M78

[Atmos (Colin)]

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

[multiweb (Marc)]

Very cool. I reckon the colors are spot on.

[Allan]

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

[RickS (Rick)]

Looks good to me, Colin.

[Andy01 (Andy)]

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

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

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 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 (Colin)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

Very cool. I reckon the colors are spot on.

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

Originally Posted by Allan

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

Coolah dark skies certainly help!

Originally Posted by RickS

Looks good to me, Colin.

Thanks Rick

Originally Posted by Andy01

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

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

Originally Posted by 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 Not a biggy but looking critically, it appears the bottom right corner is slightly out of focus..?

Mike

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

Originally Posted by 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.

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 (Marc)]

Originally Posted by Atmos

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

One of the first shot 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 (Glen)]

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