This is the first light for the new ROR and hopefully my return to frequent imaging. This is only the third image I've done in almost a year, with the other two being quite short integrations.
I may yet add more data to this, but I have to confess to losing motivation quickly once I get around the 10hr mark due to the diminishing returns in terms of SNR.
I did no flats for this, but instead did a synthetic flat using a novel (as far as I know) technique which I'll detail elsewhere. Won't work for every image but I cleaned up all the dust donuts and vignetting very easily without negatively impacting the SNR of the image.
Integration details:
L: 196x240" -15C bin 1x1
R: 12x240" -15C bin 1x1
G: 12x240" -15C bin 1x1
B: 11x240" -15C bin 1x1
Integration: 15.4 hours
Equipment used was that in my signature.
"Seeing" was actually poor / average for my location, which may be due to the construction materials of the new observatory and now required cool-down time for the scope.
That's exquisite! Beautiful realistic processing. Lovely composition. Both the object selection and your handling of it are motivating.
Welcome back!
Thanks very much!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cometcatcher
What a beautifully imaged pair of galaxies, nicely framed with that bright yellow star. That's the Sony 178 chip is it?
Thanks Kevin! Yes, that's the Sony IMX178. I was worried when I first got it because it has banding that changes every frame, and in my initial tests showed significantly inconsistent median values as well, so I wasn't sure how it would calibrate out. Turns out, pretty well!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bart
Very nice image, well done.
Thanks Bart :-)
Quote:
Originally Posted by RickS
Very nice, Lee! Perhaps just a little dark? Maybe you need another 10 hours of data
Thanks Rick! I could stretch it some more, but preferred the darker look on this one. That may well change given some time away from it as is often the case. Might have looked at it too much.
I'll probably put some more time into this tonight and tomorrow night and then might call it done. Bad timing now to start a new broadband target given the moon phase, but dark enough for the next two nights that it'd be a waste to use it on a NB or bright target.
I just started imaging this now too. Holy cow there's a difference in field of view with the IMX178 and APS-C from my DSLR! You know you've got a galaxy killer here. Be good for small PN's too. I want one now.
Thanks! To be honest I never really resolved my optical issues. Pretty sure it's not collimation though. I just bought a tiny sensor so I don't see the nasty anymore :p
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley
Lovely. Great work.
It looks a lot like the Sombrero.
Greg.
Thanks Greg!
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobC
Great image Lee. Good to see you are up and running again.
Cheers
Rob
Thanks Rob; me too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by atalas
Nice object choice Lee....good work
Thanks Louie!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Atmos
Looking really good Lee, good to see you getting back into the game with your new setup
Yeah I'm very glad to be back at it again. Tonight's seeing looks much better too, just pulled some L subs down to 1.6"... but of course now the fog is rolling in.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cometcatcher
I just started imaging this now too. Holy cow there's a difference in field of view with the IMX178 and APS-C from my DSLR! You know you've got a galaxy killer here. Be good for small PN's too. I want one now.
haha yeah, it's not a big galaxy. With the dSLR you'd also easily fit NGC 5101 in there.
I'm mostly interested in galaxies, so selected this sensor because of it's sensitivity and small pixels.
Quote:
Originally Posted by billdan
That's gorgeous Lee, love the rich colours and lots of detail in the galaxies.
Thanks Bill! I was pretty disappointed in the sharpness of the subs to be honest. The first night I don't think I got a sub below 2.7" -- I'm used to seeing 1.8"... can't have great seeing every night though I guess. Still, I'm reasonably happy with how it's turned out so far.
Now up to 15.4hrs, my longest integration to date. Also brightened it up a bit when I reprocessed it. Not sure I'm happy with the reprocess, might revert back to a darker, more contrasty look but I'll let it sit for a while.
Seeing finally got good on the past couple of nights. The first night I think the best I did was about 2.7", but last night I got the sharpest single L frame I've ever seen, coming in at 1.4" If only the fog had stayed away...
Last edited by codemonkey; 20-05-2018 at 11:38 AM.
Nice image Lee, great colour and detail is nice too. I found this galaxy pairing with 5101 to be a tough image to process and I will need to revisit it again sometime. I think you have done a great job on this image though.
I think I might get some more data on this field afterall, should the weather clear up when the moon's in a more agreeable phase... going to do a little experiment with regard to how much time I should spend on L vs RGB.