Helix Nebula - First try

[Fernando]

Dear all,

Had a difficult time processing the Helix. It was not an easy DSO to process, at least for me. A search on the internet (Astrobin and others) indicates to me that there are many different ways to process the Helix colors.

ZWO 071 MC Pro, -5C
L-Enhancer filter
SW Esprit 120 ED
Mount: Mach 1
80 lights, 3 minutes + Flats + Bias + Darks

Regards, Fernando

[LostInSp_ce]

Looking good Fernando some nice details showing up in the eye. I see that you're still getting a bit of pattern noise in your background but not as much as your last image which is good to see. :thumbsup:

[jahnpahwa]

Really nice, Fernando :) I like the palette you have there :thumbsup:

[Saturn488]

Looks fantastic.

This is my main imaging target now as well.

[Jackstar]

That's looking good Fernando. There are many different results shown with the helix.
you have managed to capture and reveal a lot of that extra detail that i will be hoping to get once i receive my L-eXtreme filter.
well done.


jack

[ChrisV]

Nicely processed Fernando.
This is a hard object to capture and process, so I reckon you're ahead. I don't know what the halos are around some of your stars - if that's what you are asking about. Processing or from the filter ?

[Fernando]

Thamk you all for your comments. Chris, the star halos around some stars may be both, the filter or processing. Maybe more processing related.

[Nikolas]

Did well Fernando, just to let you know there is a slight magenta cast in your image as seen in the stars. You can also selectively mask the inner core of the "eye" and bring out its colours more. Overall thought you did well

[Nikolas]

hope you don't mind, I've tweaked your image from this page, so imagine what can still be done with the data on your original image, as your processing skills develop you will get even better images.
this was done on photoshop, selective masking and layering to bring out the inner core and enhance the contrast of the different parts f the eye, all subjective for sure but it's a more aesthetic result. your capturing is perfect.

[Fernando]

Thanks Nik. Looks really good. Like it very much. I am planning to do some more work with the image; it helped a lot, regards, Fernando

[Anth10]

Fernando,
A very fine result for a most difficult DSO target, you have captured the inner eye extraordinarily well and the outer shell is always a challenge to bring out and you’ve managed that too.
Processing is always the icing on the cake and more time will further improve your result. The data is certainly all there and that’s the main thing.
Excellent work.

Anth

[Robert_T]

excellent detail in the main nebula and with the eyebrow very obvious. great work

[Fernando]

Thanks Anthony and Robert. It is a challenging DSO. I am planning playing with a process in Pixinsight called GAME that I was introduced recently. As far as I understand it is possible to generate, manually, a mask that will isolate the inner eye and I may play with color and sharpnnes on it. And see if gets any better. I am happy with the image as it is, but improving is always possible:). Regards, Fernando

[Sunfish]

Looks pretty good to me.

[raymo]

Should be exiled to the main forum.
raymo

[Fernando]

Thanks, Ray

[Fernando]

:thumbsup::lol:

Thanks, Raymo

[Startrek]

Fernando
That’s an excellent Helix
Not an easy target
Well done !!
Martin

[Fernando]

Thanks Martin!