NGC 281 The Pacman

[WolfieGlos]

Another outing for my new 2600mc, this time coinciding with the Moon phase so I decided to go for the Pacman nebula.

I last imaged this a few years ago with a camera lens and stock DSLR, so to see the difference to then is quite remarkable.

5 hours of data captured across two sessions on 7th and 9th January, I processed these in a HOO and "fake" HSO palette from the OSC data collected. Both images received the same processing in PI, but the HSO received an extra dose of saturation.

Annoyingly on the second session, my guide camera decide to stop working, PHD just could not detect the camera. I suspect it's a faulty USB connection, so I actually swapped over to my 585mc to guide with. It meant completely changing the ZWO guidescope from extended right out, to retracted right in (anyone who's focused one will know what I mean!), and setting up a new dark library, etc. All in all, that cost me over an hour, but actually resulting in my best ever guiding! So maybe I'll stick with it.

Gain 100, 62 x 300s. Stacked in Siril, processed in PI with XT tools.

Comments welcome as always.

[TiffsAndAstro]

very nice

[Sarek]

Those are great. The FOV you have with the 2600 really helps set the target in context. The stars are terrific, so sharp (and halo free!) I think over processed my attempt at this target to try and bring out different colour in the centre but it didn't really work. You've inspired me to have another go

[WolfieGlos]

On 11/01/2025 at 00:13, TiffsAndAstro said:

very nice

Cheers Tiff 👍

On 11/01/2025 at 10:35, Sarek said:

Those are great. The FOV you have with the 2600 really helps set the target in context. The stars are terrific, so sharp (and halo free!) I think over processed my attempt at this target to try and bring out different colour in the centre but it didn't really work. You've inspired me to have another go

Thanks Vaughan! Yeah, the 2600mc really is a huge step up, the FOV is great...... as are the file sizes of each sub! I nearly with went the 533mm, with the filters it was a very similar price, but the FOV sold the OSC for me. Took a lot of saving up......

The stars did have some halo's, but BlurXT mostly took care of them.

Look forwards to seeing your revamped version. I'll send you my workflow if you want to have a go and compare? (I bet you sang that in the Go Compare voice in your head  ) 

[alacant]

On 11/01/2025 at 01:10, WolfieGlos said:

2600mc,

Lovely shots. The star field really makes it.
For me, the colour of the nebula of image 1 with the star field of image 2 would be perfect. Maybe the stars even more to the fore too.

I must admit envy; I'm currently stuck with tiny 533s!
Cheers and CS.
 

[Sarek]

8 hours ago, WolfieGlos said:

Cheers Tiff 👍

Thanks Vaughan! Yeah, the 2600mc really is a huge step up, the FOV is great...... as are the file sizes of each sub! I nearly with went the 533mm, with the filters it was a very similar price, but the FOV sold the OSC for me. Took a lot of saving up......

The stars did have some halo's, but BlurXT mostly took care of them.

Look forwards to seeing your revamped version. I'll send you my workflow if you want to have a go and compare? (I bet you sang that in the Go Compare voice in your head  ) 

I think you made a wise choice with the 2600mc. Really opens up possibilities for you and I'm sure you won't regret it.

Ha, yes I'd be very interested to see your workflow for comparison.

[WolfieGlos]

23 hours ago, alacant said:

Lovely shots. The star field really makes it.
For me, the colour of the nebula of image 1 with the star field of image 2 would be perfect. Maybe the stars even more to the fore too.

I must admit envy; I'm currently stuck with tiny 533s!
Cheers and CS.
 

Thanks! Odd you say that about the star field, because I used exactly the same stars image to import into both. I may have saturated the HSO image after I brought in the stars though, I can't recall, but they were not stretched any more. It might be image 2 has a slightly lighter cast to the background, which might be down to the channel extraction/combination. 

Several 533's ?! Ah, that's easy to overcome...get a second scope and dual mount the 533's so you get the 2600 FOV with a mosaic