M51 L-HaRGB work in progress*New Ha data*

[MikeD]

Hi all, yes me again with more M51.

Conditions last night where not good at all for rgb imaging, but I gave it a go anyway as you do.

High mist cut the contrast and made the Lp really bad.

So the colour I got was useless.

So just to see what It would look like I blended the background from last nights RGB with the HA/R-GB from last year ( that was not the best data either)

So in this shot most of the colour in M51 has come from old data reworked.

I am pleased with the result, But I will still go for new Ha and RGB data..... but only on a really good clean night.

(click to enlarge)

Mike.

[steppenwolf]

Oh wow, that is nice!!

[Roy Batty]

Keep 'em coming - I don't think any of us will tire of seeing images of this quality

RB

[brendant]

Excellent image Mike , it just keeps getting better, lovely colour and definition.

Brendan

[ianporter13]

Lovely Mike,

Hope you don't mind but I thought it could handle a little sharpening so I had a play

Ian

[markcol]

That's a stunner Mike!

Mark

[MikeD]

Thanks all.

Lovely Mike,

Hope you don't mind but I thought it could handle a little sharpening so I had a play

Ian

Not at all Ian play away, I did do a version with more sharpening but decided to hold back a bit to preserve the smoothness as it gives the image a more natural feel IMO.

Mike.

[Trevor]

Mike

What a fantastic image, absolutely gorgeous.

[Beyond_Vision]

Now that is just plain gorgeous with the colour added, I cant wait for the next installment.

Regards

Kevin

[MartinB]

That's going to be some shot and it has handled the extra sharpening well

[zhgutas]

"In progress" heh could be awesome "final" stage well done mate, nice image

Marius

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Can't wait for the finished article, this is fabulous so far.

Kaptain Klevtsov

[themos]

This is becoming something special.

[Sam]

Stunning image Mike! Awesome result.

[MikeD]

Thanks again for the kind comments all.

I have been playing again, this time I used 88 @ 5 Min's in the luminance stack for a smoother result and I use the RGB from the other night without adding last years RGB data, I only used the Ha data from last year.

Better colour and smoother, what do you think?

(click to enlarge)

Mike

[CELESCOPE]

I Think that is Brill Mike , certainly been worth getting all that data , and this has to be sent to the mags now Mike , really impressive work .

Rog

[Ant]

OMG!

That is stunning - it is one of my favorite objects and that really does do it justice!

Ant

[Whippy]

Your latest version certainly has more 'Ooomph', which is clearly a technical term .

Tony..

[EA2007]

Brilliant image!

[MikeD]

Managed to get some new Ha data last night.

9 @ 5 Min's binned x 2

This data has IMO transformed the image, the new Ha mixed with the Red 50/50 has helped kill the LP in the red channel.

the background stars all have much better colour and IC4278 ( To the left of ngc5195) now has good colour.

The Ha regions stand out more and the faint dust lanes now have that nice brown colour.

Sooooo

The image is now all data from this year and is

L = 7hrs 20 Min's in 5 minute subs

RGB= 50 Min's each in 5 minute subs

and Ha 45 Min's in 5 minute subs bin x 2

10 hours and 35 Min's total.

As an L-Ha/R-G-B ( Ha/R as 50/50) image.

(click to enlarge)

I am very pleased with how this has turned out.

Mike

[Roy Batty]

That's definately given more dynamic contrast to the images fine detail.

Super result :hello1:

RB

[Ferox]

Amazing image, well worth the work you've put into it.

[Sam]

I didn't think you could get that any better - but you have. It's a very awesome picture!

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Sky at Night magazine centrefold stuff that Mike. I trust you've sent it off?

Kaptain Klevtsov

[MikeD]

Yes but i sent the version before the last one posted here , but I did only send a jpg, so if they like it I can send them the latest Tiff.

I have never had much luck with Sky @ night, sent a few but never been picked.

Mike.