M8 The Lagoon Nebula

[cometcatcher]

Processing data from a few days ago...

Deforked Meade LX90 ACF 8" F10 SCT, HEQ5 Pro, 320 x 60 seconds guided with PHD2, Canon 1100Dfs.

Bigger a Astrobin ---> https://astrob.in/361542/B/

Still playing with the Meade 8" F10 SCT. Shows nice detail in the brighter areas.


From Wiki "M8 The Lagoon Nebula is estimated to be between 4,000-6,000 light-years from the Earth. In the sky of Earth, it spans 90' by 40', which translates to an actual dimension of 110 by 50 light years. The nebula contains a number of Bok globules (dark, collapsing clouds of protostellar material), the most prominent of which have been catalogued by E. E. Barnard as B88, B89 and B296. It also includes a funnel-like or tornado-like structure caused by a hot O-type star that emanates ultraviolet light, heating and ionizing gases on the surface of the nebula."

[multiweb]

Very nice close up with great colours and contrast. :thumbsup:

[RickS]

What he said!

[Placidus]

The processing is not exactly subtle, and it could be deeper, but the detail in the hourglass is astounding, almost planetary-imager sharpness. Well done.

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Mark and Rick! M8 can vary quite a bit in colour. I was aiming for a balance of OIII and Ha, not too much of each, which I think I got closer to.



Thanks M&T! I don't process in a subtle manner. I like to hit it with a hammer. ;) Just the way I do things I suppose. F10 doesn't go deep with a DSLR, but that will change very soon. Dedicated astro cam is next. Just have to decide which one.

[gregbradley]

A great image Kevin. I love the colours.

Greg.

[rcheshire]

Getting to the heart of the object. Great detail.

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Greg.



Thanks Rowland. It did need a bit of work to subdue the bright core and reveal the fainter outer areas. This object has a very wide range of levels, a bit like the Orion nebula.

[AstroBogan]

Stunning colours Kevin!

[strongmanmike]

Hmmm?..different :question:.. but interesting :thumbsup:

Mike

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Jacob.



Thanks Mike. Different what way? Colour mix or .....?

[strongmanmike]

I guess the colour tones..and processing textures? The colours are kinda bubblegum or ice cream like (if that makes sense?) and it has the look of a modern art brush painting :question:...but has an attractive quality none the less :thumbsup:

Mike

[cometcatcher]

I think so. The latest photos from Juno make Jupiter look like a painting. Artistic processing license I guess?

I can tone it down to be less dramatic, but a lot of the OIII is subdued then too. I guess I have to find my style, which may end up to be a bit funky.

[Atmos]

I like it!
Very detailed way down into the hourglass Nebula :thumbsup:

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Colin. Here's a revision with a slightly toned down blue channel.

https://astrob.in/361542/B/

[alpal]

That's a top image Kevin,
especially since it was done using a DSLR.
I like both versions.


cheers
Allan

[willik]

The second version looks best to me great image.
Martin

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Allan. I won't be DSLR for too much longer now. I need something cooled so getting an astro cam.

[strongmanmike]

Of course, totally agree, just giving feedback through my eyes, still a valid processing approach :thumbsup:

Mike

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Martin. I kinda like them both but the second one is a bit less funky I think. ;)