APOD 11/1/18 - The Dragon's Heart - RCW 114

[Flugel88 (Michael)]

Thanks Michael - Some procedures resulting from my experiences imaging RGB under LP as follows....

Capture:

- Don't use LP filter (as it messes too much with star colours)
- Take lots of subs to get better s/n and overcome skyglow.
- Use lots of very good flats
- Image as near to zenith as possible
- Don't even attempt it when the moon is up!

Processing:

- Gradient Xterminator is very useful
- Don't overstretch the data

Hope that's useful

Thanks Andy I have been really struggling with my RGB of late it seems LP in my area is getting worse every year.
Will give Xterminator ago i have spent countless hours fidgeting in PS trying different methods they work eventually but lead to poor looking background.

[Andy01 (Andy)]

Honoured & thrilled to have today's APOD!

Could't have done it without all the help and motivation from all you good folks here on IIS.

One for all of us backyard astronomers

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Nice one Andy, good to see'em showing us some different fair

Just out of interest, I didn't notice this image on the APOD Flickr group or the Starship Asterisk pages, how did you submit it..?

Mike

[Andy01 (Andy)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Nice one Andy, good to see'em showing us some different fair

Just out of interest, I didn't notice this image on the APOD Flickr group or the Starship Asterisk pages, how did you submit it..?

Mike

Cheers Mike - I just followed the link at the top of this page

When one considers that they can use images from Hubble, Cassini and all kinds of zillion dollar interspace probes and top observatories; it's a little humbling that an amateur guy using modest equipment in his backyard can catch their eye, albeit briefly

[Paul Haese]

Congratulations Andy on another APOD. You have provided an image not often seen of this part of the sky and I think this is what they sometimes look for in an image. Yet to get one of those myself, though I have pretty much given up trying. Once again congrats.

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

congrats again Andy, APOD woohoo!!!

[Martin Pugh]

APOD worthy that image Andrew.

well done.

Martin

[JA]

Congratulations Andy well done !!

Best
JA

[Peter Ward]

APOD’s are always a cool recognition of one’s efforts. Well done 👍

[Andy01 (Andy)]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Congratulations Andy on another APOD. You have provided an image not often seen of this part of the sky and I think this is what they sometimes look for in an image. Yet to get one of those myself, though I have pretty much given up trying. Once again congrats.

Thank you Paul- I think you’re right, rarity/the path less trodden is probably a consideration in the Apod team’s deliberations- and Jerry did mention that sll the hard work paid off!

A lot - seriously & really - a lot of research went into this though. Many cloudy nights pouring over Ha survey maps of the milky way to maybe find something different that might be achievable with my gear and conditions, and dedication and perseverance to follow through with half a year’s data acquisition and then process a six panel mosaic, shot under LP!

Of course I’m very pleased with the outcome, and while I hoped for inclusion, I never really thought that it would get up, as like you I’ve submitted many fine images that didn’t make it across the line.

But I’ll take it!
You’re an amazing imager, well deserving of several Apods imo- perhaps this may inspire others here to find new targets as well

Originally Posted by rustigsmed

congrats again Andy, APOD woohoo!!!

Onya Rusty! Woohoo indeed lol

Originally Posted by Martin Pugh

APOD worthy that image Andrew.

well done.

Martin

Why thank you Martin- high praise indeed coming from your good self sir, cheers!

Originally Posted by JA

Congratulations Andy well done !!

Best
JA

Onya Ja, thanks mate!

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

APOD’s are always a cool recognition of one’s efforts. Well done 👍

Thanks Peter, it’s a nice feeling to get acclamation from the big boys- however briefly, and it certainly gives a nice feeling of closure to what was truly a marathon project last year.

Might try for something a little easier next time though

[gregbradley]

Congrats Andy - well deserved.

Greg.

[alistairsam]

Congrats Andy, nice work.

Alistair

[Ross G]

Congratulations on the APOD Andy....amazing work!....and more so when you see that it's from suburban Melbourne.

You inspire and give hope to people like me trapped under Sydney's light polluted skies.

Ross.

[joelshort (Joel)]

Congrats on your APOD!

[Andy01 (Andy)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Congrats Andy - well deserved.

Greg.

Thanks Greg - and thanks for all your valuable critiques on the journey!

Originally Posted by alistairsam

Congrats Andy, nice work.

Alistair

Cheers Al - one for us backyard boys

Originally Posted by Ross G

Congratulations on the APOD Andy....amazing work!....and more so when you see that it's from suburban Melbourne.

You inspire and give hope to people like me trapped under Sydney's light polluted skies.

Ross.

Thanks Ross, I originally purchased the camera to shoot Ha & NB as I have a young family and it's hard to get away.
Ha yields so much more nebulosity than my old one shot RGB camera too!

I also wanted to address the symbiotic relationship between the number of time the nights are clear and the moon is up! lol

Originally Posted by joelshort

Congrats on your APOD!

Cheers Joel!

[diegocolonnello (Diego)]

Things like this are the reason why i want to improve and learn, so much to do in astrophotography and people like you to learn from, thanks for showing what is there, you and others on this community are constantly showing me the path i want to follow.

[Andy01 (Andy)]

Originally Posted by diegocolonnello

Things like this are the reason why i want to improve and learn, so much to do in astrophotography and people like you to learn from, thanks for showing what is there, you and others on this community are constantly showing me the path i want to follow.

Cheers Diego, believe me when I tell you the folks here are incredibly helpful and I too am very grateful for all the input received over these past few years.