NGC884

[alan4908]

I find star fields quite challenging to process, so I decided more practice.  My attempt on the open cluster NGC884 is shown below. Since the object has some quite bright stars I went for a 2min sub exposure to ensure that I was below the non-linear region on my camera.  I decided to go for a LRGB approach with a synthetic luminescence.  The image represents just below 2 hours integration time.

I'd appreciate any constructive comments.

Alan

LIGHTS:  R:20,G:20;B:12 x 120s, FLATS:30, BIAS:100, DARKS:40 all at -20C.

[tooth_dr]

I like that, has a 3d feel to it!

[souls33k3r]

Looks really good. Simply mesmerizing

Which software did you process this in? 

I'm not sure what the norm is here but if you can share your workflow on this, that would be awesome mate

[alacant]

Yeah. You never see it away from it's partner; great idea and lovely shot. Also good targets for this time of month with the moon as you can do them with 90s-2 minute frames:)

[alan4908]

3 hours ago, tooth_dr said:

I like that, has a 3d feel to it!

Thanks - yes, I see what you mean 

3 hours ago, souls33k3r said:

Looks really good. Simply mesmerizing

Which software did you process this in? 

I'm not sure what the norm is here but if you can share your workflow on this, that would be awesome mate

Glad you liked it ! The image was processed in CCDstack, RegiStar, Photoshop CC and Pixinsight.  I follow a workflow that is mainly derived from Adam Block (after watching numerous hours of his video tutorials). Without going to all the details it is basically:

1. Calibrate the individual subs (eg FLATS, BIAS, DARKS) in CCDstack.

2. Hot pixel filter in CCDstack.

3. Registration in CCDstack or RegiStar (normally I use CCDstack).

4. Data rejection and stacking in CCDstack.

5. Deconvolution of Lum in CCDstack 

6. Cropping and DBE in Pixinsight.

7. Streach Lum via DDP in CCDstack and scale for import into PS.

8. Process Lum and RGB data in PS (initial noise reduction, sharpening, contrast enhancement, colour enhancement, cosmetic correction, star reduction, blurring etc). I also use Pixinsight for some specialist functions - mainly sharpening, contrast enhancement and noise reduction.  I tend to hop between PS and Pixinsight quite a bit during this phase because I always apply the result of a Pixinsight function via a PS layer mask. 

2 hours ago, alacant said:

Yeah. You never see it away from it's partner; great idea and lovely shot. Also good targets for this time of month with the moon as you can do them with 90s-2 minute frames:)

Yes, these targets don't tend to suffer too much from moon light pollution (although I still shot this using ACP's moon avoid angular technique).