A first try at Ha, NGC 6888, Taking the first steps

[lensman57]

Hi,

Further to my last post and the help and advice from the good people of the forum, last night I decided to give my seconhand Atik 16IC and a Baader 35nm Ha filter a try as the sky was very hazy so I knew I'asking for trouble if I went for colour. It is a stack of 12 subs 600s and 2 subs of 1200s, 6 darks, bias and flats were used as the 16IC does require dark frames. The scope was a StarWave 80mm F7 ED, and EQ5 pro pHD guiding. Stacking in DSS ,StarTools and CS2. Hope that you approve and please give advice as I am really taking the first steps in AP.

Many Thanks and Regards,

A.G

[Gina]

Great start

[steppenwolf]

This is a great start - the only negative I would put to this is that I suspect you have been using a sharpening tool and have perhaps overcooked it slightly resulting in dark halos around the stars. Sharpening has its place but needs to be carried out sparingly to keep a natural appearance. Apart from that, it's good and close in, well guided and showing a lot of promise. You should be pleased.

[lensman57]

Great start

Many Thanks Gina, if the Manchester weather permits tonight I might try for the IC1396 and see what happenes, it is a little cloudy at the moment.

Regards,

A.G

[lensman57]

This is a great start - the only negative I would put to this is that I suspect you have been using a sharpening tool and have perhaps overcooked it slightly resulting in dark halos around the stars. Sharpening has its place but needs to be carried out sparingly to keep a natural appearance. Apart from that, it's good and close in, well guided and showing a lot of promise. You should be pleased.

Thank you Steve for your kiind words. I have started using StarTools and have not as yet learnt how to set a decent mask. I may try and leave all the sharpening for PS untill Ii know what I am doing with ST. Great book BTW.

Regards,

A.G

[lensman57]

Hi,

Following the advice from Olly and Steve, I reprocessed this image, I think that it an improvement over the original process. I have tried very hard to maintain the nebulasity and avoid the halos around the stars but preserve the detail. Hope that you agree.

Regards,

A.G