NGC253 - The Silver Coin Galaxy

[PhotonCollector]

Hi all,

Here's version 2 of my NGC253 image from last month.

It's a 90-minute exposure (30 x 3-min. sub-frames) @ ISO400 using the modded Canon 300D on my 12" F/5 and losmandy G-11 mount.

Higher Res. image and image details here
http://www.skylab.com.au/pmsa/ngc253_page3.html (http://www.skylab.com.au/pmsa/ngc253_page3.html)

[h0ughy]

Nice one, I dunno these people with observatories - you think they would show a crappy shot every now and then - not stuff like this!!! In envy - Mr Hough

[cahullian]

Wow that is a stunning shot.

Gazz

[erick]

Struggling with the conditions, I see:- "Seeing: 8/10. Wind: 0/10. Moisture: 0/10. Ambient Temp. 9°C" :)

That's a great image, Paul, many thanks!

[tornado33]

Very nice. Dark sky and plenty of detail. be interesting to see what magnitude limit it goes down to.
Scott

[gbeal]

Very nice image Paul, very nice.

[Ric]

A very nice image Paul, you've captured some very intricate details in the arms.

Cheers

[wysiwyg]

Very nice image :thumbsup:

NGC253 is definitely on my list of DSO's to photograph, thats if the weather ever improves. If its not clouds its the moon, cant win.:(

[jase]

Enjoy the composition Paul, but this one looks a little too "over-cooked". Background is really black (histogram appears clipped) and stars in the galaxy have black halos around them due to over sharpening. Perhaps a reprocess for a poor weather evening.

[leon]

I am definitely no expert when it comes to processing, :rolleyes: as we all know... however I can see what Jase is saying, However Paul, having said that, I would be hanging that one on my wall, well done indeed.

Leon :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Beautiful image Paul.

I've got a foot in both of the above camps.

I recently looked over many of my final images and was amazed that most had clipped black point histograms. They just looked more pleasing to the eye that way!!:shrug:
I'm find it hard to juggle the technical and the aesthetic a lot of the time.

Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[bluescope]

I tend towards the aesthetic, looks great, well done !

:thumbsup:

[Garyh]

Lovely and sharp and nice colors but just a little too dark on the background.
A wonderful image Paul!

[PhotonCollector]

Glad you all enjoyed looking at the image of NGC 253. Thanks for your kind
comments.

I do tend to agree though with some of you that it is "too cut" and the background is too dark. This was likely the result of a new image processing tool I used for the first time to flatten the background, though it seemed to look good at the time. :-)

Anyhow I've had another go at processing the image with "less cut" this
time and without the flatten background tool. It's still bit of a trade off
as there is still some gradient in the background of the image.

whadda ya's think ? is this image better ?

higher res. image here http://www.skylab.com.au/pmsa/ngc253_page3.html

[tornado33]

Ahh yes that is indeed better. I always like to just be able to see the sky background, that way nothing is lost. Ther faint outer detail is there and the inner parts not burnt out, excellent image.
Scott

[Tamtarn]

You can certainly see the difference between the two images on your web site Paul. Like what you have done there with the reprocessing and prefer the second image.

[h0ughy]

Thanks for the opportunity to have a hack at it Paul and show you what IP can do (and note in the right hands could be used to produce something great and remarkable, just not mine:lol::whistle:;)):thumbsup:

its not the best but it shows that Pauls raw data is not tooo bad (ok far better than what i can do:D ) same details as his original stacking - but just done in images plus and only digital development on auto and saved to photoshop to save for the web.

[5ash]

Great improvement Houghy.The skys more realistic , shouldnt be pitch black! The galaxy looks softer , more realistic.A great improvement on excellent data.
philip:thumbsup: