NGC1499 California Nebula & variations

[Barry-Wilson]

This is my version of the wonderfully textured California Nebula enhanced with Ha data.  The high res link to Astrobin shows a number of variations in processing, from the Ha data only, to the RGB with synth Luminance to the Ha enhanced version with two different saturations - all fun stuff.

I hope everyone's had a good Christmas break and has not been too troubled by the snow.

Details:

Tak FSQ85EDX

Avalon Linear Fast Reverse mount

Atik 383L+

Astrodon 5nm Ha and Baader RGB all at Bin x1

Ha: 8 x 1200s

R, G, & B: 12 x 300s each channel

Captured with SGP and processed with PI

High res and variations here, http://astrob.in/143267/D/. 

Thanks for looking and Happy New Year!

Barry

Ha only:

Ha_RGB:

[Martin-Devon]

Nice image Barry, the HaRGB especially, you have a really good blend of star colour and detail in the nebulosity. 

Martin

[Barry-Wilson]

Thanks Martin.  I'm consciously trying to not overdo the HDR wavelets and render a softer (less obviously 'PI-ed') image.  I feel pleasd with the balance I've achieved.

Not so easy to finalise the hue and saturation of the nebula though, as the variations in Astrobin show.  There are a multitude of shades and tones in web images and I'm trying to avoid the salmon pink look!

Barry

[PatrickGilliland]

Second Martin's comments, nice mix of detail in the nebula and colour in the stars.

Had passed over this do with little interest but being tweaked by images like this.

Paddy

[Barry-Wilson]

Thanks Paddy.

Have a search on Astrobin there are some great NB versions; would suit your Borg very well indeed!

Barry

[PatrickGilliland]

Yeah seen a few including yours that have raised my interest.

Will add to my list of things there is not enough time to image .

Paddy