jase
16-04-2008, 09:23 PM
Hi All,
Well, it’s prime time of the year again for some fine winter targets. I just couldn’t let this mainstream object slip by another season so thought I’d get in early. So without further impediment, I’m pleased to present my latest effort M16 – The Eagle Nebula (http://www.cosmicphotos.com/gallery/image.php?fld_image_id=141&fld_album_id=11)
The Eagle Nebula (M16) is a prominent and active star forming region located in the constellation Serpens Cauda. The nebula is giant interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas and dust harboring the embryonic stages of stars. The young star cluster NGC6611, can be seen center of the frame. This stellar swarm is relatively young, being around 5.5 million years old and comprises of very hot young blue stars of the spectral type O6. The Eagle Nebula is approximately 7,000 light years distant.
The blurb for those interested…
The image is a Ha[HA+R]GB composite totalling 2.9 hours (Ha:70min;R:35;G:35;B:35). What?! Another GRAS number I hear you say. Indeed it is! I wasn’t going to give in to the star blooming problems that easily. What’s life without a challenge eh? Actually I think I’ve overcome my trepidation of blooms from the TOA150+ST10XME combo. Yeah, yeah, stars still aren’t perfectly round, but this is the best I can offer. My original intention was to only collect the Ha data, then later combine it with RGB collected from the FSQ, but I couldn’t resist nailing some RGB at this focal length to complete the mission. May still do a wide field composite with the data collected.
Not much to report on the processing. Usual drill with image calibration/registration. I paid a little more attention to the bloom removal process, at times going through individual subs one by one to validate the effect (I typically script the routine in MaximDL). Worked on the Ha data to bring out the details – two versions of deconvolution (different deconv. strengths) blended using lighten mode. Ha data blended into the red channel by 20%, before performing dual luminance layering to manage detail and colour. I prefer a more deeper vibrant red tone, compared to faded wussy salmon pink common with Ha blends. Re-layered the RGB stars as lighten mode. Worked ok, as the Ha stars were small and tight, but probably not the best option as I needed push the stars reasonably hard. Lost some spherical smoothness in the process – they look a little “crunchy” IMHO. Applied a few noise reduction masks to reduce dim areas and highlights – took considerable time. Minor colour saturation tweaks for the blue hue before finalising.
No more M16 prize winners for you Mr. Sidonio. ;)<kidding>:lol:
With the moon waxing, will need to wait until I can finish other projects. Though may delve into some narrowband again while I have the capacity to image. Anyway, thanks for looking and hope you enjoy it.
Cheers
Well, it’s prime time of the year again for some fine winter targets. I just couldn’t let this mainstream object slip by another season so thought I’d get in early. So without further impediment, I’m pleased to present my latest effort M16 – The Eagle Nebula (http://www.cosmicphotos.com/gallery/image.php?fld_image_id=141&fld_album_id=11)
The Eagle Nebula (M16) is a prominent and active star forming region located in the constellation Serpens Cauda. The nebula is giant interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas and dust harboring the embryonic stages of stars. The young star cluster NGC6611, can be seen center of the frame. This stellar swarm is relatively young, being around 5.5 million years old and comprises of very hot young blue stars of the spectral type O6. The Eagle Nebula is approximately 7,000 light years distant.
The blurb for those interested…
The image is a Ha[HA+R]GB composite totalling 2.9 hours (Ha:70min;R:35;G:35;B:35). What?! Another GRAS number I hear you say. Indeed it is! I wasn’t going to give in to the star blooming problems that easily. What’s life without a challenge eh? Actually I think I’ve overcome my trepidation of blooms from the TOA150+ST10XME combo. Yeah, yeah, stars still aren’t perfectly round, but this is the best I can offer. My original intention was to only collect the Ha data, then later combine it with RGB collected from the FSQ, but I couldn’t resist nailing some RGB at this focal length to complete the mission. May still do a wide field composite with the data collected.
Not much to report on the processing. Usual drill with image calibration/registration. I paid a little more attention to the bloom removal process, at times going through individual subs one by one to validate the effect (I typically script the routine in MaximDL). Worked on the Ha data to bring out the details – two versions of deconvolution (different deconv. strengths) blended using lighten mode. Ha data blended into the red channel by 20%, before performing dual luminance layering to manage detail and colour. I prefer a more deeper vibrant red tone, compared to faded wussy salmon pink common with Ha blends. Re-layered the RGB stars as lighten mode. Worked ok, as the Ha stars were small and tight, but probably not the best option as I needed push the stars reasonably hard. Lost some spherical smoothness in the process – they look a little “crunchy” IMHO. Applied a few noise reduction masks to reduce dim areas and highlights – took considerable time. Minor colour saturation tweaks for the blue hue before finalising.
No more M16 prize winners for you Mr. Sidonio. ;)<kidding>:lol:
With the moon waxing, will need to wait until I can finish other projects. Though may delve into some narrowband again while I have the capacity to image. Anyway, thanks for looking and hope you enjoy it.
Cheers