Are we 'over' the lagoon yet this year?

[alocky]

If so - apologies for another. The weather here has been quite uncooperative, so I've spent some time reprocessing a full suite of data I got on the Lagoon last week. The LRGB is only a few hours worth - about 50 minutes worth of 5 minute subs for each channel. I also got some narrowband and had a play with 2 hours worth of 10 minute H-alpha subs using Pixinsight's HAR_RVB_AIP script. I used unsharp masking rather than decon on the Ha, and then did a bit of fiddling using PS to get the colours how I liked them. I also used some of the Topaz tools to bring out the structures around the hourglass region, although probably very disrespectful of the light, I love seeing all that structure in the HII.
Scope was my trusty old 10"f4.5 with a Baader Rowe corrector, a QSI683wsg all on the ASA DDM85.
Link to astrobin version here:
http://www.astrobin.com/259888/
I'd appreciate constructive criticism!
cheers,
Andrew.

[multiweb]

M8 is like the Chuck Norris of DSOs. It never sets. Very nice pic. :thumbsup:

[Placidus]

A lot of data, producing a solid image, with all our favourite features shown very clearly. Nice colour in nebulosity and stars too. :thumbsup: Perhaps a tad over-sharpened.

[gregbradley]

Looking good Andrew. When I clicked on the larger version it seemed to bog down. Great colour.

Agree it looks a little oversharpened but very detailed.

Greg.

[alocky]

Ha ha - there has to be a great Chuck Norris joke there somewhere!


I really appreciate the feedback Mike and Trish - I used an unsharp mask on the Ha only, and the blue halos only appeared after the pixinsight combine. I think the hard edged stars might also be a consequence of the very different star sizes in the broad and narrowband filter data. Still - an excuse to get back in there and fiddle!



Thanks Greg - I have to agree, initially you get such a 'wow' effect from some of these processes you get a little seduced by the effect. I'll definitely revisit these data!

Cheers,
Andrew.

[strongmanmike]

I agree, done this myself on occasion :)

Otherwise, the contrast is quite wowy and the colours look good.

Mike

[Atmos]

Looks like some very nice data Andrew. A bit over processed for my personal preference but it certainly has a "wow" factor :)

[Stonius]

Wow. An amazing amount of detail captured there! I do agree that it feels a little 'processed' but you wouldn't need to back it off much to bring it back and retain all that amazing detail, particularly that incredible puffy clouds in the 'deepest' part of the lagoon that most people blow out.

Very Nice indeed! Looking forward to the final shot!

Markus

[RickS]

With an old favourite like the Lagoon I think you're well within your rights to go a little overboard for some differentiation, Andrew. I think it's great :thumbsup:

[alocky]

Thanks Mike! I guess it's hard to know what too much looks like until you've gone there.


Cheers Colin - I suspect there's a trade off between natural looking and pulling out all the structure in the nebulosity.


Thanks Markus - I'll definitely have another go.



Thanks Rick - I like your way of thinking!
Cheers
Andrew