stacked (added) - Additional MaximDL and Paint Shop Pro processing. 

Note how light pollution dominates...

M16 - The Eagle Nebula
6/7 June 2010
Meade LX-200 f/6.3 scope
Four 5 minute exposures and three 10 minute exposures stacked (averaged) - Additional MaximDL and Paint Shop Pro processing. 

M13 - Good Globular Cluster
7/8 June 2010
Meade LX-200 f/6.3 scope
Fourteen 1 minute exposures  stacked (averaged) - Additional MaximDL and Paint Shop Pro processing. 

NGC4565 Good Spiral Galaxy
8/9 June 2010
Meade LX-200 f/6.3 scope
Fifteen 5 minute exposures  stacked (averaged) - Additional MaximDL and Paint Shop Pro processing.
This pretty much shows where light pollution takes over.  Should be able to get  a MUCH better image from a dark sky site...

M57 - The Ring Nebula
2/3 July 2010
Meade LX-200 f/6.3 scope
Seven 10 minute exposures stacked (added) - Additional MaximDL and Paint Shop Pro processing.
M17 - The Swan Nebula
3/4 July 2010
Ten 10 minute exposures stacked (added) - Additional MaximDL and Paint Shop Pro processing.
NGC6357-  I think of this as the "Gargoyle."
4/5 Jul 2010
Ten 10 minute exposures stacked (added) - Additional MaximDL and Paint Shop Pro processing.



About the SBIG ST-4000XCM camera:

Wow!  I am getting better shots from my light polluted back yard with this camera than I EVER got from really dark-sky sites using my older SBIG ST-7XME camera! 

I am amazed...

When I was considering upgrading my camera equipment, I really debated in my mind whether to buy this "single-shot" camera or one of the more conventional black and white cameras using filter wheels.  I am TOTALLY convinced now that I made the right decision!  Click here to see why I think this turned out to be a great decision.