M78

[Atmos]

While wanting to make use of the super dark skies up at Coolah I wanted to pick something that I cannot do well from Melbourne. Given that I didn’t want to do ANOTHER M42, I decided to move to M78.

Only fairly limited data taken over two nights. I’ve probably gone a little over the top in noise reduction so I’ll have to revisit that in time.

A question for those more experienced, is the blue in the background and processing artefact or a part of the reflection nebula?

High Res Version (https://www.astrobin.com/full/337997/0/)

[multiweb]

Very cool. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: I reckon the colors are spot on.

[Allan]

Another awesome image. I’m going to take part credit. :D

[RickS]

Looks good to me, Colin.

[Andy01]

Nicely done!
Maybe it would benefit from a tad more contrast to make it really pop?
Can never have enough M78's ;)

[strongmanmike]

Looks pretty good Col especially considering the pretty low amount of data, shows the power of that OTA. The blue and the noise reduction look ok to me too :thumbsup: Not a biggy but looking critically, it appears the bottom right corner is slightly out of focus..?

Mike

[LewisM]

Top shot Colin. Nice.

Do you use Baader filters? I notice you have the same reflection issue as I had with all my Baader filters.

[Atmos]

Thanks Marc. It’s an area that would fit nicely with your FSQ ;)



Coolah dark skies certainly help! ;)



Thanks Rick :)



You’re probably right Andy, when I do my reprocess I’ll run it through Lightroom for some contrast adjustments.



Thanks Mike, it is a damn fast scope no denying that. You’re right about the bottom right corner, it is a bit out. The method I’ve been using to correct that has in the past caused issues with the bottom left corner so next clear night I plan on trying something else :)



I’ve got Astrodon GenII LRGB. The reflections are a combination of the RH200 (which creates a ring diffraction pattern) and the sensor which creates a microlens diffraction pattern.

[LewisM]

Thanks for the clarification Colin. Interesting it presents as the same pattern I got with the Baaders in the refractors.

[multiweb]

One of the first shot (https://wlt1yg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4mhzvjQYwNDwojXAWSQoRWX0_0-Xc4hG-fVs8InRek-kxmasI5yqaAAyikRYApoHn5viHfgqwJOQJE rjtOxUEvRjH0wcSWOzOGdA1MnkWnBtJwFDp qJry8wNWxY-sQ2HJMrWwdz-vHJXBB04SicSMMJqVR7hBm3l7ZFckWbkBaE E8C7EpzkRwVQJQKvOeRfZXkhH0DSHDFsr_l xjOTfC04eA/M78_FSQ_fff.jpg?psid=1) I did with it a while back actually from Mike's place but I was out of focus and lack of data. First light.

[LewisM]

Ooh la la Marc!

M78 to me is like M8 to you. Ca, c'est pornographique, non? :)

[glend]

Love it Colin. I am jealous of that Officina f3 speed.