NGC 4945 and a few little friends

Garyh · #1 07-04-2008, 01:52 PM

Hi folks, had some very nice nights late last week and very cool to boot.
Redone NGC 5128 and this image of NGC 4945. The cooler night really helped with the noise and I am quiet happy with the result!...

Seeing was a bit on the poor side but improved as the night went on!
Image is 14 x 6 min at iso 800 with 6 " newt and modded 300D.
Guided with 70mm achro, Toucam and PHD, stacked in DSS and finished in PS like always.
All comments most welcome...
Clouds have returned and looking like they are going to stay a while..

cheers Gary

h0ughy (David) · #2 07-04-2008, 02:04 PM

nice Shot Gary. worth the chill

Lester · #3 07-04-2008, 02:17 PM

Thats an exceptional image.

Well done.

theodog (Jeff) · #4 07-04-2008, 02:21 PM

Nice one Gary

tornado33 · #5 07-04-2008, 03:03 PM

Great shot there, well composed and focused. Are you using a coma corrector as I see no coma there.
Scott

Alchemy (Clive) · #6 07-04-2008, 09:43 PM

another remarkable image

Antu · #7 07-04-2008, 10:16 PM

Wow .. Very, very nice image !! The colors are simply superb and clear. Congrats !

zipdrive (Dave) · #8 08-04-2008, 02:59 AM

Great colours, excellent work!!

Dietmar · #9 08-04-2008, 03:41 AM

that is a n impressive shot!
details are nice and colors look real good!

iceman (Mike) · #10 08-04-2008, 04:58 AM

Wow Gary, that's a beauty. How cropped from the full frame is it?

I can't wait to see your 5128.

Garyh · #11 08-04-2008, 08:24 AM

Thanks Houghy, Lester, Jeff, Scott, Clive, Antu, Dave, Dietz and Mike, thanks for the kind comments..

Scott, I use the baader MPCC but I still manage to get coma in the corners. I think I need to realign the secondary again after modifying the spider.

Mike, the posted image would be around 50% crop from the original frame. Mainly just for a nice composition...

cheers and CS
Gary

Ric · #12 08-04-2008, 11:37 AM

A very nice looking image Gary, the colours and detail look spot on as well.

Cheers

RB (Andrew) · #13 08-04-2008, 01:04 PM

Oh wow what a fantastic image Gary !!!

Just love the colours and beautiful detail, not to mention the low noise !

Well done Sir.

Tamtarn · #14 08-04-2008, 01:10 PM

Beautiful Gary. Looks very natural and not overdone

AlexN · #15 09-04-2008, 02:54 AM

awesome coloring and composure.

Escortitis · #16 10-04-2008, 09:31 PM

Hi Gary,

Great image! I imaged the same area just recently and I'm learning how to process the data to get a final result. I was wondering if it wouldn't be to much trouble to post one of the light frames as is, just so I can examine how much difference is in the captured image v the processed result. I understand we use different equipment, but I feel I can learn something from it. If you could that would be great, thanks.

Regards,

George

Garyh · #17 11-04-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric

A very nice looking image Gary, the colours and detail look spot on as well.

Cheers

Thanks Ric always glad you looked!
cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by RB

Oh wow what a fantastic image Gary !!!

Just love the colours and beautiful detail, not to mention the low noise !

Well done Sir.

Ta Andrew, that cold night really helped with the noise.
Thanks for the comment...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamtarn

Beautiful Gary. Looks very natural and not overdone

Thanks Barb and Dave....

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexN

awesome coloring and composure.

cheers Alex glad you had a look!..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Escortitis

Hi Gary,

Great image! I imaged the same area just recently and I'm learning how to process the data to get a final result. I was wondering if it wouldn't be to much trouble to post one of the light frames as is, just so I can examine how much difference is in the captured image v the processed result. I understand we use different equipment, but I feel I can learn something from it. If you could that would be great, thanks.

Regards,

George

Here is a crop from one of my raws, straight from the camera, just cropped the outer edges of to give you the same perspective.
Hope it gives you some ideas..
cheers Gary

AlexN · #18 11-04-2008, 08:51 PM

Even the RAW is nice... wish the naked eye could pick up the colours like that.

winensky · #19 15-04-2008, 07:57 PM

Firstly, a captivating image with great detail and colour. Remarkable control of exposure as well given the bright companion. Did you need to use an unsharpen mask?

Kind regards
Matt

Garyh · #20 15-04-2008, 08:03 PM

Thanks Alex and Matt.
No masking was done but some selective contrast enhancement was done on the actual galaxy to help bring up some more detail.
cheers Gary