Rcw32

[jase]

Hi All,

I ventured into the Vela SNR area looking for a specific object that I remembered seeing in a wide field image a while ago. After some internet trawling I came across the object, RCW32. What drew me to it was it's array of aesthetic colours and features which I found striking. From the wide field image, RCW32 looked like it would present a processing challenge given its complex characteristics combining emission and reflection nebulae. It reminds me a lot of M20 seen here (http://cosmicphotos.com/gallery/image.php?fld_image_id=275&fld_album_id=275) taken with my 12.5" RCOS set up last year. RCW32 sure was fun to work on.

Here's my rendition of RCW32 (http://cosmicphotos.com/gallery/image.php?fld_image_id=279&fld_album_id=11)

Processed in CCDStack, MaximDL and Photoshop. The image started out as a HA+R blend but I found the Ha data too overpowering, even when toned right down. Any form of reflection nebulae was simply washed out. I focused my attention of the base RGB master. It displayed the emission and reflection nebulosity reasonably well. I know I could enhance these with selective colour in PS at a later stage. I still managed to use the Ha data I had collected but not as luminosity, only lighten mode and with a opacity of around 45%. Despite the low opacity it still brought in some pleasing details and depth to the image. Finished off using shadow/highlights with a colour correction adjustment to get saturation to taste. Same as the CG12 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=134841) image, I've blown the blue channel again. I think this is going to be a simple fact of imaging with this set up. Stars are bright and with a fast set up, they are easy to hit saturation point. I've lost no important data as a result but I do like to see a clean histogram. Anyway, enough of my rambling.

I hope you like it! :)

[RickS]

A Southern Trifid to go with the northern Trifid and M20. I guess it makes sense that there would be three of them :D

I have seen this one before but very rarely. It's a very nice looking neb with a good combination of emission and (very) dark nebulosity with a nice smidge of reflection neb. Great choice of target and processing, Jase!

Cheers,
Rick.

[jase]

:lol: Yeah, its a very interesting target Rick, and an enjoyable one to process too. I could have perhaps gone harder on noise control but I didn't want the image to look plastic like. Thanks for checking it out.

[DavidTrap]

That's really impressive.

You're finding some obscure objects - show's there are plenty of targets to keep us all interested in the years ahead!

DT

[cometcatcher]

That really beautiful. Like that one.

[jase]

Thanks David! I can confirm we will not run out of objects to image. ;) You only need to take a look at Galaxy Map's Milky Way Explorer (http://galaxymap.org/mwe/mwe.php?centreLon=8.4375&centreLat=-1.58203125&zoom=0&tile_set=sc_dim_overlay&show_markers=1) to quickly realise that there's a vast selection of objects available. No need to stick with the mainstream objects, that's for sure. MWE is another great tool for planning composition. I often perform a screen grab and import an area into SkyX so I can get precise coordinates. You'll find just about all the RCW object listed with MWE. Very handy, worth a look.



Cheers Kevin. Thanks for the comment, pleased you liked it. :)

[gregbradley]

That's a fantastic image Jase.
I remember that neb I got it when doing a Vela mosaic last year.
I didn't know it had reflection neb in it.
Greg

[Paul Haese]

Nice colours Jase, good detail and fine processing. I really like the whispy reflection nebula seen within the shot. My screen is showing some to the right of the main nebula and it will be hard to see it on many screens but it is clear as day on my screen. I reckon more data would really make this image though.

[jase]

Cheers Greg! I remember your Vela mosaic. There are certainly plenty of gems in that part of the sky.



Thanks Paul! Yes, it was fun trying to bring out the reflection nebulosity that's nested in the Ha. The approach worked well. You are correct, the field to right has faint reflection nebulosity which explains why they emission nebula at lower right is more pink in hue compared to the top left of the image where there is no reflection nebulosity that overlays the emission nebulae. All makes for a rather colourful scene. The signal to noise at F/3.5 compared to F/9 of my old set up is chalk and cheese.

[rustigsmed]

really nice Jase, I don't recall seeing this subject on its own like this, I like it a lot. definitely some similarities with M20.

cheers

[Ross G]

Another excellent photo of an unusual object Jason.

Your current lot of photos has shown me new objects and I really appreciate your descriptions of how you have processed the photos.

Thank you.

Ross.

[jase]

Thanks Russ. :) No, there are a few wide field versions floating about. Also some with an even narrower field of view than mind. Great to see different variations.



Thanks Ross. :) I try to explain a little on how I've approached the data. It gives some insight and hopefully opens up some ideas for others to try. That's the beauty of this forum. Freedom of information.

[Rex]

Another awesome shot Jase, and a little obscure and not oftem imaged makes even more interesting. :thumbsup:

[jase]

Thanks Rex! Appreciated mate. :thumbsup: