M8 Lagoon under the Moon

[Startrek]

Took some recent advice in regards to integration time and captured M8 over a couple of nights under Sydney’s LP and a 50 to 70% waxing Moon. Used my little 6” newt again.

Bortle 7/8
6” f6 Bintel GSO Newt
Skywatcher EQ6-R pro mount
ZWOASI2600MC cooled to -10C , Gain 100 LRN
Optolong L Extreme filter
TS GPU coma corrector

125 x 3 min dithered guided subs
40 x Flats
60 x Bias

EQMOD, Stellarium and APT
PHD2 Multistar guiding ( 0.55 to 0.65 arc sec total )
Stacked in DSS
Processed in Startools V1.7 Compose OSC Bi Colour NB

SHO matrix versions
Synthetic Luminance version

Final noise reduction was only 4 pixels which was really nice to see considering LP and Moon. Hours and hours of good data certainly does the trick

Comments welcome
Thanks

[RyanJones]

Hi Martin,

Certainly a difference there. I looked up your most recent previous M8 and downloaded them both side by side for comparison. I didn’t realise how many times you’ve done it. Certainly is a goto object for you. If you still have last years data you should try combining it all and see what happens ?

[Dave882]

Nice job Martin. Really love #1 & #3 and you’ve managed to get lots of contrast in the detail which is so hard under such heavy light pollution.

You’re guiding is really spot on mate! I’ve been struggling with my guiding / balance on the eq8 the last week and been trying lots of different things to try and improve things. I wasn’t sure if it was the sky or my rig but I think you’ve proved the sky’s pretty stable…

[AdamJL]

Nice one, Martin. Integration time has definitely paid off!
Really like that first one.

[Benjamin]

Focusing on the same object and have yet to get any colour, but I’d steal yours if I could! Really like that first version too.

[Startrek]

Thanks Ryan,
My data from last year with the 6” is a 6/10 so IMO combining would not achieve any significant improvement as this current data was a 9/10 on both nights.M8 is such a bright target , I did go conservative in post processing ( Stretching, Sharpening and Decon ) so I reckon I could go a bit harder to expose more and sharpen up the fine detail. I chose the conservative way as I like the softer look and feel to the image. Just my personal choice
Cheers
Martin

[Startrek]

Thanks Dave,
Guiding a 6” newt at 900mm is a snack compared to a 14” newt at +2000mm. I take my hat to you blokes with these big scopes with super long focal lengths.
I chose Newts from 6” @ 900mm fl to 10” @ 1250mm fl so the atmosphere is a little more forgiving on my imaging

Cheers
Martin

[Startrek]

Thanks Adam

Ryan suggested I gather more data from now on and he’s right on the money

Cheers
Martin

[Startrek]

Thanks Ben
Never get tired of imaging M8 , one of my favourites , so much hidden detail to expose and a wonderfully shaped target , has a real cavernous look about it

Cheers
Martin

[strongmanmike]

A greight Meight theight meight :thumbsup: :P

Mike

[RyanJones]

Fair enough. There are diminishing gains to be had from more data but it really comes down to how little you want to fight noise whilst exposing fine detail. The more data you start with means the more aggressively selective you can be with the quality of the data you use too. It then becomes easier to image more feint objects too. Keep it up Martin. I’m looking forward to seeing what you capture with the new 10”.

[Startrek]

Thanks Mike

I think that hieroglyphics for great

Cheers
Martin

[Startrek]

Thanks Ryan
It will be 2 or 3 weeks until the EQ8R pro and 10” are commissioned in my Dome down south. Busy with some grandparent duties

Cheers
Martin

[Nikolas]

So much detail and clarity in the shot mate very nice amazing how the more acquisition the better the noise issues disappear.

[Startrek]

Thanks Nik

[multiweb]

Cool M8s Martin. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Startrek]

Thanks Marc
We’ve had some great nights in Sydney over the past 3 weeks, a bit windy but fairly stable up high
Cheers
Martin

[Shiraz]

first one gets my vote as well. Nice one.