Black Eye Galaxy [M64]

[AstroGS]

Tried over 4 nights the Black Eye Galaxy, with my wide field rig and although I kept my expectations low due to resolution, I am happy with the final image albeit it feels over-denoised; I pushed for this effect via PS as it offered a better blend with the background (imo). I also applied 3 rounds of saturation boost on the image, to try and get the colours of the galaxy to pop as much as they could. There is a hint of IFN on the top of the galaxy - I will try and get more data next year.

 

I processed each RGB channel separately by removing gradient > BXT (correct only) > LinearFit > Channel Combination. Then the combined RGB image went through the usual process: full BXT > Image Solve > SPCC > Statistical Stretch > iHDR > DenoiseXT > Masked galaxy >  curves 1st round of saturation).

Then for each of the 2 Lum images, I used Full BXT > Statistical Stretch > iHDR > DenoiseXT > Masked galaxy > LHE > MMT. First applied the 300 sec image via LRGB and then the 180 sec. 

 

Then moved to PS and used the Camera Roll tool and saturation tools.

 

RGB: 55 x 120sec each

Lum180: 110 x 180 sec

Lum300: 20 x 300 sec

 

Data acquired with my Redcat61 + ASI2600MM + Antlia 3nm filters on an AM5, taken from a remote observatory in Spain, Pixel Skies Astro)

 

 

 

 

Edited June 2 by AstroGS