My best M101 under the SEVERE light pollution...

[AlexxxAA]

I know its lame and embarrassing compared to everyone else here (and especially compared to Luis ) , but i still thought i should share

14 x 5min, ISO 100. Baader Neodymium. 10 darks and 10 flats.

20 x 5min, ISO 200. Astronomik CLS Clip. 10 darks and 10 flats.

All through the AT8IN, and stacked together for 2hr50min total

I applied the Gradient Xterminator, but i still couldnt get the background dark

I guess with all this LP this is pretty much as good as its gonna get. Thanks to everyone in SGL that has helped me to achieve to finally image deep space

Now i shall move on and try to image as deep as i possibly can here in LA. Hopefully further experimentation will lead to even better results

Thanks and Clear Skies!

[RogerTheDodger]

I think it's great considering the LP in LA... I think with a bit more processing you can get that background a little darker

[AlexxxAA]

Thanks Roger

I know I still have alot to learn. I just have to keep reading and practicing. Atleast I can get a somewhat "flat" image now.

[shaunster]

If you used photoshop, open your image then open up levels and slid the left hand pointer right towards the histogram, should make your background darker

This is a hard target in dark skies so I think you've done well

Edit: ive attached a screenshot to show what I mean

[Zakalwe]

Another little play.

Levels adjusted as per shaunster's advice, except I adjusted each RGB separately.

Did a pass of Neat Image to reduce the noise.

I then duplicated the layer. Used the clone stamp to cover up the galaxy, and to remove the brightest stars. Then Gaussian Blur until the stars just disappeared. Then changed the blending mode to Difference, set the opacity at about 50%. This helps to get rid of some of the background gradient.

it's still a bit noisy round the galaxy though.

It's a very good result as it is a very faint DSO to image under light pollution:icon_salut:

[AlexxxAA]

Shaun: lol i thought i had moved it all the way over. guess i didn't pay attention hahaha thanks

Zak: I definitely need to read up on my photoshop lol. i think the galaxy is noisy because i tried the high-pass filter i had read about in an Astronomy magazine article to help bring out some details in objects

[Coco]

Hi Alex, try a free trial copy of Pixinsight , then look at Harry Pages tutorials on using the DBE tool, It will help with those gradients

PixInsight — Pleiades Astrophoto

DBE Magic - http://www.harrysastroshed.com/pixinsighthomenewbie.html

Good luck ..

.

[AlexxxAA]

Thanks Guy

I will definitely give it a try on my next processing project