California nebula

[shaunster]

My first image in what seems like a very long time and also my first all nighter of new season, started at 8:30 last night, just rolled the roof back at 6 this morning

Went for M27 first, then the soul nebula but my main target of the night was the California nebula.

I think it looks OK, no doubt I will have another go sometime. I could not take flats this morning as I had dewed up but hopefully will get some today.

This is 23x10mins in Ha. Atik 383l+, Zenithstar 70 @ F/4.9 on HEQ5 using 1.25"filters.

Be interesting to see what you think of it? The second version has been sharpened a little (too much!).

[johnrt]

Very nice indeed. I love images of this nebula that make it look like a big soft strip of cotton wool floating along in space, and I get this off both the images.

The more sharpened version has just a little more noise around the edge of the nebula, but I like both!

[SJJ]

wow, so much detail. my preference would be the second image

[Deneb]

Is it that time of the year again already ?

The second shot gets my vote, the noise around the nebula is minimal... Another Atik 383L+ image without 2" filters - are you going to add any NB ?

Nadeem.

[stephane zoll]

The 2nd version looks OK to me, still !

Nice job.

[MjrTom]

Both look exceptional in my view

[shaunster]

The second shot gets my vote, the noise around the nebula is minimal... Another Atik 383L+ image without 2" filters - are you going to add any NB ?

Thanks all for the comments, I also like the second shot.

This was without flats also Nadeem... but given an aggressive DBE going over.

Adding O3 and S2 when I get good nights for them

[Deneb]

This was without flats also Nadeem... but given an aggressive DBE going over.

Even more impressive...

[RikM]

Smashing image Shaunster. I prefer the sharper one. This really shows the benefit of spending plenty of time on one target instead of hopping about grabbing half an hour each. I like the local areas of high contrast you have pulled out within the nebula to emphasise the detail. Well done. Get the other wavelengths done and give it some colour

[shaunster]

Smashing image Shaunster. I prefer the sharper one. This really shows the benefit of spending plenty of time on one target instead of hopping about grabbing half an hour each. I like the local areas of high contrast you have pulled out within the nebula to emphasise the detail. Well done. Get the other wavelengths done and give it some colour

Pixinsight helped me, I used the enhance dark structure script which worked well for this image.

O3 data coming on next clear night.

[Coco]

Some images of the Californian nebula can look rather bland... This NOT one of them, I prefer the first ...

[ollypenrice]

I agree with Guy. This one's a beauty with the contrasts giving that fluffy look. I do prefer the second one and you could easily layer them and gently erase the very slightly noiser areas. But both are great.

Olly

[shaunster]

Hopefully the weather looks good for later on this week I should be able to get at least 5 hours of each O3 and S2..

I do love the detail that mono Ha shows though.

[foundaplanet]

I very much like images in Ha and this is another one..Great stuff, cheers..

[Keiran]

Very nice again mate

[Uranium235]

Another vote for the 2nd version, sharpened without any noticeable noise introduced

[shaunster]

Thanks everyone

I tried last night for some O3 but it just seems non existent on this target so I am going to leave it as a mono image for now.

[Earl]

They both look great I personally prefer the 2nd.

This is on my list for some mono HA.