21 replies to this topic

[jdbastro]

Hi All. Snappped the pics below through a Gen 3 thin film image intensifier with a 50mm f1.3 lens and a 12nm H-alpha filter. Every shot is at 2X magnification. Exposure time is 1 sec. Took these from Mount Pinos, Calif where the temperature was in the teens. The live views with the eye looked very similar to the pics. Enjoy.

First up: Barnards Loop:

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[jdbastro]

Next is the Rosette with some accompanying nebulosity:

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[jdbastro]

Then we have the Meissa Nebula in Orion:

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[jdbastro]

And the California Nebula:

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[jdbastro]

Here's the Heart and Soul Nebulae:

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[jdbastro]

And finally, the Seagull Nebula in Canis Major:

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[Moromete]

I think WOW is the appropriate word

[Tapio]

Any comparison without the Ha filter ?

[GlennLeDrew]

I am SO envious!!

[PEterW]

How dark and transparent were the skies? Go and get a copy of Reiner vogels Sharpless observers guide, there are a lot more that are worth a try though Auriga and Gemini. Without the filter you'd not see much at all, you need to give the intensifier only the light you want and nothing else for maximum contrast.

Cheers

Peter

[nytecam]

Very impressive shots I especially like the Orion Barnard's Loop

[Jeff Smith]

Very nice!

[jdbastro]

Here's one more shot. This is the Flaming Star nebula and IC 410 in Auriga - same settings / equipment as previous pics:

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[StarStuff1]

Thank you jdbastro! Great pics. What you have posted is exactly what I have seen with my IIE and small but fast lenses/scopes. When I first saw the Meissa Ring I was confused as I had not even heard of it before. The Seagull Nebula is new to me. Gotta look for that.

[highfnum]

Nice

reference shot barnards loop thru biph I took a while back
http://www.cloudynig...php?photo=19709

[StarStuff1]

Ahh, the Seagull Nebula. Also called Gum 1 and usually attributed to Monoceros. Yes I have seen that one with my IIE about this time 4 years ago at a nice dark spot on the SC beach.

[Jim Chung]

That's great! Do you have to be at a dark site even with the Ha filter to see this stuff with the IE??

[dtripz]

Which tube and housing are you using for these images,they look great, very envious.

[jdbastro]

That's great! Do you have to be at a dark site even with the Ha filter to see this stuff with the IE??

Many of these are visible within the city, but the finer details and edges won't show as well. For example, Barnard's Loop might be barely visible whereas the Rosette should show pretty well. I can't really see the Meissa nebula within the confines of Los Angeles. In brighter skies, a narrower H-alpha filter provides better contrast - I prefer a 7nm filter in this case. Good luck!
-J

[jdbastro]

Which tube and housing are you using for these images,they look great, very envious.

I used a fairly high grade ITT gen 3 thin film tube (SNR > 29, EBI < 1) to get these pics. The housing is a Micro Monocular from Night Vision Depot.

[dtripz]

I imagine the cost for that system must be around 3,000$ , I'm very surprised that this technology has been around for such a long time but has never dropped in price.

[jdbastro]

I imagine the cost for that system must be around 3,000$ , I'm very surprised that this technology has been around for such a long time but has never dropped in price.

If you buy the tube separately and then purchase the housing kit, you can do it for around $2600, but yes night vision is kind of pricey. The cost and technology level progression is driven by the demands of the US Military. Without a push for this technology by the Military, it would NOT be as impressive as it currently is. Also, there are only two manufacturers of image tubes in the US, namely L3 and ITT/Excelis. Many of the steps in their menufacturing processes are actually classified.
For all of this cost, though, when you apply it to visual astronomy, it's pretty cool to see many deep sky objects LIVE in real-time that would otherwise only be available thru timed, still photography / imaging.
Personally, I get goose bumps every time I view the sky thru current technology night vision gear. In my opinion, nothing beats a live view of the N American Nebula, or the Rosette, or blazing globular clusters that look like photographs but sparkle in real time vs. local seeing conditions. It's pretty freaking cool!