First time I have combined data from different sessions...

[StuartJPP]

Okay, I promise this will be my last NGC2244/Rosette image (for a while). I managed to get some more data on 14th Feb and combined it with the data from the 2nd of Feb. Luckily my framing wasn't too far off from the previous capture (I haven't got GOTO). This certainly proves that the more data you collect, the cleaner the final image (to a point). I am also really surprised at how much I can get out of this from my light polluted front garden (using the Astronomik CLS filter), which has got no less than 4 street and 2 security lights

Of course there is no substitute for dark skies but not all of us are lucky enough to have them.

Modified Canon 1100D with Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens @ ISO1600.

AstroTrac TT320 Mount.

20x 60 second lights from 2013-02-03

45x 60 second lights from 2013-02-14

20x Darks

20x Flats

20x Bias

Stacked in DSS and processed in PS.

Combined 45 + 20 minutes of data

Previous attempt (20 minutes of data)

[Gina]

Very good indeed

[SJJ]

You can really see the reduction in noise with the extra data. Very nice Rosette.

[Uranium235]

Now looking cleaner with the extra data. You might want to hang on to these because you might end up combining them over years. If is good data, no need to chuck it away

[Ewan]

Not so grainy now & a big improvement, looks a lot smoother & softer it's great.

[StuartJPP]

Thanks for commenting everyone. I have heard of people accumulating data over many years now I can see why.

[Tom OD]

As said above, the noise reduction is very evident. It looks better in contrast and the background looks better.

Tom

[Luis Campos]

That's is a GREAT result, the filter works like a champ!

Gotta love the pinpoint stars that lenses produces, very , very nice

Congrats!

[stem1989]

its great to see the reduction in noise in the two images, Im yet to combine 2 sessions but I cant wait to see the differences, hope its as much as yours

[ollypenrice]

You say, 'This certainly proves that the more data you collect, the cleaner the final image (to a point).' In my opinion the point is so far away that few of us ever reach it. More data is better, pretty much up to the crack o' doom! Nobody ever had too much. More data allows more intensive processing, stretching into visibility of fainter signal. It allows more contrasts to be picked out and more sharpening of fine detail. Look at the increase in faint outer nebulosity in the deeper stack. It's not just about noise reduction.

This is a great image and from a light polluted site its downright marvellous. If you come back with double the data you'll get even more out of it. It's just 'like that' in imaging.

Olly

[StuartJPP]

Thanks everyone

Olly, I was under the impression that it is a case of the law of diminishing returns, especially in my case where I am limited to 1 minute subs. I would have thought that getting 5 hours or 10 hours worth of data using 1 minute subs wouldn't add much benefit and I would need longer exposures to get any more detail...though I could be wrong...I usually am.

One thing I do know is that I am miles away from even getting close to that point. I'd probably say I have got barely 5 minutes worth of data here compared to being at a dark site without having to use the filter and deal with LP.

[Fordos Moon]

Fantastic image mate!

[laser_jock99]

The two session combined image shows much improved outer regions- I'll have to give this a go some time.

[kingboya]

Lovely image there very good detail well done!

[Stargazer Jack]

Excellent images and a great comparison as well, good job

[twintin]

Wow what an image