Jump to content

SkySurveyBanner.jpg.21855908fce40597655603b6c9af720d.jpg

M42/43/NGC 1977- First Real Attempt at a DSO and processing


greenbbs

Recommended Posts

I really didn't want to like PixInsight....mainly because it's god awful expensive when compared to most other things....I really didn't want to.
But then this came out of it!
 
6 x 45 second subs of M42/43/NGC1977 (or the usual Orion nebula region).
 
Sony Alpha A6000 APS-C sensor
Celestron AVX mount, unguided.
Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 lens, at f4
ISO 400
 
Stacked and aligned using PixInsight, stretched and corrected in Lightroom (mainly because I haven't figured out how to do those things in PixInsight yet!)
 
Still a work in progress. I've completely blown out the Trapezium region (mainly because this was proving to myself that PixInsight works well), but I have some other exposures that I can play with to HDR them together.  I'm also going to get a guider within the next few weeks (or as soon as the cash from some sales of my landscape images gets transferred into my PayPal!)
 
I also know about the tracking errors north of the Running Man. Was windy that night, so I figure the next time I'm out will look better.
 
I learned some other tips while reading on CN, then went back into PixInsight and applied a few, so you can see the progression below on my AstroBin
 
The series of workings in order of completion:
1.  The first processed shot I ever did in PixInsight:  http://www.astrobin.com/141451/
2.  Stretched in PixInsight with some tips I learned on here:  http://www.astrobin.com/141452/
3.  First Edit of the new version in Photoshop:  http://www.astrobin.com/141453/
4.  Latest (and I think best) version (after PS):  http://www.astrobin.com/141450/
 
I haven't imaged off my OTA yet (Celestron C6 SCT) because I just got the f6.3 Focal Reducer/Corrector, and it hasn't been nice enough to image yet....plus, I'm waiting on guidance to arrive, so the first light off the OTA will come soon!
 
Would love any feedback you guys can give me!

post-39634-0-87658600-1418961027.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thats a good start and for short exposures you have some nice detail.

Seen worse blown cores than yours but it is fairly easy to correct.

Just about to buy Pixinsight myself, compared to Photoshop it's cheap and well worth it.

I have Photoshop CC and pay monthly, which was a novel idea by Adobe, otherwise I would'nt have bothered.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's a gorgeous image, even with the errors! My only suggestion, when you figure out how to do it!, is to balance up the RGB channels so it's less purple. But it's an image to be very happy with!

Alexxx

Yeah, i'm still trying to figure out what the proper RGB balance for M42 is....I like the asthetic of having a more blue NGC 1973/5/7, but I've seen so many variations on M42, it's tough to know what the real color is....I tend to do a bit more blue to purple than red because that's what pleases my eye, but I've seen so many over the top reds that I'll just have to keep playing with it.  Hopefully I can get more data this weekend!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.