The Flying Bat

The Flying Bat
phi Ophiuchi Region with AUS-2-CMOS
Zoomed in on LDN43
Lead photo
4

The Flying Bat

LDN43 appearing near phi Ophiuchi
SPECIFICATIONS
Telescope ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Telescope
CHI-1-CMOS Planewave CDK24
Camera ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Camera
QHY 600M Pro
Location ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Location
El Sauce Observatory, Rio Hurtado, Chile
Date of observation ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Date of observation
22 Feb-29 Mar 2025
Filters ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Filters
LRGB 300sec exposures
Processing ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Processing
APP, PixInsight, Noise, Blur, StarXTerminator, GHS, and Affinity Photo
Credits ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Credits
Steve Teel/Telescope Live
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Comments

Very well done, Steve! A unique approach! The contrast is really good, great colors, and nice detail in the nebula itself

The lightness of the background is fine, different and pleasing. But the totally dark, black areas harm the overall impression too much - I suggest you to review those areas as they are not totally black at all if you look at the subs.
In addition - if you call this nebula by its nickname, then I would make an exception regarding the orientation N-S. If you want to stick to N-S, then I would call it by its astronomical denomination and not by its nickname

I think the lightness and colour of the background makes the Bat depicted here a bit easier to make out and much more unique. Very nice.
However and purely tongue in cheek, whilst appreciating that there is no right way up in space, names attributed to some DSOs are as a result of the orientation used. Perhaps this was captured when the bat was in the middle of a barrel roll.

Chuckle! Let me explain that my choice of orientation is (almost) always and purposely north-up. Crops are rotated within 1deg of north. I have decided that my interest in astrophotography is primarily astronomical. I have been an observer for 70 years. The consistent north-up orientation reinforces the relationship between objects as one browses photos in my studio and my social media posts. The exceptions that I can recall are on social media for the Fighting Dragons of Ara and the Ghosts of Cepheus, and that was because the dragons and ghosts really make a popular impression.