M20 - Trifid Nebulae

[Fernando]

Dear all,

For your comments ans suggestions, regards, Fernando

Camera: ZWO071MC Pro, at -5C
Scope: SW Esprit 120 ED
Mount: Mach 1
100 x 3 minutes lights + Darks + Flat Darks
Processed in PixInsight
Bortle 4 - 5

[Robert_T]

nice work Fernando. I didn't realise how much nebulosity surround the triffid here... I need to get some more integration time to bring it up :-)

Are you using any kind of filter here?

[PKay]

Hi Fernando.

A fair outcome but I think you can do a lot better with that data.

Try extracting luminance, and then using it as a mask.

Then play with curves transform dealing with the the background separately.

Have fun!

[Fernando]

Thanks Robert and Peter. I forgot to list the L-enhancer filter. It highlights the red color, making the photos somewhat reddish and due to this I have had some difficulty in processing the images. As soon as the clouds and rain give a break I am planning to image some nebulae without the filter. As Peter suggested, I am also planning to get the background a little bit darker. I will see how it goes.

Regards, Fernando

[Robert_T]

makes sense. i suspect that filter (I use it too) is holding back the reflection nebular portion as well.

[Robert_T]

this sounds like something I need to try. Don't suppose Peter you have a link to any tutorial or other info on luminance extraction/masking? I tend to use more blunt instruments like lasso or colour based selections in PS.

[xelasnave]

Great image.
Alex

[Fernando]

Thanks Alex!