M33, by Nicola Montecchiari (April 2012)

This M33 from Nicola Montecchiari is available in larger version here:

http://skymonsters.net/hr_immagine.php?Image=hr_M33_2.jpg

Nicola's website is SkyMonsters.

I like the shot in particular for its resolution, its vivid colors, and for the way Nicola incorporated H-alpha data into the image.  I've seen images that capture M33's nebulosity before, but not this vividly.  The image suggests M33 is a busy place!  The data was gathered with the VISAC with reducer, at f/6.4 or 1280mm, with deconvolution applied.  The image demonstrates the kind of resolution possible at that focal length and also the capabilities of the instrument.

Nicola lives in Italy and shoots mainly at three places, all delightfully rural spots.
1) Porliod (AO), Italy - 45 48N, 7 30 E
2) Pian dell'Armà (PV), Italy - 44 42 N, 9 12 E
3) Tortorici (ME) (Summer time) - 38 01 N, 14 49 E

He has been fond of astronomy since a child, a gift his father shared.  He started attempts at imaging in the early 90s but became more involved since 2000.  More biography is available on Nicola's website.

His equipment includes the following, in his own words:

- Canon 50/1.8 for wide fields
- FSQ85ED for medium fields (with an w/o reducer)
- Vixen VISAC for narrow fields (with and w/o reducer)

- Canon EOS 450D modded with baader filter.
- QSI583wsg as CCD camera

Nicola has two mounts: a Takahashi EM200 but also a Vixen SP used when traveling abroad (say, in Namibia).

Finally, Nicola recommends:

- Shoot always color and be careful to correctly balance the colors. This doesn't mean to copy what other people have done, but pursue your own view of it without distorting the physics of what you shot.
- Be humble

 Congratulations, Nicola, on a wonderful image.