NGC6357 and NGC6334 - Reworked

[jase]

Hi All,
Here is another reworked image - The Galactic Plane Duo - NGC6357 and NGC6334 (http://www.cosmicphotos.com/gallery/image.php?fld_image_id=108&fld_album_id=11)

Excerpt from CWAS entry -
This photo is a LLRGB Hybrid composite with a total exposure time of 6.2 hours. Luminance was layered twice to manage detail and colour tones. The photo is a hybrid in that it encompasses data from two optical instruments of different focal lengths. The large sweeping wide field perspective and RGB colour data was collected using a Takahashi FSQ-106ED (530mm F/5) telescope (Luminance: 105min; R,G,B: 50min respectively). To improve the resolution of the two targets, Hydrogen-Alpha data (120min) was acquired using a Takahashi TOA-150 (1050mm F/7) and was subtly blended into the Luminance channel of the wide field image using Photoshop luminosity mode. As the stars of the Ha data were small and tight in appearance, the original background layer was duplicated and re-blended as lighten mode to allow the stars to once again appear naturally in size and colour. An SBIG STL11000M CCD camera was used with both optical instruments. The image processing goal for these two objects was to present them in their natural setting amongst the rich dusty star fields of the Milky Way galactic plane. The photo portrays the interstellar reddening phenomenon caused by this dusty region of the night sky, hence the general lack of young blue O and B spectral type stars.

I've present a 3000x2400 image for your viewing pleasure (2.5Mb). I can testify the print does not do this image much justice (don't like its chances). Please excuse the crop, as I wanted to display maximum detail - I prefer more space around the targets.

Cheers

[skeltz]

good going jase th,e nebulas look fantastic,swirling around and in and out,wish i could view the fullsize but i have gone way over my limit and have been throttled right down.
anyway must sneak outside and see how my eta is going!!!
First clear night in ages..there must be a god!!!
cheers mate.

[jase]

Thanks Rob. As mentioned in the SMC post, the integration of the TOA-150 was a royal pain in the b-side. Wasted so much timing getting everything tuned hardware wise, I only acquired 2 hours of measly data. Still the result appears ok, though I've looked at this image way to long. Thanks again for your comments.

[avandonk]

Great image Jase. I am sure it is a mirror image of the real objects. I notice this happens quite often with top end imaging cameras. Is there some reason for this that is inherent in these cameras and should be looked out for?

Below is your image flipped.

The image nevertheless shows great detail and proves the old adage, longer bigger and careful processing.

Bert

[renormalised]

Nicely done, jase!!!:)

I was just thinking, the neb that looks like a crab, I just thought of a good name for it..... the "mud crab":P:D

[jase]

Thanks Bert. Very observant. Indeed, the image has been flipped but not due to the equipment (though could have been if you were to consider camera orientation). I flipped the image to put NGC6357 into the top left corner for aesthetic reasons. I felt it compelling to place something at top left due to void. Similar to my previous NGC1365 post with the bright star. Some would simply crop this out. I read an article on general composition of images (all kinds, not just astro related). It was clear that as the western world reads from left to right, top to bottom, when possible a feature of some description placed top left of the frame allows the viewers eye to use as a reference point. I thought about this and decided to give this a go with the image. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Technically, there is nothing to look out for with these cameras. The only mirror image associated with the SBIG line of camera is the self guide chip. This is reflected via a mirror so that the guider can operate as close to the center of the optical light path. The imaging chip is not reflected so no mirror flip should be expected. I guess in the old days, you noted many astro images state north is up. This has somewhat become blurred as you can rotate and skew images to present them how you like it. Having seen your HDR posts of this region, you are all too familiar with the orientation. I'm pleased you challenged me on this and hope I've provided clarity on my intent. Thanks again for your comments Bert.:)



Thanks Renormalised. I think it looks like a lobster with its tail. With the limited Ha data I couldn't emphasise the tail enough without introducing noise so this was a compromise. You're on the money regarding mud crab considering the dusty/muddy coloured region.:). I wasn't too certain on the black point for this target. I think it could have been raised more. Not sure. Anyway thanks.

[Alchemy]

youve put up quite a display of superlative images, the neb 6357 is exquisite and deserves an image of its own, the slight dustiness throughout with the "holes' is interesting and i havent seen that before.

clive

[jase]

Cheers Clive. Yes, in fact I did think of only submitting either target (perhaps just NGC6334), but why not feast on the smorgasbord considering I spent time acquiring the Ha data on both targets. I may simply reprocess NGC6357 for the web site at full resolution. What is presented at the highest resolution is still reduced to 80%. I have a 12.5" RC version of NGC6334 which needs work on the colour combine (similar to that of the M83 image using FSQ RGB). There's always something different to learn.

[Ric]

Hi Jase, what can I say but another beauty.

I must say I am immensely enjoying the visual treat that you have been treating us to.

I hope it doesn't end to soon.

[strongmanmike]

Lovely image Jase (no photonduplicatoriser this time :P)

Mike

[Tamtarn]

A great wide field frame of the two objects capturing the outer nebulosity in each which we can't see at the focal length of our 8". Just beautiful Jase.

[jase]

Thanks Ric. All good things come to an end.:P Only have 4 CWAS images to present. I did however reprocess a few others, but they aren't finished. I'm certainly not resting. I've already started acquiring data for new seasonal targets. Stay tuned.



Ah Mike... You disappoint me, but thanks anyway.:)



Thanks Barb and David. I thoroughly enjoy this region with its dusty characteristics. I'm pleased you like the presented scene.