NGC 2070 Bicolour NB

[Andy01]

Hi folks,

My 2nd attempt at bicolour NB imaging. This one from my suburban Melbourne backyard, 3 hrs of 5nm Ha (red) under a full moon, 2 hrs 5nm OIII (blue) just before moonrise. (thanks for that tip RickS) and a Synthetic green channel.

Had to do bicolour because of the weird dust thing that happened that stuffed the SII subs. (see my post in the Astro imaging forum) Seems the other subs processed out the dust ok.

I'm learning lots doing this technique and getting small wins along the way - these are my first ever 15min subs - woohoo! Taken using a 2nd hand untuned EQ6 that the seller thought was only good for 5-7 mins max, lol :)

Pretty amazing what these filters reveal up there - sooooo much more info than on my old OSC. Still a bit noisy though - Looks like it could use another say 20hrs data judging by the other amazing NB images recently posted here by Paul Haese and others!

Tips and criticism welcome, it's the only way to learn.:thumbsup:
Thanks for looking.

High Res here… http://www.astrobin.com/full/135765/0/

[pluto]

Great pic, I really like those colours :)

[strongmanmike]

Hmmm? Ok, it is quite deep.....but if I am honest :shrug: it looks like it has been painted with a brush and watercolour rather than being an image of the night sky :question:...having said that it does look quite spectacular :eyepop: :thumbsup:

Not sure what advice to offer re the processing as I don't know what processing you used but the data looks to have been smoothed and averaged too much causing a stepped or terraced effect, if that makes sense :question: which doesn't look natural and the core is a bit blown.

Hope I don't sound harsh, trying to be constructive as overall it has plenty of potential :)

Great news about the performance of your gear though Andy, working apparatus is always a plus :thumbsup:

Mike

[Rex]

Nice going Andy, sorry mate I can't offer any advice as I know nothing about NB processing. Very pleasing image to look at.

[cometcatcher]

I don't think I will ever get into NB myself but that looks great!

[SimmoW]

You're right Andy, those filters work a treat! Massive increase in neb detail. Now keep it up and get another 5 nights data :-)

[Andy01]

Cheers Pluto - took a while to get that colour pallatte balanced :)



Hi Mike, thanks for taking the time to comment.

I'll take that brush and watercolour comment! Without trying to sound in any way dismissive, I'm always after a more "artistic and aesthetic" effect than a truly accurate scientific record.

That being said, I'm usually guilty of pushing my limited data very hard in order to create a dramatic look. I absolutely agree about the stepped look, it's not so "gassy" as I would like.
I've posted another subtler version below. The bicolour technique used is described here... http://www.starrywonders.com/bicolortechniquenew.html

High res link here … http://www.astrobin.com/135939/

Re: The core - I blended the 15 min subs with 2 min subs to hold the detail, but it looks like I need some even shorter ones as well - with the extreme dynamic range of this thing, it's a bit like imaging M42 I guess.

Relax, your comments are welcome - I have thick skin and really appreciate your input. :thumbsup:



Cheers Rex, Thanks for the feedback :)



Oh go on - NB is fun! Seriously though, thanks for your kind words :)



Er - yeah, soon as someone invents plate solving that works on a mac....

[RickS]

Quite an interesting look, Andy.

Cheers,
Rick.

[Ross G]

Interesting photo Andy.

I really like it...would hang it on my wall!

Ross.

[strongmanmike]

Well to me the repro looks better for sure, more natural and plenty of fine details, be good to see it larger though :)

Yes this imaging game is certainly an art (often a dark art) but I think the art should still look like what it is....but hey I wouldn't dispel a different approach, diversity is the spice of imaging :)

Mike

[Andy01]

Thanks Rick, appreciate your input :)



Thanks Ross, Make me an offer! lol, just kidding - pleased you like it :)



Hi Mike,

Here is the link to the high res revision - http://www.astrobin.com/135939/
Thanks for pushing me to try even harder, I like this version as well :)

Really appreciate all the input everyone, I'm starting to believe that maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel!

Cheers

Andy

[strongmanmike]

Aaaah see? now that's more like it, still has an arty look but now looks like what it actually is...great shot - well done :thumbsup:



Ok was that a pun..or were you just being lighthearted :question:

Mike
comedian