Globular Cluster Fan - 47 Tucanae

[Startrek]

I really enjoy viewing and imaging globular clusters all year round. They are probably the least photographed DSO by amateurs but there’s something about them that makes them unique and exiting to view and image
IMO. They also make a great target for beginners.

40 x subs @50sec
15 x darks
No flats
ISO800
Canon 600D
6” f6 newt on HEQ5 mount
PHD2 guiding around 1.6 to 1.8 arc sec error
Captured by BYEOS
Stacked in DSS
Processed in Startools
Develop to 85% before and after a heavy wipe
Increased deconvolution
Sharpening before and after final noise reduction to 300%
Colour using star masks ( Artistic detail aware )
Magic using star masks
Star filter

Just timed the capture right to clear my roof line and a whopping big tree in the way

Cheers

[Imme]

Hi Martin, looks good but I think there is plenty more signal in there that you are clipping out. Background (space) looks very black!

Maybe try stretching the data a little more and I think you'll be surprised at what comes out

[Startrek]

Thanks Jon
Yes I am conservative with my processing and I am fan of deep black backgrounds ( that’s what the vacuum of space is isn’t it , the blackest of Black )
I don’t stretch the image to far that’s why I use a manual develop in lieu of an auto develop
I use Decon , wavelet sharpening and a couple of other modules to brighten, expand and tighten the stars plus the “reveal core” process in HDR to tidy up the core to tone it down and make it uniform across the area ( sort of )

I didn’t want it looking like a nuclear explosion ( too busy )

That’s just my taste

Thanks for taking the time to comment

Cheers

[xelasnave]

Look good to me.
alex

[multiweb]

You'd be surprised how hard it is to find a background completely black actually. Your camera can pick very faint stuff so if you make your background black you'll clip your data. Check your histogram when stretching your image and try not to clip either ends and you'll get the full dynamic range in your pic.

[raymo]

It's not quite as important for globs or open star clusters to have a lighter sky background, but it is pretty much essential when imaging nebulae, otherwise a significant amount of the fainter nebulosity and visible dust is lost, as
mentioned by Jon and multiweb. You can, of course, make the background too light,
and that can cause an image to lose its impact and look washed out.
raymo

[Imme]

Guess it is like Martin says though hey....he’s the photographer and he prefers the black as charcoal sky.....just not my preference

[multiweb]

Regardless of preferences clipped data is just missing data. If you white and black clip your data your stars start looking like sequin. Clusters, nebulae, galaxies, doesn't matter what the data is. You still can set your black point correctly and have good stellar profiles.

[Imme]

Don't get me wrong Marc....totally agree with what you're saying.

.....but if the preference is for a totally black background then that translates to a preference for less data in the shot.
Guess it's the same as people who buy a car and put crappy tyres on it when replacing the original ones. It's not as 'good' but it will still drive

[multiweb]

In this case then that'd be driving with flat tyres ;) Look I'm only giving processing advices and explaining what happens when you clip data. Just sayin' :) Of course anyone can process as they wish.

[Startrek]

All comments welcome
All criticism welcome
All encouragement welcome

At the end of the day it’s all a learning process for this old newbie !!

Cheers

[multiweb]

We're always learning new things every day. That's why there's never a dull moment with this hobby. The day you think you have it all figured out something else comes up. :lol: