The Eagle and the Swan - M16 in Serpens Cauda and M17 in Sagittarius

[Octane (Humayun)]

Hey all,

This is a real quickie of an image -- just 8.5 hours of data. It was data that I was capturing while working on other projects. Bit of a filler. As a result, the depth suffers and it's also somewhat noisy; although, I've tried to tame it as best as I can.

Atypical of most astronomical images (and, a first for me), I have chosen to present this composition in portrait orientation to help with anthropomorphism -- the eagle at top with its wings spread mid-flap swooping down towards the unassuming and unaware swan below.

I've presented this image in the CFHT pallete; hydrogen alpha mapped to red, oxygen III mapped to green and sulphur II mapped to blue. I also utilised the hydrogen alpha data as a synthetic luminance layer to help bring out the vast swathes of nebulosity, and, also to suppress the overhwelming star field.

Larger version available here.

Comments, critique, etc., most welcome.

Thanks for looking!

H

[RickS (Rick)]

Great colours and composition, H.

[Andy01 (Andy)]

Looks great H, high impact & big bold colours

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Really good Humayun. Nice to tell a bit of a story with a picture. This is the first composition in which I can finally see why the Swan neb gets its name
Geoff

[Ryderscope (Rodney)]

An eagle flying off into the night sky with its tail feathers swaying behind. The eagle is looking back at the swan which is sailing along. A good one H.

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

That's magnificent, Humayun!

The way you've brought out the super-faint extensions of the Eagle truly make it look like an eagle with giant flapping wings.

The other material you've brought out around the Swan, and in between the two, is fascinating and great fun to explore.

[RobF (Rob)]

Nice work Humayun. First for me seeing the eagle!

[willik (Willik)]

Something different it looks great good detail.
Martin

[Atmos (Colin)]

Looks fantastic H! I do like the red and yellow colour scheme and I also had a chuckle at the “low” integration time

[gregbradley]

A wonderful image H. A great vista and punchy colours.

Greg.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

What a field and something a bit different from you too H nice, always tagged you as a bit of purist..? Always good to see these two in the same shot too.

Mike

[Octane (Humayun)]

Thank you, everyone.

Glad a couple of you could see the eagle and the swan for the first time.

Mike, always happy to try new things -- especially with narrowband. I first captured a frame of each channel 3 years ago and did a quick combine in different palettes. The CFHT/HOS colour scheme jumped out at me, so, this has been in my mind for 3 years!

H

[PKay (Peter)]

for what it's worth from a newbie, this is one of the best images.
how you get to that standard is totally overwhelming!
well done.

[xelasnave]

Everything you have done is wonderful from capture to an excellent presentation of warm comment.
Alex

[DJT (David)]

Great Composition H and I like the choice of palette. There’s plenty of other stuff to look at in that areas as well.