47 Tucanae Globular Cluster

[Dave882 (David)]

47 Tuc or NGC 104, captured during that stellar run of clear nights on the last new moon. I had already got enough data on my main target (NGC300) and had a night with no other plans - cue the spur of the moment decision to aim at this beauty!

I absolutely love 47 Tuc - visually one of the most spectacular targets I've ever observed with my c14, but never imaged till now. My goal was to protect the integrity of the stars all the way into the bright core and present a somewhat natural view.

I captured about 4hrs of data in 30sec subs, but the conditions really deteriorated later on and as I reviewed the data ended up throwing all but 1.5hrs of the best subs. With such limited integration, the noise was severe, and while visible, those satellite globs didn't quite have the clarity I was hoping for. Having said that, I was pleased enough with the stack to proceed, and actually quite happy with how it's turned out.

So here is the result of 1.5hrs total integration using the Antila triband RGB filter.

HIGHER RES CROP
HIGHER RES FULL FIELD


C14 non edge @f1.9 with the Starizona Hyperstar v3 (f1.9, 680ish mm fl)
EQ8 pro
Asi2600mc pro gain 0
Asi220mm / guidescope
ZWO EAF
ASIAIR pro / APP / PI

Comments and suggestions welcome. Thanks for coming for a look!

[Addos (Adam)]

top shelf Dave. As far as I could zoom in I could see fully resolved stars!

[TrevorW]

Nice one David I am up to 5h30 odd in 30,60,90,120 second subs

[Startrek (Martin)]

Dave,
Spectacular image of my favourite Glob
Core is well controlled and resolved towards the very centre.
I reckon you could have got away with 20 sec subs at Gain 0 with that focal ratio. May have helped with a tad bit of saturation and star colour.
Unfortunately I have a limited window for imaging 47 Tuc as my second story roof and TV antenna obstruct its traverse ( I bearly get an hour )
Well done !!
Martin

[Tinderboxsky (Steve)]

A fabulous image, Dave. Wonderfull resolution and star colours.

The appearance of companions to TUC47 came as a complete surprise to me! I have observed NGC121 many times and have captured it in my EAA live stack images. But my FOV is smaller than required to capture the companions on the other side of TUC47! They have been invisible to me.

So, a new target to add to my observing lists, thank you.

These may not be GC’s despite their appearance. The brighter companion on the lower right of TUC47 is listed as the galaxy PGC 260239 by Stellarium. I cannot find any reference to the fainter companion to the right of TUC47 in any of Stellarium, CDC nor SkySafari. Do you know it’s designation?

There are plenty other very faint, very distant galaxies in your image to track down.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Great spur of the moment decision I recon

Who doesn't like a solid 47Tuc?!! Loving the resolution in the two little'uns, excellent.

Now, please try and make some more rash decisions without too much thought, you are clearly gifted at making that work

Mike

[Ryderscope (Rodney)]

A very well resolved and presented 47 Tuc

[Dave882 (David)]

Thanks guys I really appreciate the kind words. I am quite certain it could be improved on with some more time and better quality data, but those are the cards dealt... that and I don't think sct's are really made for this kind of thing but was really glad to be able to come to a nice result.
Cheers!

[Retrograde (Pete)]

A really nice 47-Tuc Dave!
Always nice to see a well resolved cluster with lovely colour.

[Dave882 (David)]

Thanks very much Pete I’m glad you liked it!

[foc (Ross)]

Well done!, very impressed with the core considering you were using a C14 at a breathtaking f/1.9 on such a bright object which also has a large brightness gradient

[keller60 (Bill)]

An exceptional 47 Tuc. Keeping the stars looking so pristine across the entire field at F1.9 is very impressive.

[Dave882 (David)]

Thanks Ross , Bill
Yes pretty challenging imaging at that speed and need to change the mindset and settings for capture and processing. (Lots of short subs and oodles of data in capture and much use of range masks in PI to control everything.) room for improvement for sure but happy with where it landed under the circumstances! Thanks guys