Ngc 55

[DiscoDuck]

About 4.5 hours of data on NGC 55 (14 x 20 minute subs with a QHY8 and RC8). Full res available on
Astrobin (http://www.astrobin.com/full/269740/0/).

Was lucky to get the bottom end of the galaxy in shot!! A bit of a stuff up with Stellarium as to exactly where I was pointing, and also not appreciating how long this galaxy is! :)

Comments/tips welcome. Thanks for looking.

Paul

[Atmos]

JUST made it all in :thumbsup: Looks good Paul, not sure if the data allows but a bit more contrast will make the dusty regions pop a little more :)

[DiscoDuck]

Thanks Colin. I've given it a go - but instead used an hdrmultiscale transform in PixInsight and merged it with the original (on Astrobin (http://www.astrobin.com/full/269740/B/)). I think it improves it?? Thanks again.
Paul

[alpal]

Hi Paul,
fantastic detail.
The only thing I don't like is the red blotchy-ness in the background.
It's possible to process that out.

cheers
Allan

[Atmos]

That is nicer Paul :) I use the same technique for the most part, I end up with maybe 4-5 different contrast enhancements and then combine them all with the original.

[Placidus]

That's very sharp Paul. Shows the structure in the galaxy nicely.

[RickS]

Some nice detail in the galaxy, Paul. Well done!

[DiscoDuck]

Thanks all.



Allan: it'd be good to know what tips you have for such processing please. I couldn't see too much blotchiness myself, but it may depend on monitor setup, etc. Either PixInsight or Photoshop tips are ok to use.
Thanks.

[alpal]

Hi Paul,
I had a quick go.
You need to split the channels into RGB.
R & B needed 10% noise added.
G needed 5% noise added.
Merge channels.
Reduce noise.
Reduce the intensity on the dark part of curves.
Copy the original back in & mask it so the central galaxy with all the detail remains unchanged.
Then do some more masking & feathering for the edges of the galaxy.
However - you really need to do it further back in the processing.
Some of the blotchiness could be caused by stacking & not allowing for the Bayer Matrix in your colour camera.
You would need to experiment there with stacking.

see my quick go here.
Do you think the background looks better?

[DiscoDuck]

Thanks for the tips Allan. Very useful. Much appreciated.
Paul

[alpal]

Thanks Paul,
I hope you have another go at processing your image.
There's a lot of data so it would be worthwhile.
I like to help others while I'm waiting to set up all my equipment.
I've been at a new address for 6 months & haven't had the time to take any pics yet.
I think there's enough room for an observatory & there are no high trees.
It's also has a little bit darker skies than my previous location.

cheers
Allan

see here:

[Shiraz]

Great work Paul - very "dynamic" looking and nicely detailed

[DiscoDuck]

Thank you Ray