Tarantula Nebula

[Paul Haese]

This is the completed image of the tarantula nebula. Taken over 17 nights the total integration time was 28.5 hours. It contains data in the following amounts:

SII 400 minutes
Ha 480 minutes
OIII 460 minutes
Red 100 minutes
Green 140 minutes
blue 130 minutes

This image is a combination of narrow band data and RGB data. I used the narrow band data as a mask over the RGB using lighten mode in PS6. This helped to remove most of the magenta from the stars and give the whole image a more rounded look in my opinion. I found it interesting that there are no really bright blue stars in the field of view. Most of the brighter stars are orange or red giants.

The last time I imaged this target (2009) with a long focal length scope was with the RC8 and the QSI which I have included the link here (http://paulhaese.net/tarantulaHaLRGB.html) for comparison. I always wanted to do another image of this target with both narrow band and broad band data and perhaps do it justice.

This image is a crop of about 80% of the field to give a better composition and slightly resampled down.

Click here (http://paulhaese.net/NGC2070RC.html) for larger resolution image.

[Atmos]

The resolution of your new image is brilliant, especially in the R136 region. Nicely done Paul.

[alpal]

That's looking nice Paul,
I think the dark areas have a slight magenta cast.
In Photoshop - if you go to:
image
adjustments
selective colour
blacks

& reduce the Magenta by 5% a bit I think it looks better
but it may be my monitor.

cheers
Allan

[Camknox]

Amazing work. I wish I could get a good enough alignment to be able to shoot around the SCP

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Cameron for your comments



Thanks Colin, I am quite happy with the resolution that I have been getting with they system now that I have a few other things tuned up. Persistence pays off in the end it seems.



Thanks Allan. I took a look at the back ground, I finished processing this during this morning and that was a mistake. I normally complete processing during the night when the day light influences do not prevent me from see a colour cast. I did a slight adjustment and the only really obvious spot where the background can be said to be nebulosity free is down on the left hand corner. I think that looks more in keeping with a normal space colour. Its a hard field to get a truly neutral looking back ground. You were close to the mark. I used 4% reduction in magenta to produce the results. Still not 100% happy with the white stars though. There is still some faint magenta in those stars too. Maybe some more fiddling to get it looking as it should.

[alpal]

Hi Paul,
Yes - that's looking great now - the slight magenta cast has gone.
Both our monitors are in close agreement.
( I have a 27" ViewSonic monitor )
This is the sort of picture that you could fiddle with forever
especially with all that narrow band data -
you could make it a Hubble palette too & have another unique image.
Nice work.

cheers
Allan

[Andy01]

That's looking great Paul!
Nice choice of colours and bottomless depth and detail.
Well done :thumbsup:

[Placidus]

Superb resolution and wonderful contrast, especially close in around the spider. I'm also starting to see the point of the RGB stars.

[RB]

Very nice image Paul.

:thumbsup:

[multiweb]

Pretty close up. Great colors and image scale.:thumbsup:

[Somnium]

wow, looks amazing Paul, well done

[LucasB]

Great shot Paul! I love the colour pallete. Your dedication to the hobby and to each target is admirable.:thumbsup:
Lucas

[RickS]

Great detail and nice colours. A very classy Tarantula, Paul!

[Slawomir]

Another great image Paul, combining narrowband data and RGB data has been perfectly executed, really well done :thumbsup:

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys for the comments. I appreciate you taking the time to tell me what you think.

[Shiraz]

lovely image Paul - can't really think how it could be improved.

[andyc]

That's excellent, lovely depth, almost a 3D feel to it.