My first attempt at starless

[Stevec35]

Hi to all

I've often played around with trying to produce starless images (nebulae with stars removed) but I've never been able to produce results that match the examples you occasionally see posted here. The current Astronomy Now magazine has information on a program called Straton that makes the process much easier. Anyway I had a go with one of my old Eta Carinae images and it looked quite encouraging. Not perfect as I had to manually clean up some stars that weren't removed properly but still a reasonable result. In any case the removal process would probably work better by tweaking the parameters - I just used the defaults for this image.

Anyway I thought this might be of interest

Cheers

Steve

Original image with link to starless version:

http://members.pcug.org.au/~stevec/ngc3372_STL6303_RC.htm

Direct link to starless version:

http://members.pcug.org.au/~stevec/ngc3372_STL6303_NIIHaOIII_starless. jpg

[RickS]

I can't make up my mind whether I like starless images or not but you did a nice job on that one, Steve.

I have been playing around with JP Metsavainio's tone mapping technique so I have a few starless images lying around. I tried Straton but found I could remove stars just as effectively with PI.

Cheers,
Rick.

[leon]

That is very interesting, however there seems to be something missing. :P :) not sure either if i like it or not :shrug:

Leon :thumbsup:

[Stevec35]

Thanks guys. I can't make up my mind whether I like it either. It may have application in separating the processing of stars and nebula though. I didn't know you could do it with PI but the program only cost 15 Euros I guess.

[Solitarian]

Nice work

I like the starless as long as I can refer to the same image with stars, as you have done with the links.

[lazjen]

I prefer the one with the stars. :)

[cometcatcher]

Well, I like the one with stars better, which is awesome by the way! Completely starless just doesn't look right. However, I've discovered that when it comes to nebula and comets, I do like some degree of subdued stars, just not zero.

[John Hothersall]

The starless version looks weirdly attractive.

John.

[Bassnut]

Welcome to the dottless-dark side, excellent, very well processed, striking without the stupid white dots.

[Stevec35]

Thanks Fred. Thought I would get a response from you. It's worth pointing out that Fred got a Malin award for a starless image.



Thanks John. It has its own charm but I think I like the normal version better myself in this case.



Fair enough



As do I but I think some objects would work very well with starless. Faint nebulae in dense star fields for instance.



Thanks

[atalas]

Both views look great Steve!well done.

[Stevec35]

Thanks Louie

[SkyViking]

Very nice, and intriguing work Steve. Your result is very beautiful and both versions are definitely top notch. Can't decide either which one I like best, just love them both :)

[Stevec35]

Thanks very much Rolf.

[Logieberra]

Beautiful Steve. I like it!

[alpal]

Hi Steve,
I like both versions.
You had some wonderful seeing.
The "finger of God " can be seen clearly by the keyhole.

cheers
Allan

[strongmanmike]

Hmmm? interesting Steve, worthwhile exercise, thanks for sharing :thumbsup:

Mike

[Stevec35]

Thanks Mike. Don't assume I'm sold on starless but it was an interesting exercise which may be repeated if a suitable image comes along.

[Stevec35]

Thanks Allan. The Eta image is one of my best of this object. I rarely get good seeing (or even sky!) these days.

[Stevec35]

Thanks Logan

[multiweb]

:eyepop: That's very cool. A benchmark Eta. Love the details. Really well processed regardless of the stars. One for the cool wall. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Stevec35]

Thanks Marc

[gvanhau]

Far better than what I would have espected but not sure if it is my taste.

[Stevec35]

Thanks. I'm not sure if it's to my taste either. I'm still experimenting but I think the best effect might be a 50% blend of the regular and starless images.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Nice work again Steve!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Can't make up my mind:question:.

I'd like them both hanging on the wall.:)

Cheers,

Justin.

[Leonardo70]

Impressive Steve ... really nice.

All the best,
Leo

[Ric]

Hi Steve

I like these starless versions of nebula's, to me I think it allows more finer details to be seen which can be hidden by the shine of the stars.

Nice work :thumbsup:

[Stevec35]

Thanks Ric. I agree. Eta Carina is probably a bad example and this technique would really come into its own with faint nebulae in dense star regions.



Thanks Leo



Thanks Justin