Yet another helix

[Stevec35]

This project was more about diagnosing some of the annoying little problems I've been having (probably user error) than producing an image. In the end much of the data didn't look too bad so I thought it was worth posting.

Cheers

Steve

http://members.pcug.org.au/~stevec/Helix_STXL6303_RC14.htm

[Peter Ward]

Hey Steve...you want to swap your RCOS with mine??

I really like the extra FL and resolution it delivers :thumbsup:

[Stevec35]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Peter. Hmm - almost tempting but a better swap would probably be with the Honders.

[Peter Ward]

Great...so I'd end up with mis-matched 14" binoculars ? :lol:

[marc4darkskies]

That's really nice Steve! :thumbsup: Some great detail going on there. I'll go out on a limb though and suggest the data might be good enough to allow you to push it a bit more for depth and contrast.

Cheers, Marcus

[dvj]

Maybe I should move my Honders to Siding Springs and rent it out? ;-)

[sjastro]

Nice image Steve.

What problems are you having?

Steven

[RickS]

Looks good, Steve! I also think you could pull a lot more out of that data.

Cheers,
Rick.

[multiweb]

Those stars are so tiny. Quite a treat at that FL. Impressive. :thumbsup:
Love the pic colors. Very smooth and natural, yet detailed. Lots of background galaxies.

[Stevec35]

Thanks Marc



Thanks Rick. I think you are probably right. I was a bit conservative as my RGB data was rather patchy. I'm hoping to fill in the holes as it looks like some clear nights are coming and then attack the data more aggressively.



Thanks Steven. Mostly it seems to be a focus motor that periodically sticks. There is a fix for it but I don't want to go there yet. My other problems are with the CCD Commander software doing unexpected things but that's probably just me programming it incorrectly.



I think you would get quite a few takers John!



Thanks Marcus - you are probably right. I'm going to try and get some better RGB data before I reprocess. Some of the RGB in this image was a bit patchy.

[Ihsahakat]

Please forgive my impudence, especially for a new-comer, but I had a process of the online image. Really nice data, just needed a little adjusting if you don't mind. GREAT detail starting to come through.

I hope that's permissible?

[Stevec35]

Not a problem. Perhaps mine was processed a little conservatively but I intend to go back to it when I get a bit more data.

[gregbradley]

That's a nice looking Helix there Steve. The streaming from the centre type tendrils though seemed to be smoothed out. They usually show up in the O111 data. Perhaps that can be brought out more using some sort of sharpening/contrast increase in the O111 data?

Greg.

[Stevec35]

Thanks Greg - point taken . I've now done a reprocess using my existing data that I think would alleviate your concerns. I'm still going to get some more data though as I think this is an image worth spending time on.

[atalas]

Nice work Steve.

[Stevec35]

Thanks Louie

[DJT]

Nicely done Steve. Going to assume your niggles were sorted as this looks pretty good.

:thumbsup:

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Wow some detail in that Steve!:thumbsup:

Striking colours too.

Cheers,

Justin.

[Bassnut]

Sorry Steve, oddly blocky lolly pop colour, what were you thinking?. Mr Es rendition is an improvement.

[Stevec35]

All a matter of opinion Fred. It's been very well received by my American colleagues.



Thanks Justin



Thanks David. They're not all sorted but I'm getting there.

[Paul Haese]

Still plodding along and getting data on this myself. I note a similar resolution to your.

Nice round stars, which is always tough at longer focal lengths. I like the detail, but think you could sharp it just a little more. Overall a nice image in my opinion.

[Stevec35]

Thanks for the feedback Paul. I will look at sharpening it up a little more but I wanted to get a little more data first if the weather allows.

[Ross G]

A great looking photo Steve.

I like the colours and detail.

Ross.

[Stevec35]

Thanks Ross. I can probably improve on the detail a bit. Just haven't got round to it yet.