NGC 253 Sculptor Galaxy

[pt1280]

NGC 253 Sculptor Galaxy

My first proper image using my new setup:
- Saxon 200mm F5 Newtonian
- Skywatcher Quattro Coma corrector
- iOptron GEM45
- Touptek ATR3 2600KPA (IMX571, apsc)
Processed using PixInsight and Photoshop

RGB+Ha, 6.5 hours total integration, with Ha isolated and blended into the original RED channel
- RGB 1.1 hours (QLD Astrofest 2022 at camp Duckadang, Bortle 2)
- Ha 5.4 hours (Calamvale, bortle 7)

[Doogs38]

Gosh that's a stunningly beautiful image, Markus. I'm an newbie so can't comment on the technical aspects but must say that I've just spent 5 mins staring at your image and all it's magnificent detail. Well done!

[pt1280]

Thank you for your recognition Alex! I'm glad you like it!

[Dave882]

An absolutely stunning image! Nothing beginnerish about this image. I’m amazed that you’ve only got 1hr rgb in that!! Very well processed and the Ha blending is very well done too. Your other images on your previous post deserve credit too. Great stuff!!

[pt1280]

Thank you David! I am still merely a beginner, just with slightly more cross-field experience in data processing and image post processing. I was also shocked when a 1hr RGB came out this well as I was planning to do 6-8hrs in two nights, but limited by the weather... Cheers!!

[xelasnave]

Wow...you nailed it. Excellent result.
Alex

[pt1280]

Thank you Alex! Enjoy the clear skies!

[Startrek]

Beautiful image of the Sculptor
Well done !!
Being solely an imager using Newts , only one observation if I may , the diffraction spikes on the larger stars seem completely intersect the cores of the stars which is unusual for an f5 Newt and make them look a bit odd. It maybe a processing thing in PI ??

Other than that a fabulous image !!

Martin

[pt1280]

Thank you Martin!

A very good find indeed! I believe when things are wrong in an image processed using something as advanced as pixinsight, most of the time it'll always be the user didn't use that tool correctly!

I presume it is the combination of several factors: bad star masks generated for larger stars with flairs, caused by my factory default focuser protruding and blocking the primary very slightly; some wavelet sharpening artifacts with star mask that doesn't cover diffraction spikes; as well as some minor star reduction that made it look more obvious. I'm looking forward to either sawing off my current focuser tube by a dozen mm or just replacing it.

[Gastraea]

phenomenal! :eyepop:

[Retrograde]

Great work! :thumbsup:

[multiweb]

+1 Superb image. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
To the poolroom.

[Stephane]

This is sensational. Definitely not a beginner image. You got some incredible detail and colours given your short exposure at f/5. The diffraction spikes are perfect too which is something I haven’t yet managed to achieve with my f/5 Newtonian. Have you kept the original spider vane? Do you do anything in particular in Pixinsight to process them so well?

As Mark said, to the poolroom with this one. Wow. Again, well done. I’ll have to try combining Ha with my galaxies. It gives it some real punch.

Stéphane

[AstroViking]

Yowsers... That is a magnificent image. Well done, and I can't wait to see what your next image is.

Cheers,
V

[carlstronomy]

Cracker of an image mate. Great detail in the image and the colours are very nice and balanced. You should be very happy with that one :thumbsup:

[pt1280]

Thank you John, Pete, Marc, Steve and Carl!! Thank you all for the encouragement!! I do quite like the image and hope the next one gets better!

[pt1280]

Thanks Stephane! For the spider, I've got a CNC machined solid spider vane with those non-reflective cloth wrapped around it, which gives much shorter, sharper and colourful diffraction spikes. I've also got a primary mask that shields a bit of the aperture but covers those three hook-like primary mirror locks, which reduces the flair around the stars, now I just need to saw off a bit of my focuser tube that protrudes in to give it the perfect stars. All of those parts are made by a hobbyist friend overseas. They seem to make the scope work like a charm.

If you are interested in blending Ha in your galaxy image, check this fabulous tutorial out: http://www.arciereceleste.it/tutorial-pixinsight/cat-tutorial-eng/85-enhance-galaxy-ha-eng

Kind regards, Markus:thanx: