NGC6164 now with RGB

[Paul Haese]

A few weeks ago I posted a bi-colour image of this nebula. Since then I have added 3.3 hours of colour data. It has lightened the image considerably showing further back ground detail.

I did try to edit the old thread but it seems the edit function has dropped out of the start of the thread. So please forgive me starting another thread.

I have included a small image of the how the image looked and one of how it looks now.

Please click here (http://paulhaese.net/NGC6164.html) for larger resolution image.

[gregbradley]

Yeah that's nice, real nice.

That's an interesting area at one end where there is that bright patch of red. My last image of this object showed that as well. It must be a more dense patch of hydrogen gas there or its closer to another star?

Greg.

[rustigsmed]

yep, I like it a lot. great colour.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Russell for your compliment.



Not sure Greg, but it would seem there is a higher concentration of Ha in that spot. The subtle striations in the gas are quite interesting too. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of this area might know.

[pluto]

Very nice! :eyepop:

[Slawomir]

Awesome photo Paul, I mean it. The nebula in itself is a very intriguing object, but the detail stunning. 5 stars.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Hugh, it is a bit of a wow object this one.



Thanks Slawomir, I think the RGB data has given the image a real lift. I am very happy with the actual detail in the main nebula.

[Geoff45]

Nice intricate resolution of the neb and good looking star colours. Nicely done Paul.
Geoff

[Placidus]

Very fine indeed, Paul. The finest details in the inner nebula are nailed, and the outer OIII shell is very nicely and cleanly shown.

Trish and I spent quite some time comparing your shot with ours at high magnification. Quite different colours of course, different filters, different gear, and very different emphasis, but it was amazing the extent to which we agree on the tiniest of details. As an ex-scientist, I find that reassuring. Neither of us is making this stuff up.

Best,
M&T

[jase]

A nice addition Paul. It was good to blink the original and revised images. The stars really perk up the image which make it an even more pleasing view. Good stuff!

[Rex]

Great image Paul. The detail inside the nebula is really well defined, and the differing colour variations in this object are very interesting, and make quite a beautiful show.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Geoff and Rex for your comments. :)




Thanks Trish and Mike. It is a tough object to get clean and looking "right". When I say "right" I mean from a subjective perspective. I can see why Rick did 70 hours on this object when he did it. The noise levels were hard to eliminate in the OIII, but I got to a point where I just did not want to spend anymore time with the integration. Plus the guide star I selected makes it hard to use with the AOX. Now that I have fitted the AOX I want to start utilising it for each image. This is the last image where I will use traditional guiding.

I was very careful about the level of sharpening I used on the core nebula. As you would see it could be easy to over sharpen it and give an odd over cooked look to it. There are some tiny tendrils that I really like in the core as a result of this approach. Some interesting shadows being cast too. It's easy to push the processing so artefacts appear and then one can assume those are real.

Thanks once again for your detailed comments. :)



Thanks Jase I appreciate you taking the time to comment :thumbsup:. I thought it would be pertinent to have a blink comparison of the two images. The changes are quite subtle I suppose but fairly visible once you do a blink comparison. There is some detail in the back ground that shows up with the addition of the RGB set. In any event it is nice to finally have this image done..... For now!

[RickS]

Paul,

Very nice! The addition of the RGB made a big improvement.

I should collect some decent RGB data and do a repro on mine some time.

Cheers,
Rick.

[Slawomir]

I was just looking at Rick's version of this nebula. I like how Paul beautifully captured the central part, but in Rick's interpretation the surrounding "shockwaves" are standing out more. Both images are outstanding.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Stunning work Paul!:thumbsup:

First time I've seen the cone shaped structure in the middle of the nebula.
If I get the chance I want to try at ISO 6400 to see if I can get the outer shell.
Worth a shot.:)

Cheers,

Justin.

[Fabiomax]

wow! The detail and deep si amazing! I see 34 hours of total exposure!
Great image,
Fabiomax

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Rick, I think I could probably do with some more OIII on this object given your image had many hours more than mine. So like you I suspect that I am not yet finished with this object. Maybe some more OIII next year.



Thanks Slawomir, I agree Rick's image shows the shockwaves really well and that is no doubt due to the collection of data. As to my version of the central part; no doubt that is due to the seeing on the nights I captured the Ha data. I was quite careful about the processing too. It would be so easy to over cook the detail.



Thanks Justin, this is a tough customer for DSLR imaging. It is barely ok for CCD in my opinion. However, anything is worth a try. Might I suggest you go as long as you can mate. BTW I hope all is well with the Mrs now. Is she feeling better?




Thanks Fabio. It is reasonably deep but not as deep as a few other examples out there. Thanks for your comment.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Thanks for the tip Paul!

Kathy is on the mend, doing quite well.
Big change in life style, have to think about diet especially salt and the way things are done around the house.
All positive though.:)

Cheers,

Justin.

[rustigsmed]

Hi justin,

glad to hear the missus is on the mend :)



outershell is super super faint ... i think you really need an Oiii filter or nebula filter to make it work, so if you have one lying around that can be used definitely use it.

here is a dslr comparo

regular
https://www.flickr.com/photos/80336656@N07/17804683519/in/dateposted-public/lightbox/

Oiii filter dslr mixed in
https://www.flickr.com/photos/80336656@N07/17932724679/in/dateposted-public/lightbox/

but if anyone can nab it with a dslr you can!

Cheers

Russ

[Paul Haese]

That's good to hear. After being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation a few years back I can empathise with changes being made. Though no where near as extreme a situation of complete dietary changes.



That is a good comparison Russ and gives a good idea of what can be obtained with a DSLR.

[nandopg]

Hi Paul,
Stunning image, with lots of details to go through. The outer halo showed up very well and the gaz and dusty around, with the outer halo gave a nice feeling of 3D. Actually the mix of the bicolor image with RGB makes the resulting image smoother, in addition to bring out some more details.
This is an impressive image.
Fernando

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Fernando, I really like what the RGB did to the image too. This is one of my favourite images at present.

[multiweb]

I like the details in the high-res. Really good stuff. Nailed it. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Thanks Russ!

Thanks for the comparisons too.:thumbsup:

Gives me something to aim for.

Cheers,

Justin.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Marc, I think with better guiding I would perhaps eek out a bit more detail but probably not much more.

[Bassnut]

Pretty smick Paul, excellent. The hrs and colour are worth the effort.

[Harel_Boren]

Ho ho, this IS beautiful!
And even more than that - it's not OVER done as freuquently is the case with this object...
I had it take part in an image I shot 2 years ago from the Kalahari - it was wide field though. Perhaps you like to take a look:
http://www.pbase.com/boren/image/151220195

Cheers,
Harel

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Fred. I had expected to collect a lot more OIII and perhaps I should have to bring out more of the OIII bubble. :shrug:



Thanks Harel, I agree it is a tough object to delicately extract the detail and remain natural looking.

Your image is a very nice shot of the region. I have always liked images of both 6188 and 6164 together in the same frame. There seems to be a nice symmetry between the two objects especially in that framing.

[peter_4059]

Great image of a difficult target. The outer bubble is showing up nicely.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Peter, yes it can be a bit difficult. Deep subs in the way in NB though on this target.

[Hagar]

The hi res version is so smoooooth. The detail and background are just spectacular.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Doug, integration time makes all the difference for smooth finishes to backgrounds. I think the detailing in the nebulosity is probably one of the best results I have achieved with this scope. It's not as good as using a 20" but its pretty good for a cheap set of optics.