Awful M31!

[DaveGarland]

I took this last night through some fairly misty high level clouds and got this. Yuk! This is from roughly 25 images at of 50 seconds at 1600 ISO and 10 darks. But is the horrible orange glow due to cloud and light pollution? What would be better settings for me to use?

Tips please!

Dave.

[DaveGarland]

Obviously it would help if I added the pic!

[Gina]

This high level misty cloud is dreadful Had it a lot lately - it looks clear with plenty of stars showing but images are dreadful. Your image is showing light pollution and probably moonlight reflected and diffused through the haze. LP filter would help with the orange LP but moonlight is full spectrum and quite a problem. I think your image is pretty good for the conditions - you've got the dust belts showing nicely

[Shibby]

Dave, that looks like the makings of a very nice Andromeda there. LP like this is typical, but it can be processed out... Try using RGB background calibration when staking (if you use DSS). Then, if you don't have flats, use something like GradientXTerminator to remove the vignetting (if you use Photoshop) and you'll find it much easier to process!

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

As Gina says you have the dust belts. Application of flats would perhaps improve matters.

[Shibby]

PS: I should note that gradient removal is actually quite tricky with M31 because the galaxy is one big gradient, so flats are essential.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

PS: I should note that gradient removal is actually quite tricky with M31 because the galaxy is one big gradient, so flats are essential.

Absolutely! I had a go with some tools on this image, but they mess up things big time

[DaveGarland]

Absolutely! I had a god with some tools on this image, but they mess up things big time

Thanks for trying though. If anyone else can give it the Midas touch I'd be very pleased.

Dave.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Thanks for trying though. If anyone else can give it the Midas touch I'd be very pleased.

Dave.

I accidentally made a religious comment comment there I see

So like the moderator I am supposed to be, I edited it out

[DaveGarland]

Thanks Shibby. I took your tip and had another go. I think I've lost some detail in the dust somewhere but over all I think this looks better. Considering the misty conditions I'm now not too unhappy.

[Gina]

That's very nice - dust lanes showing really well

[Chris]

Nice one your second process shows a big improvement and I recon theres even more to be had if you take some flats, there is definately a lot of vignetting showing still.