1 hour Tarantula

[tornado33]

Howdy
Back on early morning sept 23rd I shot the Tarantula Neb in the LMC, 3x20 mins ISO 400, 10 inch Newtonian uv/ir, UHC-S and MPCC.
Initially I wasnt happy with the first efforts processing (sky seemed rather bright) so did it again using colour stretching in IRIS and also masking techniques in Photoshop, to try and get most of the dynamic range in. The colour stretching is useful, bringing out the green oxgen glow along the red hydrogen emission. This is what Ive been able to come up with. Im sure 1/2 the effort is at the PC rather then the telescope nowdays with digital imaging.
Hand off axis guided as usual.
Scott

[h0ughy]

wow wonderful stuff there Scott. Not bad mate, one day you will be as good as me:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

in my dreams:screwy: :thumbsup: :D

[janoskiss]

Very nice detail. The colour scheme somehow makes me think of "War of the worlds" (ie the Spielberg movie, brilliant brain-in-idle flick btw).

[tornado33]

Thanks all :)

[ballaratdragons]

WOW Scott, that is amazing!!!

I have always seen (in pics and thru the scope) the shape of a Tarantula as a light coloured gas cloud in front of the darker gas cloud.

Your pic has changed that! Tarantula is actually an empty bit in amongst surrounding gas!!!!!!!!!!!!

The exact opposite of what I thought. Well, we learn something new every day. Thanks for teaching me that Scott. :thumbsup:

[Ric]

Hi Scott, thats a great image very rich in it's colours. I'll have to wait a bit longer for it to move past a tree in my neighbours yard before I can have a go at it

great work

[Astroman]

Nice shot Scott, you have captured it really well.

[Striker]

Another nice image Scott,

I am not totaly convinced that taking 20min exposures would produce a better image then you doubling your 6 x 10m exposures especialy out of newcastle.

Wake that Paul up will you he still has to nominate this months DSO challenge.

[Garyh]

Love the shot Scott, I like how you brought out the color of the hydrogen and oxygen and blended for a natural and excellent shot.
Cheers Gary

[EzyStyles]

i like it scott. the twirls around the tarantula's legs . Nice colours too.

[gbeal]

Cracker image Scott. Write a few tips on using IRIS will you. I want to use it, but find it less than user friendly.
Gary

[tornado33]

Thanke everyone. Yes I will see if I can come up with some note re: Iris, yes it has a steep learning curve but does have some powerful features.
One night I will put on the Ha filter and take a single 1 hour exposure and process it with a 1 hour dark and see what the result is to compare with shorter ones totalling 1 hour.
I find shooting at ISO 200 gives unwanted banding, so whatever setting I use I think I will always keep to at least ISO 400.
Ive advised Paul re the next DSO challenge, hes assured me he will soon come up with soemthing.
Scott

[ving]

very rich scott! :)

[xelasnave]

That is really something Scott you gotta be very proud to have produced that image..I live for the day I can get close to your work
alex

[tornado33]

Thanks :)