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x6gas

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    NGC253

    in Imaging - Deep Sky

    Posted

    1 hour ago, tooth_dr said:

    Fantastic.  My only criticism, if youd even call it that, is I like it better rotated 90 CCW.

    Oh no, I don't think I can agree with you there Adam!  I prefer the original orientation but my only criticism would be that the framing isn't optimal... and there's not much @Spongey can do about that... and I'd feel unfair criticising Martin Puge since he's been kind enough to open up his data (but I would expect such a high end rig in such a wonderful location to have a camera rotator...)

    A quick M27, The Dumbbell Nebula.

    in Imaging - Deep Sky

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, Taman said:

    You're not the only one who has mentioned dark backgrounds in my images. I generally set the black point levels to 20 in Photoshop, perhaps they should be higher? 

    Tony.

    Hmmm.  Well many of the really top-notch deep sky imagers would recommend 23/23/23 - I recall first seeing Olly Penrice recommend that and in my view what he doesn't know about imaging isn't worth knowing - and Steve Richards recommends the same.  But I'm surprised that 20 looks so dark to my eye (that said I have just started calibrating my monitors and it does make things darker generally...)  I personally tend to leave mine a bit lighter still - somewhere between 25 and 27 often - but if you're happy then leave it where it is.  Your image, your rules after all!

    • Like 1

    Melotte 15 bicolour (28 hours) - redux

    in Imaging - Deep Sky

    Posted

    1 hour ago, ultranova said:

    Blimey that's a draw dropper,

    Congratulations on gathering and processing the data so well.

    wall hanger for sure.

    well done 

    Paul

    Thanks Paul - much appreciated.

    To be honest gathering the data was the easy bit!  I neglected to mention in this thread but I captured the data back in January / February.  I was essentially doing an extended test of how well my new CEM40 was able to handle my 130mm refractor... and the answer was pretty well as I didn't lose a single sub to bad guiding.  Unfortunately I then had a nasty accident at home that resulted in a severe concussion and I wasn't allowed any screen time so couldn't process the data straight away.  Whether it was the bang on the head or just a busy work-life I sort of forgot that I had the data but when I did the pre-processing it was obvious that the data was good.  That was part of the reason for trying to get the most out of it that I could as I knew I had no excuses there...

    It's a lovely target that even show up well at shortish focal lengths and I do encourage people to have a go if you've not tried it before.

    Thanks again, Ian

    NGC253

    in Imaging - Deep Sky

    Posted

    On 08/07/2020 at 19:03, tomato said:

    Wow, now that’s quality data.

    Yeah what he said!  I met the Planewave guys at an American Astronomical Society meeting once.  Their scopes had my jaw on the floor (as well as performing well they are utterly beautiful things).

    That said, you've done a lovely job processing the data.

     

    A quick M27, The Dumbbell Nebula.

    in Imaging - Deep Sky

    Posted

    Well I know you get slightly longer nights down there in Jersey but with a full moon and a lack of astronomical darkness you've done exceptionally well.

    For me the background is a tad too dark - maybe that's the compromise for shooting in those conditions - but it is still an outstanding result all things considered.

    Well done!

    • Like 1

    Melotte 15 bicolour (28 hours) - redux

    in Imaging - Deep Sky

    Posted

    11 hours ago, ollypenrice said:

    That's a truly cracking rendition. The contrast between acute sharpness in the gas/dust structures and smoothness in the background brings the structures forward and makes them look three dimensional. It also draws the eye towards the features of interest. And all of this is achieved without the image looking processed at all. (The holy grail of processing.)

     

    2 hours ago, Martin-Devon said:

    Ian, that's a brilliant version of Melotte 15, top drawer, the details in the nebulosity and the subtle but effective palette have come through superbly, I also like the handling of the stars, no halos, no sharp edges, just lovely and natural - overall an excellent image, take a bow!

    Thank you very much Olly and Martin.  The improvement is largely due to the sage advice you've kindly given me - directly on this image, but immeasurably in lots of ways over the years.  I was really struggling to improve this image and as you know felt I'd hit a brick wall.  You've both helped me to understand what it was I felt I was missing and how to begin to address it and I really am grateful. :icon_salut:

    Thanks again, Ian

    • Like 1

    Melotte 15 bicolour (28 hours) - redux

    in Imaging - Deep Sky

    Posted

    It had been a long time since I'd processed narrowband data so I was very encouraged by the response to the image of Melotte 15 that I posted a couple of weeks ago - thank you for all the comments and likes which were much appreciated.

    I was really happy with that image when I posted it but as I've lived with it I began to dislike that the central column of gas (that some call the dancing man - but I can also see what looks like a peacock in there!) was so yellow and it also began to look a bit blocky and unrefined.

    Thanks to some great advice from @ollypenrice and @Martin-Devon I've done a couple of reprocesses and each time, I think, improved the result.  Now I still think @swag72's version sets the bar, and my rendition comes nowhere near matching hers but I've been over this data so many times that I am calling this finished.

    I have, though, learnt so much processing this data (which is the same as before: 10 hours of Ha in 600s subs and a further 18 hours of OIII in 1200s subs) and it makes me want to go back and reprocess a lot of the other narrowband targets that I've never really been happy with!

    Anyway, here is the reprocessed version:

    486558383_Mel15bicolourv8.thumb.png.49e2bfe84a2c716f08b45e4277ea48a3.png

    Same kit, obviously, but for completeness: TS Optics 130 Apo; iOptron CEM40; Atik OAG with QHY5L II; Atik EFW2 with 5nm Ha and 3nm OIII Astrodon filters; Atik 460 ex.  Captured using SGPro and processed using PixInsight and PS.

    Thanks for looking,

    Ian

    • Like 29

    M16 Re-Processed a year later

    in Imaging - Deep Sky

    Posted · Edited by x6gas

    Hat's off Ciarán. :icon_salut:

    I think that's an incredible result given how low this is in the sky, the conditions you mention and that you've used a one shot colour camera.  Absolutely remarkable and I'd be delighted if I managed that.

    • Like 1
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