Isolation images of the Helix and M16

[Benjamin]

I’m a bit like David, trapped in isolation for 2 weeks, but lucky to have some clear Brisbane skies during that period. My main goal was a redo of the Helix but while waiting for it to clear trees got some data on M16. Both images used a Skywatcher f4 8” Newtonian, Skywatcher EQ6-R, ZWO ASI1600MM-Pro (Gain 200, -10°) and were processed in PixInsight (a few different coloured versions of M16 resulted).
M16: Astrodon Ha 5nm (68x180s), [OIII] 3nm (60x180s), [SII] 3nm (58x180s)
Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/full/2kd0v7/0/
Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/full/twmsls/0/

Helix: Astrodon Ha 5nm (190x180s), [OIII] 3nm (108x180s)
Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/full/3meooi/0/

[DavidTrap]

They're fantastic Ben,

Hope you're enjoying some freedom today.

I've been operating at a much lower gain (56), but might have to try bumping that up a bit further if your results are anything to go by!

DT

[Andy01]

Bold & Brave colour palette choices there Ben. :thumbsup:

Have to add though, I've not seen a Helix presented quite like that before - not altogether sure it works, but it's original! :eyepop:

[Benjamin]

Looking forward to finally getting out tonight! I shoot all my narrowband at Gain 200 (offset 50) and my badband at Gain 76 (offset 15). Seems to work well :-)



Wasn't too much of a deliberate choice (some hues might have been sightly adjusted) but think adjustments to the dynamic range of the Ha and [OIII] (HDR multiscale transform in PI) did result in some interesting/odd colours. The purpose of the HDRMT was more to get the spikes from the [OIII] and all the inner bits of the Ha, and the blend for the luminance was adjusted so that the spikey [OIII] came through a little more. I think I tried to match Lum manipulations in the colour combination to a degree as well but maybe some mismatching there has twisted things a bit.

[gregbradley]

A sensational Helix.

The Eagle is also very good.

Greg.

[Benjamin]

Thanks Greg :-)