The Lagoon Nebula in Infrared light

[SkyViking]

Hi All,

Here is the Infrared counterpart to my optical Lagoon image (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=973166#post973166) . Please do check out the comparison with the optical, the differences are truly striking.

Link to large image (4MB) (http://www.rolfolsenastrophotography.com/Astrophotography/Nebulae/25312426_jC3jWq#!i=2491789159&k=X744Sbj&lb=1&s=O)

About the image:
This infrared image of the Lagoon nebula contrasts heavily with traditional images taken in visible light. Such images primarily display the striking magenta colour from glowing Hydrogen gas, as well as large dark obscuring clouds of dust.
The infrared part of the spectrum penetrates these clouds better and reveals complex details and thousands of young stars that are otherwise completely invisible. These stars shine primarily in the infrared and appear as golden red in this image. Only a minority of these are visible in traditional optical images.

To create this image I used a special infrared filter. Effectively the band observed is 700-1100nm since the sillicon CCD chip is not responsive to wavelengths longer than that, and this band is called NIR (Near Infrared). One issue arising from this technique is that the NIR band does not have a colour as such, since it lies outside the visible light spectrum.
To create a colour image from the NIR data I have developed a colour stacking technique which has produced promising results so far.<br>
I use the NIR filter together with G and B filters to create a colour composite. The resulting images are assigned to the different channels as NIR->Luminance, NIR->Red, G->Green and B->Blue.

Substituting the R channel with NIR nicely brings out the contrast between the nebula itself and all the young obscured stars that shine primarily in infrared. This colour image is then overlaid with the NIR frame used as luminousity.
The result is a predominantly blue nebula, but with the areas that are bright in NIR showing as distinctly golden red which highlights the features that are visible in the NIR band and at the same time produces a visually very pleasing image. I have used this technique on a couple of different nebulae and am very happy with the results.
Here are links to the other images:


HD Video tour of the Carina Nebula, comparing Infrared and Optical features (http://www.rolfolsenastrophotography.com/Astrophotography/Nebulae/25312426_jC3jWq#!i=2451733928&k=zWK4znD)
Image of the Carina Nebula in Infrared (http://www.rolfolsenastrophotography.com/Astrophotography/Nebulae/25312426_jC3jWq#!i=2451727602&k=bkfPw3K&lb=1&s=X3)
Image of the Orion Nebula in Infrared (http://www.rolfolsenastrophotography.com/Astrophotography/Nebulae/25312426_jC3jWq#!i=2243508611&k=bqS4vxH&lb=1&s=X3)
Image details:
Date: 8th and 9th April 2013
Exposure: NIR(Luminance) 65m, NIR(red) 65m, G(green) 56m, B(blue) 61m, total 3hrs 1mins @ -29C
Telescope: 10" Serrurier Truss Newtonian f/5
Camera: QSI 683wsg with Lodestar guider
Filters: Astrodon LRGB E-Series Gen 2
Taken from my observatory in Auckland, New Zealand

I hope you enjoy - comments and critique is most welcome.

Regards,
Rolf

[Larryp]

As you say, a striking difference to the optical image-great work, Rolf!

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Hi Rolf,

Another fascinating journey and superb images!

The NIR image is amazing with the young stars coming through. I looked at both large images on your site, wonderful. I found it was better to bring up both smaller images posted and blink them, it made it easier to appreciate your work.

Cheers,

Justin.

[seeker372011]

Indeed a unique and fascinating presentation of a well known object... Great work

Really cool when you click back and forth between the NIR and optical images

[multiweb]

Blue lagoon. Superb! :thumbsup: I also noticed there were a lot more stars around the circumference in the nebulosity IR but not so many in the centre of the nebula where the hour glass is. I thought I did something wrong at first but your shot confirms it.

[ThinBlueLine]

Absolutely incredible Rolf ! Love your work. :)

[strongmanmike]

Looks at all those golden stars around the main nebula :eyepop: the colours really work huh?

Another excellent piece of work mate :thumbsup:

Mike

[iceman]

Amazing, so great.

[Ross G]

Amazing looking photo Rolf.


Ross.

[Nico13]

Rolf simply a superb presentation of Eta Car, just blew the wife and I away.

[Peter Ward]

A very nice twist to a classic subject. :thumbsup:

[SkyViking]

Thank you Laurie :)


Thank you Justin, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm planning another video at some stage, perhaps when i have some more nebulae imaged this way I will do one 'grand NIR tour' :)


Thanks very much Narayan :) Yes blinking between them really shows the differences!


Thank you Marc :) Yes this one really has a lot of stars around the perimeter but less so in the centre. I find that every nebula I try this on come out with some surprises, they are all very different.


Thank you Amanda :)


Thanks very much Mike, I'm glad you like this NIR stuff. Is there an empty slot in your filter wheel? ;)


Thank you Mike :)


Thanks Ross :)


Thank you Ken, I put the video on now and then just to relax to :lol:
I hope to make another one soon.


Thanks Peter, glad you liked it. NIR really puts a new perspective on these classic targets.