Ngc 55

[OzinOz (Steven)]

constructive criticism welcome

[xelasnave]

Good morning Steven
Perhaps a little detail on equipment subs use of dark or flat frames and processing software.
I will let others help with suggestions as to how you may improve.
And thanks for sharing your great image which looks fine to me.
Alex

[Startrek (Martin)]

In addition to equipment , capture and processing details where was it taken ?
Under light polluted or dark skies ?
A good effort anyway for a dim object !

[LewisM]

Extremelly black-clipped - you need to bring levels back so there is a bell curve.

I did a half-hearted attempt on 55 last year as a new equipment test - the files show a progression of data addition - start at A and go to F. Look at the histograms too. https://www.astrobin.com/367699/0/

[ChrisV (Chris)]

Nice shot a (what I think) is a difficult target.

What Lewis says. And take it easy on the stretching. The centre of the galaxy looks overdone.

Cheers Chris

[OzinOz (Steven)]

Hi Guys...yes...struggling with the black clipping....Skywatcher 120ED with.85 reduction. ZWO ASI294 MC pro...Master darks and Bias...no flat,
4 hours Bortle 5

[ChrisV (Chris)]

You should get flats sorted out. Start with sky flats. Makes a huge difference. I reckon more of a difference than darks with these cooled low noise cameras

[OzinOz (Steven)]

Originally Posted by ChrisV

You should get flats sorted out. Start with sky flats. Makes a huge difference. I reckon more of a difference than darks with these cooled low noise cameras

Im not completely understanding what flats do...some say its for dust bunnies but my gear is new and clean....Others say for white balance which I understand would be helpful

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

hi steven,

maybe check a simple curves and levels tutorial first. for example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnPII6YdVBc

applying flats i think make the biggest improvement to images (and ease in processing). it removes unnatural light gradients you WILL get (as well as dust motes). can sometimes avoid it in narrowband images.

You can create an artificial flat (if you forget to take flats) with things like galaxies or small objects. i did a bit of a method https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW67PwUP8Ww if you want to check it out - it was just to show the process, no commentary.