M78 - 22.7 hours

[rmuhlack]

This is the first time I have imaged M78, and I have found it quite a challenging target to bring out detail and colour in the dim stuff whilst still keeping the noise in check. Not sure that I have entirely succeeded on that front (with respect to noise especially), so I'm looking for advice and suggestions on processing to move the image to the next level.

Basic Pixinsight Workflow: crop, DBE, decon (high signal areas only), MLT for noise reduction, histogram stretch, HDRMT, Local histogram equalization (high signal areas), curves.

Capture details:
modded Canon 1000D with regulated cooling @ 10C
136 x 600s subs @ ISO1600
Vixen VC200L with f6.4 reducer
Lacerta OAG

hi-res here: http://www.astrobin.com/full/143468/B/

cheers :cheers:

[Andy01]

That looks fantastic, we'll done :)

[multiweb]

+1 fantastic shot!:thumbsup:

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Another great image Richard!:thumbsup:

Certainly plenty of detail, surprised there's still noise with 22.7 hrs.

Is the 1000D inherently noisy?

Cheers,

Justin.

[Paul Haese]

Hi Richard,

this is a tough object to image. I did around that figure a few years ago and still had noise present in the image; and that was with my QSI. Part of the problem is that you have to stretch a lot to reveal the detail on this object and that of course reveals the noise. Some strategies around the problem can be to collect more data. Or collect data that has longer subs to prevent the need to stretch a lot. This is the strategy I employ these days but that will not help you now.

An inverted mask (reveal type) using noise control only (not blurring)will reduce the level of noise you have in the darker parts of the image.

Personally I reckon do another 20 hours and see what that does the image. Your signal will increase a lot and reduce noise too.

I like the colour and the detail level is pretty good. Some more data and some selective sharpening will make it a great image.

[LewisM]

M78 is my Point of Obsession (but thanks to wonderful QLD weather, still haven't had a crack in ages).

Agree with Paul. I think my M78 with the FL102S was up to around 10 hours and noisy as snot, but the detail was coming out.

What is surprising in your image is the lack of H-a emmission - there is an abundance of H-a around M78, that even my Fl102S and the ancient ST-8Xe STARTED to reveal (and was more aparent in my FSQ-85 images with the FLI). have alook at marco's image to see the amount of H-a around. Perhaps the cooled DSLR isn't picking it up so much?

Anyway, BEAUTIFUL image - in fact, I think better than at least 95% I have seen out there, even some taken with large instruments and high end CCD's.

Keep at it. VERY envious you can image my jewel :)

[RickS]

A very nice result, Richard. Dark nebs are inherently difficult because of shot noise. I'm finding that even with many hours of data with a fast scope and mono camera under dark skies at SRO :)

Cheers,
Rick.

[rmuhlack]

Thanks for the feedback - looks like i'm not finished on this project just yet! I'll endeavour to add to the data over the coming month, and will experiment with longer subs (although i've not gone longer than 10mins before).

For anyone interested in having a play with the data, I have uploaded the unprocessed stacked image to the Astrobin public data pool: http://www.astrobin.com/rawdata/publicdatapools/26/

:)

[suma126]

great image :thumbsup:. well done

[LewisM]

Still noisy, but the H-a is starting to show more.

http://www.astrobin.com/full/143729/0/

[nebulosity.]

Lovely image Richard,

I had a little go in StarTools, way over smoothed but, oh well.

I am intrigued as to why so much stretching is needed, I don't have to stretch my images that much at all and can decently smooth data in around 4 to 5 hours.

Cheers
Jo

[LewisM]

I did a more aesthetically pleasing version - to me, M78 should always be dark and brooding, not a bright, jovial nebula :)

http://www.astrobin.com/143729/B/

[Leonardo70]

Very nice ... congrats.

All the best,
Leo

[cometcatcher]

Beautiful image Richard! I reckon you need a Sony A7s.