M20 Trifid Nebula - Quick, late edition...

[lazjen]

...with dust donuts at no extra cost! :)

I've been acquiring some new gear over the last couple of months, and the other night I got to try some of it out. This image is the result of the first successful test run after sorting out various problems.

Gear:
G11
RC10 with 0.67 FR.
ZWO ASI1600MM-C
Xagyl 8 position motorised filter wheel

Images (taken at "Unity" gain/offset setting):
Bias: 50
Darks: 60
L: 15x60s
R: 12x60s
G: 12x60s
B: 12x60s

Processing:
PixInsight - just the basics. Although I did have to crop as I have some vignetting to look into, plus the corners don't appear to be flat.

205107

Another view, not jpg'd: https://flic.kr/p/LQjbuA

Things I already know I need to do: Flat images; look into the vignetting; check the spacing with the reducer; take more subs per channel; experiment with the camera settings; determine ideal LRGB exposure times from the backyard.

Any comments, constructive feedback, etc welcome.

[DJScotty]

Wow that's really nice Chris.
Love the colours and diffraction spikes.
Looks like unity is the way to go with RGB.

Nice work

[RickS]

Very nice looking image, Chris, especially for a first light and short integration time.

Cheers,
Rick.

[lazjen]

Thanks Scotty. Diffraction spikes come free with the scope. ;)

I think the settings (for RGB) are going to be dependent on a number of factors, so one size may not fit all. However, for now, I think I'll stick with Unity (unless better information comes to hand, of course) and vary other things instead.



Thanks Rick. I was concerned when I was capturing the data whether it would be enough for a good test, especially as M20 was getting low in the west.

[Atmos]

Still has a fair bit of noise but it very nicely resolved! Although it is getting pretty late in the season, with a but more data you'll have a cracking image :)

[lazjen]

That's true, but given the defects in place with no flats, I might as well do it from scratch next time (with flats!). Maybe even put in 2 - 3 hours next time. :) ...which it will need to help defeat the noise anyway.

I'm still a bit surprised at how well this image turned out. The conditions were not great - getting low in the sky and the wind was gusty at times. It has set a high-ish bar for me to beat when I *actually* have everything going right. :)