NGC6960 - The Western Veil

20:13 9/9/2005 UTC

Although I'm pretty happy with this image, this was really a battle for me. My mount went completely nuts (and started making noises...) and like if that wasn't enough my guiding program had no idea where to keep the star. Only thing what was fun was focusing with my self made focusing assist script. 120 seconds was about the longest I could expose, while I was planning to expose 5 minute subs. After 15th frame Qastrocam lost the guide star and when I was aiming it back, I accidentally moved the camera. So much for taking flat fields. I decided it was too much trouble, packed up and moved to the eyepiece of my buddy's 12" dob. Spectacular views!

NGC/IC Object List:
NGC6960 supernova remnant RA:20h45m42.0 Dec:+30°43m'00" BMag: 7.0, LBN 191 Veil Nebula

Camera: Canon EOS 350D (Rebel XT) | Telescope: William Optics Zenithstar 66mm f6 petzval refractor | Mount: Orion Skyview Pro, Boxdoerfer PowerFlex MTS-3SLP drive controller | Filters: - | Guiding: Orion ShortTube 80mm f5 refractor, Phillips ToUCam Pro II webcam, Qastrocam, Orion Shorty Plus 2x Barlow | Exposure: 15 x 120s (30m) f6 ISO800 | Software: IRIS, GIMP | Location: 60°31'N 26°52'E (Koivula/Kotka,FI) | Target altitude in the beginning of the exposure 59°