NGC 134 + 131 in sculptor

[rogerg]

Hi all,

I'm continuing in my attempts to concquer LRGB photography through my 12. I have been working on a couple of other targets but have paused imaging of them due to the moon. This was a one half night effort last night.

NGC 134 + NGC 131 in sculptor:
12" SCT @ 2280mm (~f/7.4)
SBIG ST8-XME

L=30x180s @ bin 1x1
RGB=10x180s (each) @ bin 2x2
Cropped down for convenience.

I'm reasonably happy with the colour but I'd still like more dynamic colour, more contrast between the golden core and bluer arms. It's surprising me how much data I need to get some sort of reasonable exposure. This could do with more that's for sure.

Processed in CCDStack + Photoshop. CCDStack is working quite well for me I think, I'm likely to buy a license at this rate.

I chose to mean the stacks rather than sum this time. :shrug:

Suggestions for improvement welcomed.

Regards,
Roger.

[jase]

Tough target Roger. Enjoyed the object pairing, something I've not seen before. Its good to see you hit LRGB imaging too. CCDStack and PS are a good combo. Looking forward to seeing more of these distant and obscure targets from you. Well done.

[strongmanmike]

I recon that looks ok Roger, you probably just need more exposure to add body and smoothness and then up the RGB saturation a bit before the LRGB combine :shrug:

This pair is on my possible targets for Spring list actually, so thanks for the preview :thumbsup:

Mike

[rogerg]

Thanks Jase & Mike.

The toughest part of the target was probably that it has no guide star for me. Hence the exposures are limited to a 100% safe 180s for unguided. Would have loved 300s exposures. Other than that, the target is nearly an idea size for my setup.

I might revisit it when the moon's not wiping out so much. Then again, I rarely go back to objects :lol:

Mike what do you mean by "up the RGB saturation a bit before the LRGB combine" ? Increase the levels of the RGB frames prior to stacking perhaps?

[strongmanmike]

Yeh me neither....unless it is M16 :rolleyes: :lol:



I usually lift the saturation of the combined RGB file above what I want to see in the final image and then layer the Luminance in as the Luminance layer in PS

Mike

[RickS]

Nice work, Roger. Looks like a great target and would be good with a bit more data. Looking at the specs for the camera the read noise is quite high so I reckon you might want to think about longer exposures.

Cheers,
Rick.

[rogerg]

ahh, I see. I have recently been combining all LRGB in CCDStack.



Yeah, would love to Rick if only there was a guide star:rolleyes: Perhaps I'll try longer unguided anyhow, I can sometimes do 5+min without guiding but depends how good my TPoint model is and how settled the dodgy old 12" meade's mechanics are feeling on the night :)

[Ross G]

Nice looking galaxy photo Roger.

I love the composition.


Ross.

[rogerg]

Thanks Ross.