NGC6357 and NGC6334 in combined HA&colour in HDR

[avandonk]

Finally a bit of clear sky. Managed to have a go at these two dim nebs. They are effectively all HA as any O3 or Hbeta would be scattered and or absorbed by the dust between us and them.

Here is a bigger version 1.7MB
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~cheekyfish/ngc6357_6334.jpg

Details
Canon 5DH, 100ED at f/6.4,Hutech LPR filter and Astronomik HA filter.
Colour 5x(15s, 30s, 1m) at 400ISO, 5x(1m, 2m) at 800ISO. Taken after Moon set.
HA 5x(1m, 2m, 4m, 8m) at 800ISO. Taken with Moon.

ImagesPlus used to convert from RAW to TIFF and correct fo flats. RegiStar used for median stacking and obtaining identically sized stacked images differing only in exposure. EasyHDR used to produce an LDR image from HDR image for colour and HA data separately. Combined colour and HA with images plus.

Bert

[Ric]

Very rich and detailed Bert, the cats paw almost has a 3D effect showing through.

Top stuff

[Alchemy]

this is something that occured to me to be worth trying..... i like the effect, very punchy H-alpha detail.

[jase]

A pleasing rendition of these two targets Bert. I however feel you've over done the red channel. Perhaps something to do with the HDR process - I'm not entirely sure. There are a few blue stars in this region despite the dust causing the interstellar reddening phenomenon. You should be able to bring them out with some colour balance work. I've highlight the RGB channel difference in two forms (both PS) so you can visualise what I'm explaining. If you want to keep the intensity of the red, you could simply re-layer the RGB stars is one such option.

[h0ughy]

certainly is a nice field of view Bert. I do agree that it is a tad too red, but i don't mind it. The "black" areas on the edge of the image, is that due to the combining process?

[Garyh]

That Ha has bought out some detail! ex in the Catpaw
:thumbsup:

[tornado33]

The image scale is huge too, Like looking through a large telescope. Nice tight stars too.
Scott

[avandonk]

Here is a better version Jase I used a different method of combining in ImagesPlus.

Thanks Scott the 100ED with the Astrophysics FR/FF has a very flat and very high quality field.
The darkening along the bottom h0ughy is due to the mirror in the open position blocking some of the incident light. This is more obvious at faster apertures. This really only shows up when the image is really stretched to its limits.

Large image here 1.4MB
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~trlee8/ngc6357_6334_2.jpg


Bert

[jase]

Good stuff Bert. Much improved.