Running Man, and M42 :)

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Hi All,

Another image 3rd reprocess learning new techniques. I haven't shown this as I still adapting to new processing techniques. I realised that I can do a lot more stretching, but to the left is a lot of mottling where I do not know if it is nebulosity or photography noise. I am working on changing the power supply to my camera to see if that is affecting a lot of my images.

This image contains
62 lights
40 Darks
40 Flats
40 Dark Flats
40 Bias

I was told there was an alternative without the need for biases, but still chucked them in so that DSS would see solid green.

The processing steps were:

• DSS - Obviously for stacking
• Startools - Stretching and basic processing, I can do this in GIMP but takes a lot longer
• StarNet Win - Starless
• GIMP - Highpass filtering on the starless and combing the stars again
• Darktable - Noise filtering and contrast and colour balancing.

I originally centred this for Running Man Nebula, but now realised it would be better served getting them both on centre.

With all the cloudy days we are having here in Adelaide, the more processing I am doing.

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Here is the starless version

[AdamJL]

G'day Malcolm

Try re-doing it without the bias frames to see if that helps the mottling. I've found they've added more trouble than they're worth.
Also, what were the exposures on the lights?

Good effort though. That's about indicative of what an un-modified DSLR can see from M42 and the surrounding area. Could also be a bit soft to my eyes? How are you focusing?

[Alchemy (Clive)]

might be worth trying different stacking methods, the thing with calibration frames, ideally they need to be consistent, in this case temperature, which can be extremely difficult without a regulated camera. Nothing to lose by trying different things, other than a bit of time

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

I am trying something on a different image. I think I will try many things and see the difference. Back to the experimenting drawboard Thanks all.