M20 NB and BB 16.7 hours

[Paul Haese]

It has taken quite some time to get around to imaging this object and I am glad it has now almost been completed. This image is of M20 with narrow band and broad band data. For the traditionalist I plan on collecting a bit more data in RGB to provide a traditional view of this object. For now though this is the image I had originally planned when I began this project earlier in the year. I hope people like it as much as I do. Please feel free to tell you what you like or don't like about the image.

The image contains the following data:

Luminance 120 minutes
Red 60 minutes
Green 20 minutes
Blue 20 minutes
SII 210 minutes
Ha 360 minutes
OIII 210 minutes

Total at this stage being 16.7 hours.

Click here (http://paulhaese.net/M20RC.html) for larger resolution image

[Scheimfluge]

Paul.
This is a wonderful rendition of M20. Thank you for your dedication and time you put into this amazing subject. I gather this was taken with the RC 12".The colors are very pleasing to look at.

Geoff

[Andy01]

Wow! that packs a punch - very 3D and bold.
Maybe some more natural star colours would compliment the neb as well? Maybe it's just me but the bright star at the top is kinda distracting.

That's a cool deep moody M20, well done :)

[Placidus]

The blues seem slightly more deliciously contrasty and intense than in the already magnificent late-august version. Inspiring.

[Somnium]

Very nice image Paul, using the 7 filters really gives a nice depth and range of colours

[pluto]

Very nice, so much depth!

[multiweb]

+1 Really smooth and the details in the trifid is outstanding. Top shelf. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[RickS]

Love the detail, Paul. Overall a stunning image. Agree with Andy about the stars. That would be the icing on the cake :)

[Rod771]

Sensational detail and depth.

I particularly like the dark black background. It showcase's the nebula colours very well and gives the image that lonely, dark, deep space vibe.

Nice work, Paul! :thumbsup:

[Stevec35]

Sensational detail Paul! I have to admit I prefer the more traditional colours but I reckon you have another winner there mate.

Cheers

Steve

[gregbradley]

Love the way you have accentuated the dusty trifid section. So much detail that its outstanding. The little slug feelers below are rare to see.

A terrific image.

Greg.

[Octane]

Another delicious fruit ripe for eating.

That is outstanding, Paul!

H

[marc4darkskies]

Superb image Paul in every resepect! :thumbsup:

[DJT]

Awesome final image Paul. Well done!

[Peter Ward]

I'm struggling with this one Paul.

The high-contrast sky and earthy tones are interesting, but I can't help but think shadow details are being hidden as a result.

The central neb also shows remarkable resolution, but again this is not echoed
by uber-tight stellar footprints and scattering around the brighter stars toward the edge......hallmarks of localized processing :question:

This can be OK but, but I agree with DM.... OK so long as you don't notice it :)

A good image just the same :thumbsup:


P.S.
I'm pining to just get some data..any data.... currently no mount or scope in the dome!

[John K]

That's outstanding Paul - the most detailed amateur image of this object I have seen - very Hubble like in terms of the colours and also some of the fine filamentary structure you have captured.

[Atmos]

I am feeling so jealous of your setup!
Very nicely captured and processed. My first impression (even from the thumb nail) was just HOW 3D it appears :-)

[DJScotty]

Love it Paul.
It's not often I disagree with people on this forum, but I cannot agree with Andy's comment about the top star being a distraction. It really adds to the depth of the image. It enables you to see where everything is in relation to everything else.

Again, superb image and cannot be faulted in my humble opinion :D

[Bassnut]

Excellent Paul, the NB RGB blend is perfect. I get tired of M20, but your rendition is sharper, smoother and has a kind of "solid" colour saturation that is impressive.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Mike and Trish, Aidan, Hugh, Marc, Rick, Rod, H, Marcus, David, Colin and Scott for your comments and opinions. Much appreciated.




Thanks Geoff. It was taken with the RC12". Its been a bit of slog this image. I have started and stopped this 3 times for various reasons.



Thanks Andy, the star colour is a bit muted but I just don't have enough data to push the saturation much higher at this stage. I plan on gathering more data. Hmm maybe the star is a bit distracting.



Thanks Steve, it took me some time to settle on NB colouring, but I hope I have settled on a scheme that I and others like. AOX really makes the detail I think, especially in good seeing it is obvious.



That slug is upside down in this image but I was surprised to see it myself. I even checked against other images such as Hubble to see if it was real.



Agreed, I fixed both the background and the stellar profiles a bit. I was informed by not only yourself but Martin that the central stars could not be seen in the previous version. I inadvertently forgot to exclude the brighter stars on a contrast enhancement late in the processing. Should not rush things sometimes. I have not done any star shape adjustments at all on this particular image. I understand what it is like not to have equipment running and missing collecting data.



Thanks John. There are a few more images with better detail but the images either come from Hubble or much larger scopes. This is certainly an outstanding image for detail on this object from a small scope. Very happy with that alone. Bit like getting a good image of Jupiter or Saturn or even Mars and what I had set out to do with this imaging rig.



Thanks Fred, that is sort of what I was aiming for and I did wonder what your thoughts would be as I know you love your NB colour. BTW where is your latest image?

[Flugel88]

Hi paul i must say this has to be the best M20 image with Narrowband blend that i have ever seen:prey2:.
Star colours and very respectable too.

Was wondering what filters your running with your Sbig? Have you gone down the 3nm path?

[marco]

Amazing details Paul! I am not a lover of the colors coming from NB though, but I am am very traditional on this matter so it is just a very personal taste. Definitely not the usual M20 seein around, so kudos to you on this remarkable effort!
Clear skies
Marco

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Michael, I am using a mix of filters. 5nm for Ha and SII and 3nm for OIII. This was the recommendation by Don Goldman. It was an expensive purchase for all the filters but worth the results.




Thanks Marco, I understand your point entirely. It took me quite some time to come around to narrow band imaging but images from the Hubble, Rob Gendler and Don Goldman really convinced me that there was some thing to their use. I think half the problem was settling on a palette I liked. I really dislike the green that can dominate is so many NB images.

Having said that, stay tuned for a traditional colour palette of this object. I am just waiting to get some clear sky now during the new moon cycle to pick up the balance of data I need for such an image.

[Paul Haese]

Update.

I have added more RGB data to this image now and all up the image totals 18 hours.

I think this looks better. The hi res link has the new image in it and I have included a smaller thumb nail here of the new image with extra data for comparison with the first thumb nail.

[graham.hobart]

That's an amazing Trifid Paul. I really like the mix of colours.
Applause!
Graham

[Andy01]

That's just drawdroppingly good now - sensational work Paul :)

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Graham, I like the colours too.



Thanks Andy, it does a certain impact now.