Gum 15

[codemonkey]

Seems this has been posted a few times before on IIS, but to be honest I didn't remember seeing it when I started imaging it. I have to say it's not among my favourite nebulae so that's probably why it didn't make a lasting impression.

This is a mere 6.6hrs of HaLRGB data I captured in between other targets. It's reasonably dim and probably needs a lot more data to do it justice, but I got carried away processing what data I have and now I'm not sure I can be bothered adding to it.

Big one here (https://www.astrobin.com/full/a1io7x/0/)

[multiweb]

:eyepop: That's really nice. Love the colors. Very smooth processing too. One for the cool wall. :thumbsup:

[casstony]

The red parts of the nebula are ok by themselves, but getting the wispy OIII parts to show up makes it a fantastic image - something for us lesser imagers to aim for, though I'm not sure it's possible with a DSLR from in town?

[Camelopardalis]

Lovely shot Lee :thumbsup:

Gum 15 is one of my favourites.

[peter_4059]

Another keeper Lee! I really like the way you've processed it - doesn't look overcooked and the star colours and diffraction spikes add to the scene.

Judging by your imaging productivity, the weather at Kilcoy must be a lot better than here in Brisbane!

[gregbradley]

This image surprised me. Your writeup made it seem it may not be so good but its really an impressive image.

I like the bluish areas you picked up and the stars look fantastic.

The dust streams add a nice contrast as well.

Greg.

[Geoff45]

Really nice image Lee. It’s not an easy one to process. I really like the intricate dark structure in the bottom right bit of the neb

[Andy01]

:thumbsup: Lee, it’s a subtle image of a gentle target- and it’s beautiful for those reasons alone as well as your considerable skills in presenting it as such. Well done- and it’s not another Eta C, so please keep on inspiring us all! :thumbsup: :D

[codemonkey]

Thanks Marc! :)



Thanks Tony :) Hmm, this might be a tough target with a dSLR and even more so from light polluted skies... it's pretty dim. I'd expect a dSLR to have a harder time with the reds than the blues given the blues would be entirely within the normal spectrum of a dSLR's filters though :shrug:



Thanks Dunk :-) Still not one of mine haha



Thanks Peter :-) Yeah we've had a pretty good run of clear skies up here. I've also got 18hrs 40mins of data on another target in the past few nights. The forecast was clear for tonight as well, but it just changed saying that it's going to be fully clouded out within an hour... right now it's totally clear and the observatory is open... might have to go pack up soon but I'm hoping it's going to stay clear.



Thanks Greg, that's very kind. I'm reasonably happy with my processing, but I just don't think much of this target :shrug:



Thanks Geoff! You would know, yours is one of few other images I've seen of this target and probably the best I've seen. And yep, I agree that the dark structure is probably the most compelling part of this nebula.



Thanks very much Andy, appreciate it. haha I have to say I am tempted to do a Eta C as well... if I wasn't so focused on NGC 3923 I might just be contributing my own Eta ;-)

[Peter Ward]

There is so much to like about this image...my only quibble is the diffraction spikes dominate a otherwise beautifully rendered vista.

Not sure how you fix that :question:

But as I said, a seriously good image...focus, tracking, framing, light, shade, colour, noise, all totally nailed.

Well done :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Placidus]

Superb!

Dim recollection of having done it way back when, but just in Ha, and with a 9 inch scope and a DSLR.

It should be called it the "Gum tree" nebula, not just for Colin Gum, but for the blackened stump of a gum tree that you can see so beautifully in your image.

[codemonkey]

Start again with a different telescope design :lol:

I wasn't really intending to do a "real process" when I started, otherwise I would have attempted to reduce stars sizes somewhat as I often do... I might come back to it but I'm happy enough with it for now

Thanks Peter



Thanks M&T :)

Oh wow, I can't imagine trying to shoot this in Ha with a dSLR.

[topheart]

Beautiful!
Well done!

Cheers,
Tim

[marc4darkskies]

WOW Lee - that's an awesome image! Beautiful colour and saturation and lovely, nuanced tones. Dunno why your spikes are so big but they don't spoil it for me.

[codemonkey]

Thanks Tim!



Thanks Marc! :)

Spikes are probably big because of the physical properties of my spider and processing. I made no effort to control star sizes when processing this image and it's a very dim nebula with some very bright stars.