Back to Imaging - NGC 6559

[pvelez]

Its been months since I have posted. I had hardware and software issues and then determined that my processing skills were not up to standard.

Here's the first image set I am pleased with - NGC 6559.

Taken mainly in September 2015 through a PW CDK 12.5. Camera is my new FLI PL 16803. What a clean camera!

Comprises 3 hours Lum and between 1.5 and 3 hours of each of R, G and B. There is more data to be added now that the moon is down so treat this as an interim post.

Imaged from the iTelescope Facility at SSO, near Coonabarabran (iTelescope.Net @ SSO - http://hosting.itelescope.net

I also collected 3 hours of Ha data in mid-September - the second image has the included. The emission nebula is much richer for it but I can't quite get the lovely gold of the background right - if anyone has any tips on how to adjust this in PI, I'd love to hear from you.

All data was processed in PI. I'm pleased with the noise reduction processes - I've finally worked out how to use them in PI at the linear stage.

Higher resolution images - resampled at 50% of original size - can be viewed here:

http://www.pbase.com/equitius/image/161485098/original

http://www.pbase.com/equitius/image/161485104

Comments and queries are welcome.

Pete

[Shiraz]

looking real nice Pete - welcome back. colour is very clean and the resolution is good.

is there maybe some slight image plane tilt visible in the upper left? - doesn't detract much from the image, but maybe one of the hazards of a BIG chip.

[strongmanmike]

Very nice Pete :thumbsup: I think your come back image is excellent. Yes, I can see the noise reduction work but, still, I think it is was quite well handled and most importantly, no signs of the dreaded decon or wavelet dots and worms :P Oh and the less red more magenta version looks best to my eyes.

Mike

[RickS]

That's a good result, Pete!

[pvelez]

Thanks Ray

I hadn't noticed the tilt [previously - I'll have a play with the subs and CCD Inspector to check it out.



Cheers Mike

Still learning how to drive PI - it may sound odd, but its easier to process a busy field like this than a simple galaxy on a vacant field of stars. I did use a touch of Decon - but only a touch!

The colour is a challenge - the magenta version was more popular with my kids as the background star field is more gold. I'll see whether more data and a repro can get the Ha version improved



Thanks Rick - still learning. Plenty of scope for that!

Pete

[marc4darkskies]

Absolutely first class image Pete! :thumbsup: Prefer the LRGB image though - beautiful colours! The Ha version looks too saturated / red to me.

Cheers, Marcus

[LewisM]

What a FINE restart!

Maybe we will need to call you "Velez Reloaded"? :P

[rustigsmed]

looks great Pete, this is one object I have struggled with! you've done well.

Russ

[pvelez]

Thanks Marcus - the red is challenging to keep under control with Ha. I'll revisit when I have some more data.



Cheers Lewis



Thanks Russ. Its certainly a busy field. I'm pleased that there isn't any obvious gradient - it would be damn difficult to tidy that up in such a crowded region

Pete

[pvelez]

I've captured some more photons and have polished this up a bit. I'm now calling this done. Apart from the fact that I have some interesting new targets, this region is fast setting early in the evening. I could tweak it more but have ru out of energy.

I've added Lum, R and G - roughly 4 hours of Lum and just under 3 hours of each of R, G and B. All images were unbinned.

On balance, I prefer this one - without the Ha. I always struggle to get the colour balance right. If I do succeed in eliminating the green from the background, the Ha area is very red. Without the Ha, I was able to keep the golden background.

Here is a link to the finished product - comments (cutting or helpful I don't mind) are welcome.

http://www.pbase.com/equitius/image/161485098

Pete

[strongmanmike]

Very nice Pete, well done, lots of subtleties to see while panning around :thumbsup: