| Charlie Hein |
| (Postmaster) |
| 01/09/08 12:58 PM |
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Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll!
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Welcome to the December 2007 Cloudy Nights Imaging/Sketching Contest poll!
Each month the best images selected from the individual Cloudy Nights Imaging and Sketching forums will be presented for the userbase to vote on. The monthly winner receives the coveted Cloudy Nights t-shirt! At the conclusion of the poll, the entry with the highest total will be the winner of the contest..
Please choose your favorite out of all the images. This poll will remain open through January 15th at midnight EST.
Here are the entries for December!
Beginning Imaging's Finalist - Jeff J.:
M1 - Crab Nebula
13 October 2007
Las Cruces, NM USA
Celestron 8" SCT CF XLT @ F6.3
Takahashi EM200 Temma II
SXV-H9C, SXV guider on WOZS66
2x5min, 25x4min
Captured, LRGB extracted/aligned AstroArt3. Processed AstroArt3, PS7.
Jeffrey Johnson
Film Astrophotography's Finalist - RALF_T:
As you can see: M1. Photographed with a 12"/f5.3 Newtonian. Itīs a composite of 2 shots, 35 and 45 minutes on Kodak Royal 200. First, both negatives were scanned and combined in PS. Second, a print was made(from the 45 minute shot), scanned too, and finally combined with the negative scans.
DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing's Finalist - Strgazr27:
This was a "First Light" for my new Hutech MN-74 and Modded 40D riding on my CGE. Guided with an AT66/DSI Pro/PHD combo
NGC2244
15X300 ISO 800
Darks and Flats
Calibrated in IP Version 3
Stacked in Registar
Final processing in PSCS2
CCD Imaging & Processing's Finalist - DeepSpaceViews:
Hello,
This image of the Witch Head Nebula was taken from the 2007 Black Forest Star Party in PA.
Telescope- Takahashi FSQ-106ED
Mount- Takahashi EM-500 Temma II
Camera- SBIG STL-11000M
Filters- Astrodon L,R,G,B
All channels were taken at 8 x 10min exposures bin 1x1.
Processed in CCDStack & Adobe Photoshop CS2
A larger version can be seen here http://deepspaceviews.com/2007%20BFSP%20Witch%20Head%20Image.htm
Thank you,
Stephen T. Roffo Jr
Solar System Imaging's Finalist - Anto:
Here's my best 2007 image of Mars:
Best regards, Antonello
Sketching Forum's Finalist - John K:
here is mars,a late night sketch.I couldnt pass up the little bit of detail that I was seeing.I live under the jet stream most of the time so when I saw mars this good ... well here you go.
Good Luck to all our finalists!
*
| Cow Jazz |
| (professor emeritus) |
| 01/09/08 03:21 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll!
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I had to go with Witch Head; it was the one that made me go "WOW!". These are all very good, and it seems to get harder to decide the best one with each passing month. Way to go for all the entrees!
| A East |
| (newbie) |
| 01/09/08 03:34 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll!
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I gotta agree - Witch Head really grabs the attention.
------
Alan East
| LM321 |
| (super member) |
| 01/09/08 03:41 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll!
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I had to take a good look at all of them. They are all really nice. I did end up going with the Witch Head too. I think mainly for me anyway... it's one I haven't seen that much of.
| Protheus |
| (Vaguely offended) |
| 01/09/08 03:45 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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I thought about voting for the witch-head image, but the Mars LRGB just completely blows the mind.
Chris
| Mark Costello |
| (Pooh-Bah) |
| 01/09/08 03:48 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll!
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During lunch break today I read an article in a different telescope forum in which the author really trashed SCTs. So it's really nice to see two real nice pieces of work done using this type of telescope. Especially getting my attention was the photo of the Crab Nebula done with a C8. WAYTOGO!
Having said this, I too went for the Witch Head pic. The way it seems to hang in the starry field really was appealing.
| Opticalman |
| (member) |
| 01/09/08 03:59 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Yeah the Witch head grabs the attention alright, but a lot of times the difference in some of these photos comes right down to the equipment being used. I mean if you let the beginning Imaging Finalist - Jeff use the Takahashi FSQ-106ED, instead of an 8" SCT with an f 6.3 focal reducer the shots might have been a lot harder to call. Very good job for a newbie to the field, especially allowing for the equipment used! Jeff you've won my vote!
| iblis |
| (admirer of the sky) |
| 01/09/08 04:30 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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the witch head is so clear and vividly - it's my favourite
| outsider2222 |
| (newbie) |
| 01/09/08 04:42 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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The Witchhead is very beautiful (but has been done before) , but the detail on the Mars shot must be record-breaking (in my opinion ), I vote for Mars photo ..
| Michelle Stone |
| (Vendor (Plettstone Telescopes)) |
| 01/09/08 04:50 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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I went with the sketch. This is almost a lost art and the subtleties in this image are quite wonderful.
Michelle
| bsmart |
| (journeyman) |
| 01/09/08 04:52 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Mars for me!
| lances |
| (newbie) |
| 01/09/08 04:52 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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The Witchhead Is great. It's the clearest i've ever seen.
| mike33 |
| (newbie) |
| 01/09/08 05:05 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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The Mars sketching is my favourite. There are tons of excellent photographs of Deep Sky and of planetary objects using lots of technical equipment. But a telescope, a pencil and a sheet of paper only ... That is really wonderful!
Mike (who is an old astrophotographer)
| ericjacob613 |
| (Photon Hog) |
| 01/09/08 05:30 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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I like the first Crab, with the red lightning in it.
| cabissi |
| (journeyman) |
| 01/09/08 05:34 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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There is virtue to all of these entries. After all that is why they are here.
But the Witches Head has my vote! It has great clarity and extension. The subtleties of the coloration are as good as I have seen. This is also not done all that much because it is so hard to get. Nice work on it!
| Happy-Idiot |
| (Carpal Tunnel) |
| 01/09/08 05:45 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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| prueter |
| (newbie) |
| 01/09/08 06:10 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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I voted for the drawing of Mars. It requires a great deal of observing skill which goes unnoticed unless someone has actually sat and observed for concentrated moments. I was impressed with the drawing. For his mind had to compile the layers of views picked up by the eyes, carefully note them and make trhe composite we see.
| Kelley |
| (member) |
| 01/09/08 06:20 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Witch Head for me. I went through them all and didn't read anything at first. I just wanted to look at them all first and then recall in my memory which one stood out the best and why. The rest of them look like any other picture you would see on any site that has astronomy pictures. The Witch Head Nebula stood out in my memory and I was intrigued by seeing it.
I am a novice, so I cannot comment on the equipment used or what "has been done before", but I was just basing my vote on the most memorable.
PS - Brian -- I like your quote very much!
| guydickinson |
| (journeyman) |
| 01/09/08 06:31 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Thought the Witch Head is excellent but ended voting for the 'Beginning' finalist. All excellent as usual!
| nitrohepcat |
| (member) |
| 01/09/08 07:03 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Great Sketch. I also saw two polar caps, but your sketch is much better than mine. Great Job!
| Awesomelenny |
| (Carpal Tunnel) |
| 01/09/08 07:12 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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I loved the Crab shots but for reasons that Mars looked so "alive" I voted for that image! They are all so superb!
Great work by all!
| DugDog |
| (Pooh-Bah) |
| 01/09/08 07:17 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Witch Head! Excellent Photo FTW!
DD
| w orchid |
| (scholastic sledgehammer) |
| 01/09/08 07:29 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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I thought the witch head shot is breath taking, but the images of Mars are superb.
| svreno |
| (newbie) |
| 01/09/08 07:39 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Witch Head really is something "out of this world"; great job all!
| dvb |
| (different Syndrome.) |
| 01/09/08 08:25 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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I was also very struck by the Witch's Head, but the Mars shot is especially remarkable for an Earth-bound amateur.
| Gendo |
| (Post Laureate) |
| 01/09/08 09:13 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Great shots all around, but in my opinion, Anto's shot is the best.
| johangw |
| (super member) |
| 01/10/08 12:31 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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The Witchhead is my favorite
| Ido Oosterveld |
| (newbie) |
| 01/10/08 02:38 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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I vote the sketch too, because everybody can do it, and some reach beautifull results!
| ADS-Netphen |
| (newbie) |
| 01/10/08 02:46 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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For each they are all great.
I made the decision of the best handmade work. Therefore I choose Anto's Mars : Those very small details and the precision of putting slightly angle-differences together, was most impressing.
Carsten
| boogie |
| (member) |
| 01/10/08 03:31 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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As always, great job from everyone, but my vote goes to anto.
By far, the best amateur LRGB of Mars I've EVER seen.
The detail just blows my mind ...
| L.A. Rob |
| (member) |
| 01/10/08 03:48 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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All so awesome!!! Congrats to all the finalists!!! WOW!!
| gregmartin |
| (newbie) |
| 01/10/08 04:44 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Wow. There isn't an image here I don't like!
Well done to all those who have demonstrated such wonderful talent.
| Golden_Morgan |
| (newbie) |
| 01/10/08 06:39 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Mars for me! So detailed it seems so close...
| cheekygeek |
| (member) |
| 01/10/08 09:28 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Perhaps I don't understand the criteria for "beginning". It's like we're voting for "beginning drivers" but some of them are in 18-wheelers.
| cheekygeek |
| (member) |
| 01/10/08 09:32 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Oh, I get it. The "beginning" is up against the experienced in other categories. Please ignore my newbiness.
| pops |
| (sage) |
| 01/10/08 09:35 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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No doubt the Witchhead looks awesome . . . but the sketch is some real great talent. Nothing at all against the photography, but the sketch is really tops.
| Yossi Hury |
| (member) |
| 01/10/08 09:43 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Hello
I had a hard decision between the Rosette and the Witch Head.
But my winner is. . . . .the witch head.
yossi
| mikeyL |
| (member) |
| 01/10/08 10:36 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Well, as a new 40D owner, I found that photo personally exciting, but both the witch head shot and the Mars images are impressive. I finally went with the witch head shot, being partial to DSOs myself. All the work is excellent, and like someone else said, the sketch is very impressive in its own right! Way to go everyone!
| Andrew Welsh |
| (Carpal Tunnel) |
| 01/10/08 11:14 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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The witch head is always visually striking.. I was impressed with the film photo of M1- great detail and a lot of patience and superior polar alignment to get 35-45 min subs. My vote however went with Anto's mars image. It's quite striking and Damian-Peach level of quality. World class!
| HughB |
| (journeyman) |
| 01/10/08 12:34 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Stephen's Witch Head is outstanding. But I had to vote for John's picture of Mars. You can sketch some other planets from memory, but Mars changes. Well done.
| Blur |
| (member) |
| 01/11/08 02:20 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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The Witch Head because I've never see it imaged. Look very much like it's name....who would have thought.
| paul rapp |
| (member) |
| 01/13/08 04:49 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Witch Head! As usual, all the work was great but this is the finest view of ic2118 I've seen. Thank you all.
| paul rapp |
| (member) |
| 01/13/08 04:50 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Witch Head! As usual, all the work was great but this is the finest view of ic 2118 I've seen. Thank you all for your efforts.
| nNemethon |
| (super member) |
| 01/14/08 02:37 AM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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With top marks for all entries (especially Anto for a beautiful Mars) I gave it in the end to Stephen and the Witch Head. Awesome detail and contrast and I like the pretty blue hue. :P
Good job all, I am jealous all over again.
Erik
*edit: (lol - just looked at eveyone else's vote. I am now 'common'!
)
| $pace @ce |
| (journeyman) |
| 01/14/08 09:11 PM |
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Re: Dec07 CN Imaging-Sketching Contest Finals Poll
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Like most comments here, it was down to the witch head or mars image for me. Love the way the witch head jumps off the screen, but the amount of detail in the mars image is phenomenal for a ground based "amateur" image. Anto's mars got my vote.