First attempt at Dolphin head Nebula Edit: added a second image

[Nikolas]

Taken over 2 nights 8 hours in total 300 and 600 second images
Optolong L-extreme
ZWO Asi 294mc Pro
ASIAIR Pro for acquisition
TSoptics 130 APo and 0.75 riccardi reducer
The image from the sensor, especially Ha showed that dreaded sensor pattern that the 294mc pro is infamous for however the O3 was very clean. Combined rgb in astropixel processor then the rest in Photoshop. Gradient exterminator did a great job cleaning up the background.

I'll work on this further as soon as I set up my other machine which allows me to do better processing.
I have added a second image which I added more Ha not sure yet..

[floyd_2]

What a superb image Nik. This is one of my favourite objects and you've really captured it well.

[AdamJL]

Wonderful. I’ve just tried shooting 5min subs in dark skies (no filter) and got nothing. This is a hard target and you’ve nailed it!

[Wilsil]

Great image, well done.
It is a hard target.

[JA]

Lovely detailed image with nice star colour.
Good one Nik :thumbsup:

Nest
JA

[RyanJones]

By far one of my favorite targets Nik. I’d love to give it a crack but I’m not sure how I’d go in Bortle 8 skies. A lovely rendition, well done.

[Nikolas]

Thanks everyone, Ryan I took this from my backyard in Glen Iris, bortle 7 I reckon you can do it but you defo need narrowband or duo band filters depending on the camera. It is a very difficult target for sure

[pkinchington]

Nice!

[Startrek]

Nik,
Superb image for a OSC
Great detail , resolution , contrast and colour
Obviously hours and hours of quality data helps
Never attempted this object , it’s on my list
Well done indeed !!
Martin

[Addos]

great stuff! assume you did a bit of post work on udra to reduce flare/bloat?

quick question though - "dreaded sensor pattern that 294mc is infamous for"? if you see a bayer-like grid or banding it just means you didnt dither aggressively enough. i have same camera - no pattern.

[RyanJones]

Really ? Wow. I may give it a go soon then. I’m going though a bit of a phase testing some different filters at the moment. It could be a good test.

[Kuz]

Top effort as usual Nik . Nearly made me go outside and change my target which I just started on M1

[Nikolas]

Hi Adam When I use the L-Extreme and there isn't much Ha as in this image there is a pattern that only flats remove, I dither properly and follow all the protocols but this is inherent in the 294

similar to this https://bbs.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/d/11520-asi-294mc-pro-weird-red-pattern/4
I don't see it as much if the image is full on and it only appears with the L-Extreme

[Nikolas]

Thanks Everyone This is a first attempt at processing this target will be playing around more when I finally get the new computer sorted

[Luke125]

Nice going, sure is a faint one to capture

[gregbradley]

That is a superb image.
Greg

[DarkArts]

Good image. :thumbsup:

[Placidus]

Excellent.

[Andy01]

Looking good Nik!
I’m working on this target as well, such a cool
& unique object - well worth taking your time on. :thumbsup:

[Nikolas]

Sure is, even on the preview screen it was hard to discern at 300 seconds



Cheers

Cheers

Cheers

I have finally set up my astro computer and gonna give it a red hot go now
OSC vs mono I don't stand a chance but will get the best I can from it. Looking forward to your image Andy

[Stephane]

Nik, that image is hands down sensational. Well done!

[Nikolas]

thanks mate
:thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Never get sick of seeing images of this object, it's just so amazing and cosmic looking, very nice result Nik :thumbsup:

Mike

[LKD]

Terrific result, has a real 3D effect almost leaps out of the screen.

[Nikolas]

Cheers guys I've added a second more processed image, not sure yet, thoughts?

[gregbradley]

The Ha is accurate. I think its a better image.

Greg.

[gypsy]

that is inspiration right there
amazing image.

thanks for sharing

mick

[RyanJones]

Things to like about both versions Nik. The second one looks more alive and the contrast at the top of the head shows a much more define structure. I prefer the colour in the Ha of the first and the star size. Both crackers though

[Nikolas]

Cheers Ryan