NGC253 HaLRGB from BSG2014 - and a question about orientation

[pluto]

Here's my first image from Border Star Gaze 2014, The Sculptor Galaxy.
I also got a few hours of Ha from Sydney.

I'm getting happier with processing LRGB images in PI and I think the colours are looking ok in this one though the star cores are a little hard and it's a bit noisy.
Any advice for improving would be most welcome :)

L = 13 x 10min
R = 10 x 5min bin2x2
G = 10 x 5min bin2x2
B = 10 x 5min bin2x2
Ha = 6 x 30min

Bigger/better version here:
https://hughsblog.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/ngc253-the-sculptor-galaxy/

I also have a question about orientation. I've left this the way I shot it, which is the same way I shoot pretty much everything - I mount my camera so that when the scope is pointing at the SCP the camera is square (long edge of sensor parallel to the ground). However the orientation is different to what a lot of other people have and looking at it in Stellarium using the EQ mount option it looks like it's offset 90 degrees clockwise from mine.

What is considered the 'correct' orientation for DSOs? and how does one work this out?

[Geoff45]

Hi Hugh. It's a good shot of NGC 253, nice colour, nice detail.
The usual orientation convention is N up, E left. This would apply if you're illustrating a book or making a star atlas, but for AP you should consider what sets off the object best and present it that way. People get a bit precious about that sometimes and start making statements like "your image is mirror reversed" or "your image is upside down". My advice would be to stick to the usual convention if it makes no difference, but toss convention out of the window if the image looks better that way.
As to how to work it out: Google the object in Wikipedia, they usually (always?) present it N up, E left. Look at pictures in a book (like one of Stephen O'meara's) to get the orientation. As a last resort plate solve the image.
Geoff

[pluto]

Thanks Geoff, that makes sense. I do change orientation on some things where it suits, like the Helix for example.
I think this image would be South up and East to the right but I'll look it up just out of interest.
EDIT: just checked and mine is North to the left and East down.

[alpal]

I would prefer your pic rotated 90 degrees CCW.
This would make the closest edge of the galaxy at the bottom.

But in fact - it is whatever you would like it to be.:)

cheers
Allan

[strongmanmike]

A fine 253 Hugh, a legitimate colour palette and plenty of lovely detail, love the Hii regions too, well done!

As far as orientation goes I agree with Geoff. Sometimes cropping, rotating or flipping an image can make all the difference!!

Good example - Back in 2011 I was processing just my third colour image acquired with my brand new Orion Optics AG12 Newt, one of NGC 6188 and nearing the end of the processing I decided to show my wife and said what do you think of this one sweetheart? She said the usual "Oooh that's nice" :rolleyes:... but then she said "turn it upside down and show me" so I did...immediately she said wow that looks like two dragons fighting over a golden egg..:question: :eyepop: :cool:...the rest is history as they say, now the reference to this area as being The Fighting Dragons (of Ara) (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/apoty_2011) is widely used around the World...thanks to my semi disinterested wife - Google it :thumbsup:

So, display'em the way you think looks best I recon :D

Mike

[Paul Haese]

Dealers choice the orientation. I like the view of looking down into the core of the galaxy but each to their own.

Nice shot of 253. Good detail.

[multiweb]

That's an awesome shot Hugh. One of the best I've seen of this galaxy. Great colors and superb details. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Amaranthus]

Excellent shot - the halo and HII regions are clear and you can really pick up the dust lanes.

[RickS]

Nice image, Hugh! Use whatever orientation appeals to you...

[pluto]

I think I've been staring at it too long as no orientation is looking right to me now!


Thanks Mike, good example, that fighting dragons image is a real cracker :)


Cheers Paul, I see what you mean as in my image we're looking up at the centre.


Thanks very much Marc :D



Thanks Barry, yeah the difference between the LRGB and the HaLRGB is huge in my opinion, it's so much nicer seeing that nebulosity and balancing the strong blue.

[pluto]

Thanks Rick :)

[Geoff45]

A bit OT: Great example Mike. I copied your image, made a flip copy and put the two side-by-side. Like chalk and cheese.

Not to worry--I deleted them so won't be infringing copyright any more than I already have.:)
Geoff

[Rod771]

Geez Hugh! That's a great result. Lovely smooth background with excellent detail and colour in the galaxy. Well Done! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Cheers
Rod




That's what happens to me! :shrug: .....and I don't even bother showing her an image if Home and Away is on. :rolleyes:

[strongmanmike]

So is your NGC 253 :thumbsup:



Yes, amazing difference huh? Like MBJ, I can spot the funny shapes but this time Angie trumped me :lol:.



Funny how they are like that...

So Hugh, what did your partner say about your 253...?

Personally I like 253 at a modest angle with the two bright stars on top (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/146741809/original)but it looks good at just about any angle really :thumbsup:

Mike

[Geoff45]

I suppose people have been spotting funny shapes in the sky for some time now (constellations). It's just that now we're zooming in a bit more

[pluto]

She said "Very nice" in a way that was sincere yet hinted that she didn't really appreciate the effort it took to produce. She's very supportive of my hobby generally as the way she sees it it's better for me to be out all night with my scope than at the pub ;)

[pluto]

Thanks very much Rod :)

[strongmanmike]

Yeah pretty much the same here, she often likes my rejects actually and wants to hang'em on the bloody wall :rolleyes: :lol: Our eye's deffinitely see different things in astroimages, that's for sure :)

Mike

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Very good NGC 253 Hugh!:thumbsup:

Love the colour and processing.

Cheers,

Justin.

[pluto]

Thanks Justin :)

[marc4darkskies]

A beautiful image Hugh! Excellent detail and pleasing colour. I don't mind the orientation but do prefer 90deg CCW. I usually experiment ... when you get the right composition it jumps out at you! :)

Cheers, Marcus

[pluto]

Thanks Marcus, and that's good advice.

[Ross G]

Great galaxy photo Hugh no matter which way you look at it.

Very nice colours and detail.

Ross.

[pluto]

Cheers Ross :)

[Rex]

Hi Hugh, really nicely processed mate. I love the Ha area's that you have brought out.

[pluto]

Thanks Rex.
Yeah I'm a big fan of adding some Ha to galaxy images. After seeing how much the Ha helped when I did M83 I knew I had to grab some for this one, in fact I have some LRGB for NGC300 ready to go too but I'm not going to process it until I have a chance to grab a nights worth of Ha for it :)