M1 - The Crab Nebula

[jase]

Hi All,
Been a while between posts, actually haven’t been online much as I’m presently OS for work. I had a glance through this forum to see some spectacular work of others. The overall quality is certainly improving. I’d thought I’d add my share by posting my latest effort;
M1 – The Crab Nebula (http://www.cosmicphotos.com/gallery/image.php?fld_image_id=163&fld_album_id=11)

The Crab Nebula (Messier 1) is a supernova remnant located in the constellation Taurus. It is believed that the remnant formed in 1054, recorded by Chinese and Arab astronomers. However it was first observed in the western world by John Bevis in 1731. The intricate knots of nebulosity twist and twirl due the violent winds of the stellar explosion. The Crab Nebula resides approximately 6,300 light years away.

Concise details on the image;
The image is an [L+R]RGB composite totaling 3 hours (Lum:65min;R,G,B:40min respectively). It was acquired on the Lightbuckets (http://www.lightbuckets.com) 24” RCOS operating at 4876 mm FL. To extract maximum detail on this image I reused the R channel data and blended it into the lum (20% lighten mode). This extracted the highlights (more contrast) and gave the desired depth I was after. Three renditions of the luminance were then pushed through different deconvolution strengths to further enhance features – these were introduced as luminosity layers, each carefully masked to minimize the effect on stars and/or features of the previous layer. RGB data was good, but contained a few gradients – suspect flat problem, but this didn’t hinder obtaining strong colour with minimal noise – though gradients are subtly present. I used the typical softlight blend of a hard stretch DDP and saturation to bring out the vibrant colours. Noise reduction performed using an invert mask. Minor colour balance tweaks etc. Stellar profiles, umm yeah, I balls’d them up. The image is a crop of a much larger frame, though the field is rather featureless with exception to a few faint fuzzy background galaxies.

Anyway, will try get online when I can.

Hope you enjoy and as always, all comments welcome.:)

Cheers

[leon]

It may have been a while in between post as you say Jase, but nothing has changed in the quality of your images, that is just brilliant, beautiful image.
You do some awesome work.

Leon

[RB]

I've been wondering where you've been Jase.

What a wonderful image this is, I can't believe the structure you've captured but also the grey cloud surrounding it.
This is just amazing.

Glad to see your work again.

Cheers

[Bassnut]

A striking image Jase, as expected. The colour and detail is awesome.

[jase]

Thanks Leon. Appreciate the kind words.:)



Cheers RB. Yes, work...it has consumed me. Presently operating out of Europe. Will be back in November sometime (I think), before I leave for AIC2008 (http://www.aicccd.com/) - can't wait. This is one of the joys of remote imaging...it can be done anywhere.:D



Cheers Fred. Pleased you like it.:)

[dugnsuz]

Beautiful work jase.
It actually looks like a crab shell - first time I've seen it actually resembling its name!!
Your stuff is too much man - it just blows me away!!!
Excellent.
Doug

[Ric]

A wonderfully intricate image Jase.

Images of M1 some forty years ago are what got me started in Amatuer Astronomy and it images like yours today that keep me hooked.

The colour and fine detail in this image is spectacular

[Hagar]

Wonderful image Jase. I noticed you were missing.

[jase]

Thanks Doug! :) Yeah, the fainter dusty regions make it more crab shell shaped. I stretched and masked the three different layers to gain finer control over each region of the nebula. A little more work, but the worth the effort. I never seem to settle on one routine - possibly my downfall (hit/miss consistency).



Hey Ric. Thanks for your comments. M1 may have a cult following - it is imaged often. I only acquired LRGB data, no Ha. Not sure how much more I'd extract with Ha alone. This would certainly make an incredible narrowband target. Geez - too many targets and not enough time.:)



Cheers Doug. Gone but not forgotten eh?;):lol: Will try get online when possible. Thanks again.

[Dennis]

Hi Jase

What a stunning rendition of this classical object! Like Ric, I have fond memories of M1 from some early reading adventures in astronomy. Back then, in my wildest dreams, I could not have imagined such cosmic masterpieces being produced by amateur astronomers.

The detail is breathtaking and I can only guess at the violence of the supernova that gave birth to this extraordinary tangle of nebulosity. I’m so grateful that I have a 1600x1200 LCD, allowing me to take this is with one gulp!

I must say, it will take me several cups of tea to work my way through the intricate structure revealed in this stunning portrait.

Nice to see you back!

Cheers

Dennis

PS – How was the imaging conference?

[iceman]

Wow, now that is very special. What a lovely image.

I too had missed you, glad to see you back! And with a spectacular re-entrance no doubt! :)

[jase]

Thanks Dennis. I concur, but not sure what makes M1 so classic or iconic. Perhaps its the mystery of an exploded star that intrigues the mind to search further for answers. Amateurs now have access to powerful instruments capable of serious research or in this case, producing memorable views of the glorious skies. Pleased to know that the image could accompany you during your cups of tea.;)

The conference hasn't started yet. I hope to get back to AU before I venture to the US. It starts November 14th thru to 16th. Friday 14th contains a full day of workshops on software, tools and processing in general. I hope this will step up my imaging to a new level...time will tell. Will be certain to report in - especially on the new hardware/software developments.

Thanks again for your comments.:)

[jase]

Cheers Mike.:) Hope to be around here a little more - time pending. What's happened to your deep sky imaging interests? Need to get out there and push the boundaries again I think.;):D

[iceman]

Yeh my interest in most things astronomy has waned in recent months. I've got a few widefield images i'm processing - although I forget how :( It has been aaaages.

I'm preferring to do the piggyback camera/lens stuff rather than through the telescope stuff.. for now. We'll see. Thanks for taking an interest.

[Carl O Beirnes]

OMG what a great image 24" RC wow

[Lester]

Outstanding image Jase, well done.

Where was the scope that you used? Just wondering how high up M1 was to get all that detail.

[Garyh]

Beautiful, bright and colorful..and of cause detailed! Never really noticed those blue filaments in M1 before....very nice Jase!
Good to see another post!
CS Gary

[vindictive666]

wow nice Jase

regards john :eyepop:

[Gary Clarke]

Wow, that is one fine image, one for the wall. Well done keep up the good work:):):)

[Tamtarn]

Another wonderful image Jase detail is spot on and the processing hasn't altered the softness in the stars.

Good to have you back again even though it's for a short while

[avandonk]

That is so good Jase that if you did it again next year you cannot add the data as the Crab Nebula's expansion would be evident. So you better be quick. The only thing I think I can add to all the other comments is that it looks more real than any version I have seen due to the subtle detail.

Bert

[jase]

Thanks Carl. Pleased you like it.:)



Cheers Lester. :) The scope is located in Rodeo, New Mexico (latitude +31). M1 crosses the meridian there at approx 80 degrees, so very close to zenith hence the resolution obtained.



Thanks Gary. Its an interesting target alright. I wasn't expecting to see the fainter extensions, but was surprised when I stretch the data hard that they began to come through. Will try not to make it such a long delay between posts (here's hoping). Thanks again.:thumbsup:



Thanks John!:D



Thanks Gary. Pleased you like it.:)



Cheers Barb and David. Its funny you mention the stars...personally I don't think I did a good job of managing them. Don't get me wrong, they aren't ghastly but I could have perhaps done things a little differently. Always room for improvement I guess. Thanks again.:thumbsup:



Thanks Bert. :) No more data to add to this one, but its a cool idea. Perhaps I'll target it again in several years time to evaluate changes to the nebula structure. I think the control over the details was key with the three layers, each masked. Still rather saturated for a natural feel.

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Thanks to all those who have made comment. Your support is appreciated.:)

[dugnsuz]

There's that anecdote about astrophysics being split into 2 camps - those that study the crab and those that don't!!
As our closest pulsar it's a perfect stellar laboratory I suppose!
Doug:thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Well that's just perfect.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

Super image of the Crab Jase, it looks very "real" and not like a manipulated space art painting (can be a fine line...). I really enjoyed looking at it closely, lots to see :thumbsup:

Was wondering where you were at, I was worried that all the (harmless) baggering regarding using big scopes at pro observatories for your imaging had sheeted you off a bit :P...anyway we love'em! :)

BTW see Peter Ward has the concept slightly reversed now, he has set-up his very own private Light-Buckets class installation in his Sydney backyard now then travels half way round the World only to log back in and image stuff here with it again.. ah, technology, love it! :lol:

Mike

[multiweb]

So fiery!...amazing shot :thumbsup:

[jase]

Thanks Greg. :) I must say, nice work on your new rig too. Looking forward to seeing more.



Cheers Mike. :D Yes, I've seen a few renditions that simply didn't do it for me. You can take the processing to the extreme and extract every ounce of detail, but is it still realistic? This data was exceptionally good and could have probably gone a few more iterations of deconvolution, but I'd end up doing my head in.
:lol: - No, no amount of baggering is going to stop me...certainly not when using big scopes at so-called "professional" observatories. Its about choosing the right instrument for the target to deliver the desired impact/effect I'm after. The crab doesn't look so crab like on a 530mm FSQ.;)

Yes, I've been monitoring Peter's remote imaging adventures. Its good to see. Anything to maximise data acquistion efficiency is a marvellous thing to improving the output. Spend more time in the processing. Lightbuckets class? - hmm, no. Equipment is one thing, but environment is another. Put the instrument under dark skies that have a track record of cloudless nights is what will provide the returns with high end gear. Operating such gear in the burbs is like installing a rev limiter on a Ferrari - difficult to reach its full potential. This is the reason why operators such as Lightbuckets and global-rent-a-scope have the dark clear skies (weeks on end of clouds impact revenue!)

Thanks again for your comments.:)



Thanks Marc.:thumbsup:

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Thanks again everyone.

[sjastro]

Great image Jase.

Steven

[Alchemy]

probably a bit late ..... but what a magnificent shot !!!!!!!!!