M1 - Crab, 3rd Jan, 39 minutes - Atik 314L+

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Everyone,

Another one from the 3rd Jan, not much data, but its not too bad.

I had a play with layer masks in PS and it seemed to help keep the processing steps separated from each other. I am actually having some fun with processing now. Who'd have thunk it?

After this initial shakedown cruise with the new CCD, I am looking to perhaps set up a pier and obs in the backyard and then spend some serious time collecting more data on some of these nice targets.

Thanks for looking, any tips or critiques are welcome.

Image details:

Target: Messier 1 - The Crab Nebula
Acquired: 3rd Jan 2013
Camera: Atik 314L+ OSC CCD
Scope: Skywatcher BD200N Reflector
Mount: HEQ5Pro
Guide: PHD guiding using EQmod and DBK21AU618 on Orion 50mm guidescope
Total Time: 39 mins
CCD Temp: -5 degrees Celsius
Exposures: 13 x 180 sec
Darks/Bias/Flats: 20 x 180 sec darks, no flats, 10 x 180 sec bias.
Capture Program: Artemis Capture
Processing: DSS, Startools, Photoshop CS3

Uncompressed Image : Link (https://www.dropbox.com/s/quc6ir26egxh0f6/Crab%20all%20subs%20PS%20Layers.png ) (6Mb PNG file)

Cheers

Chris

[Larryp]

You're having a great time with the Atik, Chris-nice work!

[asimov]

Nice work mate! I haven't seen an M1 image for awhile, so thanks!

[Screwdriverone]

Thanks Laurie, I'm churning em out now, eh?



You're welcome John, I liked how it came out, especially because I was shooting over the house, it was dubious as to whether the heat shimmer would affect things.

Cheers

Chris

[LewisM]

Chris,

Please excuse my brashness or rudeness, but I had a go at "remixing" your photo (must try M1 tonight, if the weather co-operates). Tried mixing it to be like the traditional images we see of it - ended up with 6 layers, and a couple desat 50% layers etc.

Hope you don't mind.

[Screwdriverone]

How rude! :lol:, nah its cool.....looks a bit red though? What was wrong with my original?

Cheers

Chris

[LewisM]

Yeah, I see the red now.

To ME (and probably only me), the original looked pink.

[Screwdriverone]

Is it the rose coloured glasses? :P

No harm, no foul, I am still learning how to process and most of the time just fudge the colours to what looks right, this camera spits out very even channels though, its a pleasure to balance it up.

Cheers

Chris

[Ross G]

Nice capture Chris of a not too common object.

Looks great.

Ross.

[Screwdriverone]

Thanks Ross,

Its a new one from me too. :)

Cheers

Chris