NGC 253 - now completed (Full Frame version added)
Managed to add some colour data to the original luminance on the weekend. I didn't bother gathering more luminance - 3.25 hours was enough - this galaxy is bright! Nor did I do any additional luminance processing - just RGB.
Colour renditions of this object vary considerably so I just tried to stay as true to the RGB as I could. I may revisit the processing but I'm rather pleased with this result.
Looks good to me Marcus! Did you use decon on the stars, I am thinking so, they look quite natural and I can never get Astroart to do that for me
Personally I think it looks even better viewed at about 67% in my browser though, I know it is your mantra and you will fire brimstone at me...but full res at all costs is not necessary (IMHO) Also, if you had more FOV why did you crop it so tight? Love to see this galaxy with just a little bit of space around it to give it context...shows of the details well like this though of course
That's a great first light image for the new scope, Marcus. Congrats!
Cheers Rick!
Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
Ok, where's the mega data
Looks good to me Marcus! Did you use decon on the stars, I am thinking so, they look quite natural and I can never get Astroart to do that for me
Personally I think it looks even better viewed at about 67% in my browser though, I know it is your mantra and you will fire brimstone at me...
67% is missing the point Mike - revel in the detail ... run through it with bare feet ... roll around in it .... MMMMMmmmmmm! Also, as I always say - if you've got it, flaunt it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
...Also, if you had more FOV why did you crop it so tight? Love to see this galaxy with just a little bit of space around it to give it context...shows of the details well like this though of course
I cropped because I liked the up close and personal aspect. I'll post the full frame later ... promise!
goodness marcus in the hi res cropped, looking at the centre it looks like everything is being "sucked" downward into an invisible hole
the central section looks lower than than the surrounding spiral
pat
Hi Marcus,
That's turned out perfectly.
You have shown extraordinary detail.
I hope to see many more of your pictures -
what's your next target? ( NGC 1365 is up high now. )
Wow! that's just stunning. What an incredible first light image.
Congrats on fine tuning your system to such a high level. Perfect processing. I think the colours are perfect as well. Often shown as no blue in the outer areas and that does not seem right seeing as virtually every other galaxy does.
I'll be honest and say I never thought you would get that OS scope sorted. Not because I thought you were not able to, but because I thought it might have a fault; and I am not the only person to think that too. Working through issues myself with my meagre RC I can appreciate the level of frustration that comes with bug hunting and getting things just right. Not to mention the time it takes to get collimation near perfect. Nearly there myself but am truthfully glad to see you have it working cleanly.
Having said that, this is a fine example of persistence pays off.
Great colour, detail and in your face. Scale is great. Though I would prefer to see a wide crop of the area.
Only one thing I reckon it needs is more colour data. You have some colour noise in the background that is in my opinion spoiling a totally fabulous image. Another half a night should see you right I think.
Ok That's a nice image.
I been trying to locate it for weeks and Last week I took a wide field shot and I think I got it in frame at 100mm. But it was so small.
How big is NGC253 in an ED80?
Is it pointless trying to image it if it's only a centimetre across?
Ok That's a nice image.
I been trying to locate it for weeks and Last week I took a wide field shot and I think I got it in frame at 100mm. But it was so small.
How big is NGC253 in an ED80?
Is it pointless trying to image it if it's only a centimetre across?
Outstanding image Marcus, one of the best Silver Coins I've seen.
Geert
Thanks very much Geert!
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJT
OMG...Iddy biddy little galaxies splattered all over the place.
Great first (LRGB) light. Enjoy the toy!
Yes indeed - the full frame is even better for faint fuzzies (coming soon). Thanks David!
Quote:
Originally Posted by blink138
goodness marcus in the hi res cropped, looking at the centre it looks like everything is being "sucked" downward into an invisible hole
the central section looks lower than than the surrounding spiral
pat
Yes, it does look something like that - that's why I like the immersive full res look! Thanks Pat!
Quote:
Originally Posted by alpal
Hi Marcus,
That's turned out perfectly.
You have shown extraordinary detail.
I hope to see many more of your pictures -
what's your next target? ( NGC 1365 is up high now. )
cheers
Allan
Thanks a lot Allan! I hope to be able to take many more pictures! Sydney weather sucks though so don't expect them to come thick & fast!
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley
Wow! that's just stunning. What an incredible first light image.
Congrats on fine tuning your system to such a high level. Perfect processing. I think the colours are perfect as well. Often shown as no blue in the outer areas and that does not seem right seeing as virtually every other galaxy does.
Greg.
Very kind of you Greg, thanks! Yes, the RGB screamed blue at me - no clue how others process it to show so little.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rod771
That's top shelf stuff. Love the detail. Well done.
Cheers Rod, glad you like it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rustigsmed
wow amazing detail, congratulations Marcus!
cheers
rusty
Thanks Rusty!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Haese
I'll be honest and say I never thought you would get that OS scope sorted. Not because I thought you were not able to, but because I thought it might have a fault; and I am not the only person to think that too. Working through issues myself with my meagre RC I can appreciate the level of frustration that comes with bug hunting and getting things just right. Not to mention the time it takes to get collimation near perfect. Nearly there myself but am truthfully glad to see you have it working cleanly.
Having said that, this is a fine example of persistence pays off.
Great colour, detail and in your face. Scale is great. Though I would prefer to see a wide crop of the area.
Only one thing I reckon it needs is more colour data. You have some colour noise in the background that is in my opinion spoiling a totally fabulous image. Another half a night should see you right I think.
Well done
Thanks Paul. Full frame coming soon. I was never worried about the quality of the optics after initial tests near the beginning of the year and I published most of those tests. This image should silence any skeptics!! As I said all along - there was a problem with the idiot using it .... and the lousy weather .... and the annoying full time job! You're right though - persistence pays off and you seem to have plenty of that!
Well, no image is perfect but I will rarely do more than 90 to 120 mins in R, G or B. If I wasn't so time poor and the weather was better I may gather more data - it always makes processing easier. I'll never be a megadata man though!
Wonderful image scale there Marcus, the detail is incredible. Looking at the full res it even seems you could sharpen it a bit further
Nice colours too, I havent imaged NGC253 myself so don't know how blue the raw data would suggest, but it looks great!
)
and you will fire brimstone at me...but full res at all costs is not necessary (IMHO) 
Also, as I always say - if you've got it, flaunt it! 
