M42 The RASA Delivers

[xelasnave]

This is a work in progress..I have blown out the core in this image which I fully expected and if you think its OK its not because I photoshoped something in plus the trap stars (rubber tool)..ruff so you would know...
but it looked terrible with just a big white hole..this way it makes it easier to look at the rest of the image...I see it as art and fooling the eye and so....

However the interesting thing is this was only 30 minutes made up from 120 second subs...I know not my usual 30 seconds but the seeing now allows longer subs..I am stacking heaps of 5 second and 10 second subs to combine with this image so hopefully later I can produce a decent complete image.

It is all practice..and thanks very much to Martin adding little things to my Startools work flow... soon I will be able to get serious and do darks and flats like the grown ups do...

alex

[Stephane]

Alex, a fine image you have produced here. This is what it’s all about: seizing those clear nights with good seeing, experimenting with settings, gaining insight from a community of fellow astrophotographers, and most of all, having fun. I think this image encapsulates all of the above. Well done.

[Dave882]

Top shot well done! Tonnes of beautiful detail especially in those wispy areas surrounding the core and lovely colour too! :thumbsup:

[Startrek]

Alex,
A superb M42 and running man for very little data ( incredible )
Trap is nicely exposed
One of your best !!!
The AutoDev is well controlled with brightness and shadows
Colour balance is spot on with not too much saturation
Noise grain / mottle is barely noticeable
You have utilised ST to work its magic and have processed a beautifully well balanced image
Well done !!

PS: I assumed you used SV Decon ? Stars have a little bit of ringing but that can be mitigated easily by using the De ringing detect and De ringing fuzz sliders

So glad the example ST workflow and some other docs has helped you

Now just add a few more hours on this one and some calibration (Flats and Bias ) Assuming you used the 2600MC ? You have so many rigs I get mixed up what your using for each image

Best
Martin

[floyd_2]

Great image Alex. You're really improving quickly now mate. I'll have to approach you for tips if I ever manage to get out under the stars again! You must be stoked with that pic.

[xelasnave]

Martin you missed me saying that I photoshopped the Trap in ..there was no core and it just had to be done..but I said so..I am flattered you thought it was real...You just darken the area and use the rubber tool to create stars where there were none....an image is following where it is legitimate...I stacked everything for this next image...
I really appreciate your help.

alex

[xelasnave]

Thank you.

alex

[xelasnave]

Thank you.
alex

[xelasnave]

Thank you.
alex

[xelasnave]

OK...I stacked everything I had..10 seconds and 5 seconds and just a few 5 seconds to establish the core..the core came out in the major stack but I added in the special core that I prepared..and then added the 120 subs and played around in startools and photoshop..probably had a better image an hour ago but you know how it goes you keep playing around...I just realise I forgot to adjust the colour it in Startools.. anyways next time.

alex

[oska]

Great shot Alex, absolutely wonderful. Perhaps a little nudge in the saturation?

[Nikolas]

The amount of nebulosity is there Alex nice work

[xelasnave]

done

[xelasnave]

Thank you
alex

[rustigsmed]

nice work Alex - looks like you've got your colours sorted!!

[Startrek]

I was so focused on the fact you processed a great result using ST, I did read it but by the time I wrote the post , forgot about the fudge with the trap
Not many folk use ST on the forum and when you see a great image processed with ST it’s quite exciting
Don’t hesitate to ask me any questions about ST if you stumble across any issues or are looking for a solution on a particular module.
Keep it going !
Cheers
Martin

[xelasnave]

Thanks Martin.
StarTools is a wonderful program and is grossely underestimated by everyone except those who have the good sense to use it...
Alex

[Crater101]

Another superb result. Well done! :thumbsup:

[xelasnave]

Thank you Warren.
Alex

[Doogs38]

Sooooo much nebulosity; another great image. I’m really impressed by the RASA and what you do with it, Alex. Keep ‘em coming. Alex

[xelasnave]

Thank you
Alex

[Kuz]

Top capture Alex , amazing how much light the rasa collects in a small amount of time

[xelasnave]

Thank you.

The best image I managed on M42 and that I posted some time back was only 10 subs and only an hour from recollection.

I am however starting to think that it is ultra sensitive to moisture in the air...that only just now occurred to me but I have noticed it can be very good but other times very bad..anyways I will look into that...

Thanks again.

It is a pity it is such a pain for narrow band but on the positive the OSC is better than I expected...,lucky I have the other two scopes running mono and 7 slot filter wheels...
Alex

[AstroViking]

I have to say Alex, your third image (m42crop.jpg) is a cool take on M42. The non-standard colours makes all the nebulous detail stand out more.