M20 and M21 - two optical systems

[strongmanmike]

This is a new composite image using data sets from two optical systems (system details under image):

M20 & M21 wide field (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/156103365/original) (1.8deg X 1.2deg field)

Tighter Crop (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/156103417/original)

Some different processing has been used, including LAB colour blending.

As far as colour goes, the Trifid itself is no just red and blue, rather it has areas of red/magenta, blue/white, turquoise/green and teal as well as dark dust in the nebulosity and I wanted to showcase all of these.

Mike

[gregbradley]

Very nice Mike.

Greg.

[alpal]

Great wide field Mike -
The Trifid must surely be the most beautiful nebula.

cheers
Allan

[strongmanmike]

Glad you enjoyed the view guys and Allan I recon you could be right :)

Mike

[RickS]

A very classy M20, Mike! The combination with M21 makes a lovely composition too.

Cheers,
Rick.

[E_ri_k]

Nice one Mike, one of my favourite objects :)
Erik

[strongmanmike]

Cheers for looking guys :thumbsup:

Mike

[cosmophoton]

Excellent classic!

[Rob_Bounday]

Stunning image Mike.

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Luiz and Rob, not bad for a 6 year long image :P

Mike

[Elio]

a beauty... very well done!

[strongmanmike]

MolteGrazie Elio :thumbsup:

Mike

[LightningNZ]

That's really beautiful Mike. I'd personally describe the processing as "gentle". :lol:

What was the main advantage of using the two different scope? What did the Starfire bring that the 12" did not?

Cheers,
Cam

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Cam

The Starfire data was captured at a similar FL (1300mm Vs 1120mm) but with a full frame sensor so it shows a much wider field, the AG12 data came from a much smaller chip but was sharper so it lifted the resolution of the Trifid itself :) oh and of course increased the SNR

Mike