First attempt at IC1396 (reprocessed)

[alan4908]

I decided to have another go at processing this image of IC1396 that I took a few months ago. Previously, I had to discard about 80% of the final image since I couldn't get the subs to stack accurately due to my scope point pointing at different parts of the target over different nights. I've now resolved this by using CCDstack   . 

LIGHTS: 53 x 600s at -20C, Darks: 40, BIAS: 100, FLATS: 40. 

Alan

[Astrosurf]

Very nice! I've not heard of the Trius cam. 

I've not heard of CCD Stack either. Thanks for the heads-up!

Alexxx

[laudropb]

Very nice image. Thanks for posting.

[alan4908]

Thanks for your replies. 

Alex: in case your interested, the Trius camera is from Starlight xpress and CCD stack is one of the products from CCDware. 

Alan 

[ollypenrice]

If you have Photoshop try going into Image-Adjustments-Selective Colour which will open by default in the reds. Move the top slider to the left to lower the cyans in red. You might have an exciting surprise!

Olly

[alan4908]

Hi Olly

Thanks for the tip. I followed you suggestion and reduced the cyans by 45% with the result below. 

I have to admit that I do find it very difficult trying to get the most effective colour out of these images. 

Alan

[Astrosurf]

Better Alan! My only comment is to not over-sharpen. It's easy to do when you want detail to come out.

[alan4908]

Hi Alex

Thanks for the comment. I'll (again) attempt to reign in my enthusiasm for using the sharpening buttons ! Along with my target colour struggles.... I do find it difficult to know when I've over-sharpened something. 

Alan

[ollypenrice]

I'd sharpen only very selectively and never the stars, which I always exclude.

Olly

[alan4908]

Olly

Thanks for the guidance (which I will follow). On this particular image, is there anything in particular which is over sharpened, or is it just everything ? 

Alan

[ollypenrice]

Olly

Thanks for the guidance (which I will follow). On this particular image, is there anything in particular which is over sharpened, or is it just everything ? 

Alan

Very hard to say without going through the data from scratch. Looking at it in its later stages, though, I don't see lots of opportunity for sharpening on this capture. You need to go deeper berfore you sharpen, I think. Ironically it is nebulosity which sharpens well.

Olly

[des anderson]

WOW....just amazing,thanks for sharing. Des