Pleiades Star Cluster

[Ryderscope]

I captured the data for this object in November 2015 and recently tripped across it when reorganising the data files on my server. I must have been distracted at the time with the recent (then) acquisition of my TSA 120 so didn't get around to processing the data.

I was hoping to capture more of the nebulosity that surrounds the Pleiades which you can see in some wide field shots. There is a hint of it here but I will need more data I think to bring it out. Nevertheless, a good find for data that I had lurking about.

Acquisition comprised approximately 3.5 hours of data which includes about 14 each of RGB at 300 second subs. Captured with SGP pro and processed in Pixinsight.

I have included links below to this image on Astrobin and also, for interest, a link to my first go at this object taken with my Canon 550D in 2012. Good to see where the journey has taken my imaging these past few years.

Link to Astrobin image here. (http://astrob.in/full/280527/0/)

Link to the 2012 DSLR version here. (http://astrob.in/full/22723/0/)

Comments and critique welcome.

[Geoff45]

Ah yes! The forgotten data. Always nice to find something useful in the treasure chest.
Good one Rodney. You've captured the brownish colour of the Merope Nebula very well. I find the vast number of stars quite amazing. And all tack-sharp.
The progress is obvious. Keep it up and your next Pleiades shot will be mind-blowing.
Geoff

[Rigel003]

A massive improvement on the 2012 shot! Great job. The background star field is just as impressive as the cluster itself. Nicely handled with the star colours.

[Paul Haese]

That's a huge improvement Rodney. You captured a fair bit of nebulosity as it is but you could get more with more integration time. Nice shot.

[Placidus]

That's beautiful, Rodney. The star colours are superb. Trish, in particular a Pleiades (and Mitsubishi Outback) fan, thinks it's extra good.

Best,
Mike

[Ryderscope]

Thanks all for you kind comments. It was a good data discovery. I'm not sure why I didn't capture luminance at the time but I must have been distracted by other projects. I am keen now that this shows promise to continue working this one to see how far it can go.

[Geoff45]

Misubishi Outlander or Subaru Outback?

[Ryderscope]

That would be the Subaru Outback of course. As we know, the Pleiades cluster has had many myths and legends written around this object. The Subaru car company based their logo (see attachment) around the image of the 'seven sisters', one of whom is said to be invisible - hence the presence of only six stars on their logo.

[rcheshire]

Very nice Rodney.

[strongmanmike]

...Well...that's pretty nice huh? :eyepop: Great field and lovely colour variation in the dust, well done ol'boy, a veritable treasure chest of a find :thumbsup:

Mike

[Ryderscope]

Thanks Rowland/Mike. Was a good find and I'm looking forward to adding some more to it at some stage.

[atalas]

Very attractive Rodney.....huge difference from the DSLR image...to be expected of cause.

Well done:thumbsup:

[RickS]

Excellent work, Rodney, and congrats on the progress you've made :thumbsup:

One small suggestion: try a mild SCNR on it and see if you like the result. It looks just slightly on the green side to me.

Cheers,
Rick.

[Ryderscope]

Thanks Louie.



Thanks Rick. I applied SCNR and I agree that it improves the image by bringing out the blue a little more. I just used the default settings for the process. Revised revision on Astrobin here (http://astrob.in/full/280527/B/) and thumbnail attached.

[Ross G]

A great looking photo Rodney.

I love the colours and the wide composition.

Ross.