M8: a toe in the (lagoon) water

[kosborn]

Hi all,

I've only been doing AP since February so I'm very much a novice. I've posted a couple of images in the beginner's forum but thought I'd dip my toe in the water by posting here. No better place to dip my toe than M8.

The LRGB image has red channel enhanced with Ha and the blue channel enhanced with OIII. The other image is plain old SHO with a synthetic lum channel.

This was
L 46x 120s
R 14x 120s
G 24x 120s
B 20x 120s
Ha 16x 180s
Ha 12x 300s
OIII 28x 300s
SII 22x 300s

PixInsight is a steep learning curve and I wasn't happy with the core which was a bit blown out. Also star masking in the nebula on the SHO image wasn't best. I was happy with star colour in the LRGB image though.

Suggestions most welcome.

Kevin

[spiezzy]

looks pretty darn good to me I would be very proud of those images especially since you have only been doing it since Feb I take my hat off to you sir well done cheers Pete

[Atmos]

They are pretty darn good!

[Placidus]

We'd be very proud of that SHO image. Bravo!

Next step is to find somewhere (like AstroBin or SmugMug) to park high resolution versions, so you can post a link to them.

What scope and camera?

Best,
Mike and Trish

[topheart]

Hi Kevin,
Very very good work!!
You belong here with us!! This is a great group to hang out with!!

We all learn so much from each other here.

I agree it would be great to hear ab it about your gear and where you are and how you image and for you to have a place where higher res data can be viewed.

Welcome!!
Cheers,
Tim

[kosborn]

Thank you all for the welcome and encouragement.

High res versions are at https://www.astrobin.com/full/353113/0/?real=&mod= and https://www.astrobin.com/full/353116/0/?nc=kosborn&real=&mod= (pay no attention to the nasty magenta rings around the central stars in the SHO version).

I have a Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED. Initially I thought I wanted something a longer focal length reflector/Schmidt something but after research decided to go with a shorter refractor. Am very glad I did, it's a great OTA. I have an EQ6-R Pro which is probably more than needed for the Esprit but will be good if/when I go for longer focal length. Imaging is a ASI1600mm-Pro with LRGBHaOiiiSii ZWO filters.

Kevin

[strongmanmike]

Both lovely results Kevin, the enhancements of the LRGB have worked nicely, great job. When framed like this I call it the Homer Simpson nebula :P...can you see him?

Mike

[kosborn]

Thanks Mike.


I saw the face during processing but didn't recognise it as Homer. Unfortunately all I can see is the face now. It's very distracting!


Kevin

[Ryderscope]

Very nice work Kevin and a great rendition of this fine object :thumbsup:

[multiweb]

That's truly excellent data capture. Well done. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[kosborn]

Thanks Rodney and Marc for your comments.


Kevin

[cometcatcher]

You can't put images like this in the beginners forum! They are extremely nice. I think the sky is not your limit with your setup. Keep em coming!

[kosborn]

Thanks Kevin. A nice complement!



Kevin