Disappointing fireworks! (NGC6946)

[StargeezerTim]

Took 18 x 10 min subs (iso 800) of NGC 6946 (Fireworks Galaxy) and its neighbouring cluster. Plus flats bias and darks.

I must say I'm a bit dissapointed with the result, considering there was 3 hours of lights. Very little detail in the galaxy, despite my best go at curves etc. There just doesn't seem to be enough detail captured in the galaxy to get a detailed image.

Perhaps this is just a very faint fuzzy that my scope is just not adequate for? or is there anything else that could improve this image?

Comments, suggestions and critiques welcome as usual.

[xtreemchaos]

its still a great image mate.with the nights not really getting dark you have done well.thanks for sharing ..charl..

[glowingturnip]

i suspect that's quite a tricky one - low surface brightness and you're shooting through the murk of the milky way.  Nice shot though !

[Davey-T]

It's a comparatively dim object a bit like M33 I've imaged it in with CCD, LRGB and 10"SCT which is what I found it needed to prize some detail out.

Also help if your somewhere really dark.

Dave

[Astrosurf]

Yes, this is a very faint galaxy. Have a go at ISO 1600. Plus just a little star trailing. How was your guide graph? What processing sw do you use?

Still a good image despite your difficulties! And nicely framed with the cluster.

Alexx

[Tinker1947]

If the moon happened to be up, then it will get washed out.....

[StargeezerTim]

This edit is a bit better after wavelets, at least a bit more detail in the arms but less cloudy.  At the moment, I do levels curves etc in GIMP 2.9 on the 32 bit file, then convert to png and do gradient exterminator and some colour and denoise and sharpening in elements, then this one had wavelets applied. I am seriously looking at getting the photoshop/Lightroom package for £8.50 per month, though the thought of 'renting' software grates!

[PeterCPC]

Have you tried Astra Image? Might be worth a go as it's free. http://www.phasespace.com.au/download.html

Peter

[StargeezerTim]

Have you tried Astra Image? Might be worth a go as it's free. http://www.phasespace.com.au/download.html

Peter

Thanks...anything free is always worth a go!

[Cozzy]

Hope you don't mind  , had a quick play with it at work on microsoft 2003 'picture manager' there is lots of data there.

Tim

[laudropb]

Considering this galaxy has a surface brightness of only 14.0 I think you have done really well

[Knight of Clear Skies]

As laudropb says it's a challenging target, especially at this time of year when the skies don't get fully dark. I believe it's partially obscured by dust in the Milky Way.

[StargeezerTim]

Just got Photoshop cc on trial and had a go at it again. A bit better...  Progress not perfection...

[toxic]

i think you have done very well indeed, considering it is not getting dark and there is a moon up. try it September and you will see a big difference.

[Atreta]

Tim, great capture.

hope you don't mind i tried to have quick a go too.

you have a lot more detail in it, you can copy your image and paste it in a layer mask, alt click on the mask and go to image adjustments and apply an inversion effect, then go to the image again and stretch it.

i'm off to college right now but can explain better later if you'd like.

here is my try:

Frank

[Astrosurf]

Just got Photoshop cc on trial and had a go at it again. A bit better...  Progress not perfection...

Great job! You've got star colour there too.

[StargeezerTim]

Great job! You've got star colour there too.

My final attempt at processing this blooming image.... I have learnt a lot playing around with different software and trying both DBE and Gradient Xterminator... but it is time to call it a day and get some more images. Thinking of going for the ring nebula next..