NGC 55 String of Pearls

[Stephane]

Hi all,

Below is my first attempt at a hydrogen boost on a galaxy, namely NGC 55. Since I don't have a mono camera, I used the L-Extreme filter, and used the red channel as hydrogen. I found this method here (http://www.arciereceleste.it/tutorial-pixinsight/cat-tutorial-eng/85-enhance-galaxy-ha-eng) thanks to a Youtube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmBAwVlHLI4&t=601s). I hope to add some further integration time to this target to really draw out those faint fuzzies (especially near the bottom-left corner) and clean up the background.

Bigger version here (https://www.astrobin.com/2tn33c/).

Hope you all enjoy and, as always, clear skies.

Stéphane

[AstroViking]

I was trying to image that same galaxy last night. +grin+ I had hoped for more clear skies tonight to get more data, but alas, it is not to be.

Your image looks great - there is so much colour happening in the "blobs" of stars, and plenty of detail in the gas & dust clouds. Love it.

[Addos]

very nice shot! great colours, lots of resolution, love it!

[Startrek]

Stephane,
An excellent image with some really nice detail and colour
Very clever techniques using an L Extreme on a broadband target especially a Galaxy ( I think yours is a first on this forum) I’ve tried and failed
Your OSC imaging is getting really good , time to progress to Mono sometime in 2023
Well done !!

Martin

[Dave882]

Mate what a stunning image. Colour and detail is spectacular!! And your techniques for combining the l-extreme data looks to have worked very well indeed. As an all-round image, it’s beautifully balanced and the starfield is lovely too. Great job!!

[Crater101]

That's a nice bit of work indeed. My compliments! I hope one day to be able to emulate something like that. :2thumbs:

[Stephane]

Wow, thanks guys for the kind comments. I'm happy the L-Extreme hydrogen boost worked on this image. It certainly adds a little something.

Steve, I've had a lot of fun imaging this target. I sometimes only got an hour or two before the clouds came in. Live stacking and watching the fuzzies slowly appear was great fun.

Adam, thank you. Your recent Sculptor galaxy is very tempting for a next target. Decisions, decisions!

Martin, going mono in 2023 with either the ASI2600mm or QHY268m and why not some 3nm filters would be fantastic. I'm giving it some serious thought, but will take my time with comparing the cameras, reviews, research on image acquisition, etc. As always, thanks for the encouragement.

Dave, thank you. I always appreciate your comments. Just doing my best to learn for yours and others' images.

Warren, I have no doubt that with patience, persistence, and passion, you will emulate this, and achieve much more!

[markas]

Splendid image:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Mark

[Stephane]

Thanks Mark.

[Astroman87]

Wow wow wow :rofl good one day I hope to get there too !!!