NGC 55, irrregular galaxy in scuptor

[gvanhau]

Hello

I managed to capture this image during several nights between August and November 2015 from my light polluted backyard observatory in Santiago, Chile.

32.5 Hours integration in 10 min subs.

Here other sizes: https://www.flickr.com/photos/astro_gvanhau/22852161934/in/dateposted-public/

As usual, Comments welcome.

Geert

[Atmos]

Looking really good! Lovely detail and nicely processed.

[RickS]

Nice work, Geert. Quite a challenge from a light polluted site!

[alpal]

Hi Geert,
That is a lot of time you've spent & the results are worth it.
I hope you don't mind?
I did a few small adjustments - to increase colour &
give it a slight sharpen.
do you think this is better?

cheers
Allan

[Slawomir]

Nice work Geert :thumbsup:

I attempted imaging this galaxy a while ago and failed miserably.

[gvanhau]

Thank You Colin

[gvanhau]

Thank You Rick. I had not much chance to go out this year, so I have to squeeze my setup at home.

[gvanhau]

Thank you Alan. Your adjustments look very good. What did you use, LightRoom?

[gvanhau]

Thanks Slawomir.
Don't give up, This is also my third attempt. The mayor problem I had wit it, is that there are no many stars near the galaxy for guiding with the OAG.

[alpal]

Hi Geert,
I am glad you like it -I used Photoshop CS5.
Also used - Fitswork4 to make stars smaller -
layered in with 50% opacity into Photoshop.
I first of all did a LAB mode color boost with a blurred layer mask on the galaxy.
I also did a slight change in stretching to reveal more galaxy contrast.
I used blurred layer masks also for sharpening at 2 pixels then layered in with 50% opacity.
Note: I worked on the largest version of your picture
& then reduced to the same size as the one in your original post.
They were all only minor changes but it made a big difference in the end.
I would need to take more time with the larger version as the smaller
version hides sharpening artifacts etc.

See here for good tips:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ5b6pFHBGe66vsuSaXb-0A


cheers
Allan

[strongmanmike]

Hi Geert

That's a pretty good image of NGC55. Along with its near by neighbour NGC 247 it can appear rather bland and uninspiring in many images but I always love seeing the spread of little HII regions along this baby if you can bring them out :thumbsup:

Mike

[rustigsmed]

Very nice geert a great rendition.

Cheers
Russ

[gvanhau]

Fortunately this where only minor changes :lol:
I have CS5, but only know the basics. Until now I meanly process my images with PI.

Geert

[gvanhau]

Thanks Mike. I'm still in the learning curve...
Geert

[gvanhau]

Thanks Russ