1st LRGB CCD image - Gabriela Mistral Nebula NGC3324

[AstroTanja]

I've been imaging OSC for almost 2 years and recently upgraded to a QSI683wg-8. This was the 1st LRGB I acquired. I worked off a processing workflow found on deepspacecolors.com but deviated a bit and just went with the feel of it. I've been a PixInsight user for almost a year (with a lot to learn still)

I'd appreciate some feedback on the image and advice on where improvements can be made - here's a quick look at the workflow followed:
(higher res on Astrobin: http://www.astrobin.com/full/92853/0/)
(based on a sample workflow by Rogelio Bernal Andreo www.deepskycolors.com) / or read my blog: www.astrotanja.com/gabrielamistralnebula/

WORKFLOW
Calibration of L / R / G / B with flats, darks & bias. Each channel calibrated individually
Dynamic crop
DBE of L / R / G / B
Star alignment of R / G / B to L
MMT of L to reduce noise
MT on B
Non-Linear transform of L

ChannelCombination of R / G / B to get RGB image
Same Dynamic crop to RGB as to L to preserve alignment
Background Neutralization of RBG
Colour Calibration RGB
Non-Linear Histogram transform of RGB
SCNR to RGB

LRGB Combination

Morphological Transformation to reduce stars
Curves transformation / Saturation & contrast
Histgram Transform
AtrousWaveletTransform for noise / sharpening
Curves Transformation.


4:20Hrs LRGB
60min each R / G / B (6x10min)
80min L (8x10min)

Officina Stellare HiperAPO105
QSI683ws
LRGB Astrobon True Balance E-Series GenII
Celestron Advance VX
SSAG / PHD Guiding
Acquisition: SGP
Processing: PixInsight

THANKS for watching :)

[RickS]

Nice work, Tanja. Looks like you've taken to LRGB very successfully.

Cheers,
Rick.

[alpal]

Fantastic pic - you seem to know exactly what you're doing.

Any comment?
I would try to put a bit more colour into those white stars.

[LightningNZ]

Looks superb! Great first image with the LRGB. Nice kit and very nicely processed.

I'm guessing the HiperAPO 105 is about as perfect an instrument as you can get. I've seen they are very expensive. Can you make any comment as to how they compare to Taks and the like? I presume there must have been a reason why you went for that instead of a Tak. I'm just curious.

I think I see what Alpal is saying - maybe with the blue-white stars the centre's look a little separated from the diffraction spikes (which have most of the colour). Probably nothing a little selection and blur wouldn't fix.

Thanks for sharing,
Cam

[AstroTanja]

I don't have any experience with the other renowned brands-- just the Orion's and Celestron. I chose Officina Stellare due to reputation and being able to get it better priced. I was having huge collimation issues with my Celestron SCT and thought I'd rather invest in one of the best and have it taken care of. So, technically I'm now unable to blame my equipment for poor performance :) All up to me.



I see what you guys mean. I'll reprocess in due time and apply some deconvolution (will see post/prior to LRGB combining).
Thanks for the comments

[SimmoW]

Lovely images and a great little blog too! Can't believe that image thief...

[marco]

Lovely image Tanja, you got a very good color balance with lots of details yet a very natural look :thumbsup:
Clear skies
Marco

[AstroTanja]

Thanks. Yeah it's unfortunate that people images - and be idiots doing it. The highlight of it all was that he posted a Carina pic that he stated he photographed in Iraq. Umm.... very talented considering it never rises above the horizon! haha.

[AstroTanja]

Thanks! I just added some of my Ha data to the LRGB. Looks so much better. When I am done with the edit I'll repost.

Regards