Southern Sky Image: View the Southern Cross, Coal Sack & Omega Centauri

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on capturing the Southern Cross, Coal Sack Nebula, and Omega Centauri from the northern hemisphere, specifically using a Canon 5D Mark III with a 70-200mm lens at f/2.8, ISO 2000, and a 30-second exposure. The participants share their experiences and challenges in photographing these celestial objects, particularly the aberration caused by low horizon positioning. The conversation highlights the beauty of Omega Centauri as a prominent globular cluster and the necessity of dark skies for optimal viewing.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of astrophotography techniques
  • Familiarity with Canon 5D Mark III camera settings
  • Knowledge of celestial navigation to locate Southern Cross and Omega Centauri
  • Experience with image processing software for enhancing astrophotographs
NEXT STEPS
  • Research advanced astrophotography techniques for capturing low-horizon celestial objects
  • Explore image processing methods to reduce aberration in astrophotography
  • Learn about the characteristics and visibility of Omega Centauri and other globular clusters
  • Investigate optimal locations for astrophotography in urban areas with light pollution
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, astrophotographers, and anyone interested in capturing and processing images of celestial objects like the Southern Cross and Omega Centauri.

davenn
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An image specially for those in the northern hemisphere that won't see these things ...
upper right - Southern Cross (on it's side) on the lower side of it, the Coal Sack Nebula. Lower centre, the two pointers, Alpha and Beta Centauri. and finally in the upper left, the huge globular cluster - Omega Centauri
Canon 5D3, 70-200mm @ f/l=70mm, f2.8, ISO2000, 30 sec exp

2015_04_11_3595-2sm.jpg
 

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davenn said:
and finally in the upper left, the huge globular cluster - Omega Centauri

I managed to grab an image of it from northern Louisiana, but it was seriously aberrated thanks to being situated so close to the horizon. :frown:

Beautiful image however!
 
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image of ? Omega Centauri ?thankyou :smile:

just going back few a few images from 2015 - 2016 that I hadn't had time to process
 
davenn said:
mage of ? Omega Centauri ?
Yep.
 
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Drakkith said:
Yep.

it's a beautiful globular, not sure if I have posted an image of it on PF in the past or not ?
let me find a pic
 
Drakkith said:
Yep.

davenn said:
it's a beautiful globular, not sure if I have posted an image of it on PF in the past or not ?
let me find a pic
here we go, just a crop and a little sharpening

2015_04_11_3589sm.jpg
 

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From where I used to live this was a naked eye object, you had to have good seeing and dark adapted eyes and also know where to look, now
I've move into town it's gone :( and I'm only in a 2 dark sky area!
 
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Simon Peach said:
From where I used to live this was a naked eye object, you had to have good seeing and dark adapted eyes and also know where to look, now
I've move into town it's gone :( and I'm only in a 2 dark sky area!

Hi Simon,

yeah, I can only occasionally see it from my home location from the inner west suburbs of Sydney, Oz

the above images were taken from one of my dark sites about an hour drive to the NW of home

Dave
 

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