My first mono process LRGB and Ha

[TrevorW]

No DBF this processed using a script in SIRIL constructive feedback appreciated- :)

[Startrek]

Hi Trev,
Congrats on your first full Mono image in colour
In order to provide constructive feedback it would be good to know some details about your equipment, camera settings and sub exposure captures and so on …..and atmospheric conditions eg: guiding figures etc…
I’m assuming you captured data (Ha LRGB ) from only 1 night which seems no where enough if you are shooting Mono. I usually capture at least 8 hours of Luminance as a minimum and my capture ratio is around 3:1:1:1 ( LRGB ) or sometimes 2:1:1:1 depending on the target and moon phase. In Narrowband , Oiii really affected by LP and Moon glare so I capture Oiii when the moons influence it at a minimum. Since switching from OSC to Mono my images are comprised of many nights of data acquisition. OSC use to be a 1 night project , not any more.
This image whilst perfectly framed , seems somewhat blurry so could be focus , seeing , tracking or other processing issues. The colour seems a bit too saturated as well and the background is quite darkish, almost clipped ??
Of course only my feedback and opinion !!!
Early days yet so congrats on your first attempt at Mono and on and upwards from here
Clear Skies
Martin

[TrevorW]

Thanks Martin camera ZWO 1600GT mono with build in filter wheel scope EON110 ED - Bortle 6-7 skies full moon- tracking OK average 0.20 pix- focus not to sure about but generally the HFR was .43 - tried for the 3:1:1:1 around 4 hrs data in total - with some Ha thrown in :)

[Dave882]

Hi Trevor - congrats on your first mono image and taking the big into the mono world! I can't really say to much to the processing side since I'm OSC all the way... but the image does seem to lack sharp focus. I'm wondering if you refocussed between filters? It could be that just one of the sets of data was a bit soft. Look forward to seeing what you can produce with the new setup!

[TrevorW]

Hi David didn't refocus between filters I haven't yet set up autofocus in NINA :)

[Startrek]

Trev,
Glad you mentioned that as it’s more than likely the reason why the image seems a tad blurry
Most filter manufacturers ( including Antlia ) say their filters are parfocal , however mine are definitely not.
I refocus on filter change and refocus on the fly as well
Cheers
Martin

[TrevorW]

Martin I did not a shift in focus between filters from .37 to .47 yes, the Optolong filters I am using say parfocal as well :)

[Ryderscope]

Hi Trevor, congrats on moving into the mono world. The only additional feedback that I would offer is that it would seem that noise reduction has been applied a little too much resulting in a slight blotchiness apparent in the image, at least as far as I can tell from the attachment. Looks like you have a nice set up there Trevor that will serve you well and form a good platform to produce some top results.

CS,
Rodney

[Bodon]

Trevor, have fun using mono mate. Those optolong filters move minimal when auto focused...well mine do on the Asiair.

[CaptainCook]

Hi Trevor,
For what its worth I have parfocal (Astronomik) NB filters and don't have to change focus. One thing I do is view the data in FITs viewer and keep track on star size- my rule of thumb is if 3 consecutive subs increase in size I take a closer look- if it cannot be explained by guiding or seeing I'll check focus at that point.
If you live under a dark and regularly clear sky you're already winning- the hobby is virtually dead over here- certainly its pointless doing full mono. I have now given up on even acquiring the 3 NB filters per target and may revert to OSC if there's a hint of improvement next year. Last 3 years my clear hours per month has halved and halved again.
Cheers
Gary

[TrevorW]

Thanks all, steep learning curve with mono. I did do a somewhat of a reprocess of the image hoping to improve it but alas out of focus data, is out of focus :)

[CaptainCook]

Trevor,
Have you tried BXT?
I know earlier this year I had the worst data I'd ever got (1.2 to 1.4 arc s guiding) then got some better data later on that night: I compared the complete stack with the best stack and the FWHM, which was markedly different beforehand (visual & measured in PI), was the same after BXT.
Gary

[TrevorW]

Sorry don't use Pixinsight so I am not familiar with BXT :)