M8 Lagoon

[carlstronomy]

Quick image to share, the weather has been the best in Brisbane it has been for a year now. So I took the opportunity to smash out a few happy snaps after M20 and before the full moon :D

M8 Lagoon

80% of 400x 60sec subs 800ISO
Darks, flats and bias also used and stacked in DSS
Cleaned up in PS with Astronomy Tools.

8" Newtonian
MPCC III
Canon 700D
NEQ6 pro

[Doogs38]

Hasn't it been awesome in BrisVegas this past week! Sadly, not so this coming weekend dammit.

Thats a lovely image Carl, and I especially like the subtle colours and the range of colours. The background is very smooth, almost completely devoid of noise and that's what 400 subs do ... and some noise reduction too no doubt.

Did you use a NB filter, or is the a UV/IR cut filter only? Alex

[carlstronomy]

Alex, thanks mate. Yes bad weather this weekend but it coincides with the full moon, gives me chance to play with the SN-10.

After a fair amount of time with no imaging I purchased astronomy tools and have changed my processing to play with what it has to offer.

I am currently testing the deep space noise reduction. Not sure how I like it, as it takes a little detail from the DSO at the same time. I am using a 50% layer and considering lowering this to maybe 25% to see how it goes. I am after noise reduction but not perfection, I think a little noise is good. So I am on the fence, please let me know what you think.

I am not running a filter at all on the new camera yet. I have purchased an Astronomik CLS EOS APS-C clip in filter. I tried it on my 450D but this was a home modified camera and I found the filter killed my images and I could not fix in procossing.

Making the most of good skies so would rather take what I can get :) I spent too much of last season messing around and achieving nothing which was overly disappointing. Will mess around again soon once I get some fun out of the way :D

[oska]

Very nice Carl, I've got to agree With Alex on the palette. Good stuff.

[carlstronomy]

Second attempt at processing using a slightly different method.

I think this one may be better :question: But I like them both :lol:

[bobbyslogger]

Great shots - I just uploaded on another thread my first proper attempt at M8. My subs were only 15secs - I found more than that they seem blown out. How did yours look with the 1min sub?

[AstroViking]

Nice shot, Carl. Whilst I might disagree about the colours, I have to say that the stars look great - tight focus and sharp spikes are always a winner.

Enjoy the clear skies - it's been clouds and rain down here for ages.

Cheers,
V

[Dave882]

Nice work mate! My only comment might be I reckon you could stretch that further. With the amount of data you have I think you can easily expose some deeper nebulously. :thumbsup:

[carlstronomy]

Thanks everyone for your comments, was away all weekend so have not been able to respond.

Roberto, my stars in the subs look very much the same as the ones in the final image. No real blow out visible in them at all.

Steve, thanks mate. All good on the colours we are all different there :D I like to leave my colours as taken because if I could see the object from my backyard that is what I would see.

David, thank you. I gave it a go but I think I may have wrecked it :lol: New image attached.

[Dave882]

Yes you've definitely revealed a lot more of the nebula now. Looking great! The trick is to keep control of the bright core as you bring out that faint detail. If you can do that, you can probably even stretch it a bit further.
I've only ever used PS for final touches so couldn't give too much help here, but I know there's plenty of Youtube videos that will cover this, and otherson these forums who may be able to help.

[carlstronomy]

David, I am finding my issues in stretching the data is killing the dark sky with the RGB going below 10. The histogram moves all the way over to the left removing my ability to do much with it beyond where I am. I did this using layered curve adjustments which I learnt about after your advice. I need to watch a few more videos on stretching with PS.

Clear skies :thumbsup: