NGC 1291 - possibly a slight improvement

[Stevec35]

Here's a reworked version of NGC 1291. It was going to have about 5-6 hours of Ha in it but I discovered that it made no difference so I left it out. I also enhanced the central dust lanes using the Pixinsight process LHE (thanks Geoff) and did a few other things as well. I think the end result is an improvement but only a slight one.

Cheers

Steve

http://members.pcug.org.au/~stevec/ngc1291_STXL6303_RC14.htm

[strongmanmike]

To me it looks just a little too magenta biased now Steve..although, coming from a bloke with a penchant for blue (and magenta), what would I know..? :lol: and this is likely hiding the blue in the outer ring/s...having said that, you have pickup several pink HII regions there nicely :thumbsup:

Mike

[RickS]

That's brought out more structure, Steve. Definitely a nice improvement.

[Stevec35]

Thanks Rick



Thanks Mike. I've tweaked it a bit so hopefully it's okay now.

[Atmos]

The central dust lanes do look a bit more defined now which is nice. Well done.

With LHE I usually mask the background and make several versions which I blend together. A HDR and three LHEs (16, 64, 256).
I then mask the stars and blend them together with the original. The 16 kinda works to sharpen up features where as the 64 and 256 increase contrast.

[multiweb]

That's a pretty galaxy. Very nice shot. :thumbsup:

[Stevec35]

Thanks Marc



Being a total Pixinsight newbie (in most things). I didn't do any of that. Maybe I'll do some more playing.

[Geoff45]

It's a great program once you get into it.

[RobF]

I definitely prefer this version. Very nice work too BTW :) :thumbsup:

[Stevec35]

Thanks Rob



That's my trouble - investing the time to really get into it but I'm slowly getting there.

[alpal]

Hi Steve,
well done -
I can't find a better picture.
I looked here:
http://cseligman.com/text/atlas/ngc12a.htm#1291

& on google images & none seem to show
any detail in the core - whereas yours does.

cheers
Allan

[Placidus]

Good before, very special now. You've captured the unusual morphology very well. The repro makes the general field stars look better too.

[Stevec35]

Thanks M&T. Reasonably happy with it now.



Thanks Allan - you are very kind. Actually the best image of it that I've seen is the CHART32 version:

http://www.chart32.de/index.php/galaxies-m

Of course they have a few advantages (60cm telescope on a mountain top in Chile)

[Placidus]

Thanks for a superb link. There goes Mike's hobby, though. :sad: Luckily, he's still interested in sculpting and pretending to be a gentleman farmer.

[marc4darkskies]

A nice improvement Steve! Excellent image!

[alpal]

Hi Steve,
You're right - & I normally look there.
Also - it's an 80cm or 31.5 inch mirror with sub arc second seeing
& over 17 hours of integration.
No one in Australia can compete with that.

cheers
Allan

[Stevec35]

Yes - Chart32 is something to aspire to but no one comes close



Thanks Marcus

[Fabiomax]

Wow, it seems to be in it!
Cheers,
Fabiomax

[Stevec35]

Not quite sure what your comment means but thanks anyway Fabio.

[Shiraz]

wow - really impressive image Steve.

[Stevec35]

Thanks Ray