Camera Labs

Double Cluster both datasets by cybermystic, on Flickr

If you look at the Double Cluster region with either binoculars or a low power telescope - what immediately strikes you is the great arcing ring of bright stars that seem to emanate from the Double Cluster. What's really odd is that these stars do not stand out on either planetarium programs or most images of the region - so it must be some sort of human eye contrast enhancement thingy. Whatever. Noel Carboni put together two lots of mini-WASP data taken on the region and I did a little extra processing to try and mimic what the eye sees in looking at the DC region through binos. The attached image is getting close, but it's still pretty miserable compared to the eyeball view you get with binos. If you haven't seen Greg's Charm Bracelet - next clear Moonless night, get the binoculars out and have a look - it really is a stunning sight.
Greg

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Nexstar 11 GPS, 2 x Sky 90, M25C, MaximDL, Photshop CS3, Noel Carboni's Photoshop actions, 7 foot Pulsar fibreglass dome, Canon 40D, 100mm macro lens, 28-200mm zoom lens, 17-55mm f#2.8 zoom lens, 100-400mm zoom lens, 1.4x converter, 2x converter.
http://www.newforestobservatory.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12801949@N02/

Clear moonless night? Looking forward to 2014 then!

In general, I find it hard to get enthused over clusters in images, but they look better through a scope. Shall have to add this to my "to see" list...

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.