Orion's Belt & Sword: great mosaic in H-alpha

Danilo Pivato · Post by **Danilo Pivato** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 9:54 pm

Hi all,

a photomosaic consisting in 17 shots that show the central
part of the constellation of Orion.

The mosaic measures approximately: 9°x8° (6464x5860 pixels)
and was completed in 21 nights.

The total time exposure of all frames is 76.5 hours

The equipment is Telephoto Nikkor 300mm f/2,8 @ f/4;
CCD: SBIG ST-10XME with H-alpha filter.

The location is my balcony observatory in Rome:

http://www.danilopivato.com/introductio ... p/2009.htm

The mosaic is here:

http://www.danilopivato.com/tabulae_coe ... mosaic.htm

Best regards,

Danilo Pivato
--
MyWebSite: http://www.danilopivato.com
MyJobs: http://www.danilopivato.com/tabulae_coeli/index.htm

David Frydman · Post by **David Frydman** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:06 pm

That is a nice photo,
Regards, David

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:21 pm

Breath-taking detail

I love it!

ATB,

Davej · Post by **Davej** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 5:45 am

Hi,

That is a splendid mosaic Danilo, some great detail there.

All the best
Dave

smerral · Post by **smerral** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 10:48 am

Fantastic....

Danilo Pivato · Post by **Danilo Pivato** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:25 pm

Thank you!

Danilo Pivato

Ender Of Days · Post by **Ender Of Days** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 10:00 pm

Shame its not in colour

That has to be the finest image of that region Ive ever seen,totaly an awesome image,

Well done that man

JJ..

David Frydman · Post by **David Frydman** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 10:14 pm

Danilo,
It is a wonderful photo.
There are two questions I have.
I see no diffraction spikes around bright stars at f/4. I presume the Nikon lens has either 9 iris blades or shaped iris blades to give a circular aperture.
Also the off centre images of the brighter stars in various locations is presumably a result of the mosaic nature of the photo.
In a single photo the off centre bright stars would congregate at the edges.

The detail and contrast and extent of the photo is wonderful.

Regards, David

mike a feist · Post by **mike a feist** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 9:49 am

A really great photo........I disagree however that "pity it was not in colour" .........the term "gilding the lily" comes to mind.....mike

Vega · Post by **Vega** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 3:13 pm

Stunning detail in there. Thanks for sharing. Loving the obsy and location too .. im not jelous.. much

pastafarianpriest · Post by **pastafarianpriest** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:56 am

Absolutly gorgeous!

davidm61 · Post by **davidm61** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:32 pm

Hello

Many thanks for sharing such a detailed and simply beautiful study of of a part of Orion. Breathtaking!!!